PagineOnani Nyama
A free picture book in Nyanja by Jenny Katz
Onani Nyama is a picture book in Nyanja for ages 2–8 by Jenny Katz that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Nyanja
- Written by
- Jenny Katz
- Illustrated by
- Sandy Campbell
- Translated by
- David Sani Mwanza
- Reading level
- ages 2–8 · preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 1 · First words
- From
- Zambia
- Source
- Global Storybooks
- Licence
- CC BY-NC 3.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Onani Nyama is a short illustrated picture book in Nyanja by Jenny Katz, illustrated by Sandy Campbell and translated by David Sani Mwanza. 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 Nyanja. 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 25 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).
How it begins
Onani nyama. Ng’ombe inena “Moo.” Mbuzi inena “Meh, meh.” Hosi inena “Nei.” Nkhumba inena “Gluuuu.” Nkhuku inena “Kokoliko.” Galu anena “Hu, hu, hu.” Mlimi anena “Shhh!” Onani Nyama — Written by Jenny Katz; Illustrated by Sandy Campbell; Translated by David…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. “Onani Nyama” is also available in:
- Afrikaans · Kyk na die diere
- Ateso · Ongolia Ityiang Lu
- Bemba · Mona Inama
- English · Look at the animals
- Hausa · Kalli Dabbobin
- Jamaican Creole · Luk Pan Di Animal Dem
- Kaonde · Mona Banyama
- Khoekhoegowab · Kō re xamarina
- Kiswahili · Tazama wanyama
- Lukhonzo · Erithungerera ebisoro
- Lunda · Tala tunyama
- Lunyole · Bona esolo
- Luvale · Tala tunyama
- Mauritian Creole · Get bann zanimo
- Oshikwanyama · Tala koinamwenyo
- Oshindonga · Tala kiinamwenyo
- Otjiherero · Tara ovipuka
- Sepedi · Diphoofolo tša ka gae
- Sesotho · Sheba diphoofolo
- Somali · Fiiri xayawaanada
- Spanish · Mira a los animales
- Tonga · Kolanga Banyama
- Tswana · Leba ditshedi
- Xhosa · Izilwanyana zasekhaya
- Zulu · Izilwane zasepulazini
Reading together in Nyanja
- 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 Nyanja
Osati Tsopano, Osati Tsopano!
Zovala Zanga Zakusukulu
Tsitsi
Thupi Langa
Khalai alankhula ku Zomela
Kambewu kangóno: Nkhani ya Wangari Maathai
Kubwezela kwa Olozela kuli njuci
Kalulu Munsi Mwa Mutengo
See all 105 free Nyanja books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Onani Nyama” free to read?
Yes. “Onani Nyama” 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 “Onani Nyama” in?
It is written in Nyanja. Pagine has 105 free children’s books in Nyanja.
What age is “Onani Nyama” for?
It is best for ages 2–8 (Level 1 · First words). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Onani Nyama” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in English, Hausa, Kiswahili, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa and more.
Who wrote “Onani Nyama”?
“Onani Nyama” was written by Jenny Katz and illustrated by Sandy Campbell; the Nyanja translation is by David Sani Mwanza.
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Get the free app →Credits: Onani Nyama — Written by Jenny Katz; Illustrated by Sandy Campbell; Translated by David Sani Mwanza; Read by Christine Mwanza. Nyanja, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=1221). CC BY-NC 3.0. · Page updated October 2026