Olotí aláshe túrúáí

Name: Olotí aláshe túrúáí
Availability: InStock
Author: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi

A free picture book in Kimaasai by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi

Cover of Olotí aláshe túrúáí, a Kimaasai picture book

Olotí aláshe túrúáí is a picture book in Kimaasai for ages 2–8 by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Kimaasai
Written by: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi
Illustrated by: Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter
Translated by: Leonard Kotikash
Reading level: ages 2–8 · preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 1 · First words
From: Kenya, Tanzania
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY-NC 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Olotí aláshe túrúáí is a short illustrated picture book in Kimaasai by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi, illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter and translated by Leonard Kotikash. It is written for ages 2–8 (Nursery–Year 1) and is graded as Level 1 · First words, so it works as a read-aloud for little ones and as practice for children learning to read in Kimaasai. The book comes from Global Storybooks and is shared under an open CC BY-NC 3.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 33 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Óre peê ainyotóto náínok enkímá. Náílang’ílang enkáre náísújare. Náíper ilkeék. Náíng’olíng’ol emotí ayíér endáa. Náor oltírén. Náísuj intokitín. Káínyoo peê aás esíaai nabá injí ópeny? … amû egíra olálashe lái aigurán. Olotí aláshe túrúáí — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani…

Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY-NC 3.0).

This story in other languages

Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “Olotí aláshe túrúáí” is also available in:

Reading together in Kimaasai

Read it aloud first, pointing at the pictures; then let your child “read” the pictures back to you.
Ask open questions: what happened, how did the character feel, what would you do?
Growing up with two languages? Talk about the story in whichever language feels easiest — the understanding carries over.

More free books in Kimaasai

See all 11 free Kimaasai books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Olotí aláshe túrúáí” free to read?

Yes. “Olotí aláshe túrúáí” is free to read online in Pagine on any phone, tablet or computer — no payment and nothing to download. It is openly licensed (CC BY-NC 3.0).

What language is “Olotí aláshe túrúáí” in?

It is written in Kimaasai. Pagine has 11 free children’s books in Kimaasai.

What age is “Olotí aláshe túrúáí” for?

It is best for ages 2–8 (Level 1 · First words). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Olotí aláshe túrúáí” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Kiswahili, Kikamba, Turkana, Somali, Zulu and more.

Who wrote “Olotí aláshe túrúáí”?

“Olotí aláshe túrúáí” was written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi and illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter; the Kimaasai translation is by Leonard Kotikash.

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Credits: Olotí aláshe túrúáí — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; Illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter; Translated by Leonard Kotikash. Kimaasai, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-kenya), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=2896). CC BY-NC 3.0. · Page updated October 2026