Pala

A free picture book in Nyanja from StoryWeaver

Pala is a picture book in Nyanja for ages 2–8 that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language

Nyanja

Publisher

StoryWeaver

Reading level

ages 2–8 · preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade · Leveled reader

Source

Global Digital Library

Licence

CC BY 4.0

Price

Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Pala is a short illustrated picture book in Nyanja. It is written for ages 2–8 and is graded as Leveled reader, so it works as a read-aloud for little ones and as practice for children learning to read in Nyanja. The book comes from the Global Digital Library and is shared under an open CC BY 4.0 licence, which is why it is free to read.

How it begins

Pala Authors: Hlengiwe Zondi , Zimbili Dlamini Illustrator: Catherine Groenewald Translator: Bether Mwale Moyo Zama anali kukonzekela kuyenda kusukulu. Atate anali kupika pala yakuseni. “Amai aziba kupika pala yabwino kwambili!” anati Zama. Zama imamupasa mpamvu zakusukuku pala. Pala yapya. Atate…

Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY 4.0).

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

• Wodzala ndi wofu-wofu
• Ng’wena yanjala
• Kuphika
• Tom ogulitsa nthoci
• Mbuzi, Galu ndi Ng’ombe
• Nozibele ndi Tsitsi itatu
• Kulimba Mutima Kwa Nangila
• Fati ndi m'phika wa msunzi

See all 105 free Nyanja books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Pala” free to read?

Yes. “Pala” 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 4.0).

What language is “Pala” in?

It is written in Nyanja. Pagine has 105 free children’s books in Nyanja.

What age is “Pala” for?

It is best for ages 2–8 (Leveled reader). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

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Credits: Pala — StoryWeaver, via the Global Digital Library. CC BY 4.0. Source: https://content.digitallibrary.io/ny/book/pala/ · Page updated October 2026