PagineStraf
A free picture book in Afrikaans by Adelheid Marie Bwire
Straf is a picture book in Afrikaans for ages 5–8 by Adelheid Marie Bwire that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Afrikaans
- Written by
- Adelheid Marie Bwire
- Illustrated by
- Melany Pietersen
- Translated by
- Helena Vilonel
- Reading level
- ages 5–8 · kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 2 · First sentences
- From
- South Africa, Namibia
- Source
- Global Storybooks
- Licence
- CC BY 3.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Straf is a short illustrated picture book in Afrikaans by Adelheid Marie Bwire, illustrated by Melany Pietersen and translated by Helena Vilonel. It is written for ages 5–8 (Grades 1–2) and is graded as Level 2 · First sentences, so it works as a read-aloud for little ones and as practice for children learning to read in Afrikaans. The book comes from Global Storybooks and is shared under an open CC BY 3.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 22 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).
How it begins
Eendag het Mamma ‘n klomp vrugte gekry. “Wanneer kan ons van die vrugte kry?” vra ons. “Ons sal die vrugte vanaand eet,” sê Mamma. My broer Rahim is gulsig. Hy proe aan al die vrugte. Hy eet ‘n klomp daarvan.…Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY 3.0).
This story in other languages
Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “Straf” is also available in:
- Bemba · Ukukandwa
- Jamaican Creole · Ponishment
- Kaonde · Kukambula
- Khoekhoegowab · ǁKharab
- Kiswahili · Adhabu
- Luganda · Ekibonerezo
- Lukhonzo · Ekifubiro
- Lunda · Kubabesha
- Luvale · Kuzangamisa
- Mauritian Creole · Pinision
- Nyanja · Cilango
- Oshikwanyama · Ehandukilo
- Oshindonga · Egeelo
- Otjiherero · Omberero
- Sesotho · Kotlo
- Somali · Ciqaab
- South Ndebele · Isijeziso sakaThemba
- Spanish · Castigo
- Tonga · Cisubulo
- Tswana · Katlholo
- Xhosa · Isihlwayo
- Zulu · Umhobholo
Reading together in Afrikaans
- 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 Afrikaans
Mev Pikkewyn se Perfekte Paleis
’n Dag Uit
Koning Kaja en sy Dogter
'n Warm Saterdag
Groot Blou Bus
Wat Ek Graag Doen
Tel die diere
Twee
See all 143 free Afrikaans books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Straf” free to read?
Yes. “Straf” 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 3.0).
What language is “Straf” in?
It is written in Afrikaans. Pagine has 143 free children’s books in Afrikaans.
What age is “Straf” for?
It is best for ages 5–8 (Level 2 · First sentences). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Straf” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in Kiswahili, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Tswana, Sesotho and more.
Who wrote “Straf”?
“Straf” was written by Adelheid Marie Bwire and illustrated by Melany Pietersen; the Afrikaans translation is by Helena Vilonel.
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Get the free app →Credits: Straf — Written by Adelheid Marie Bwire; Illustrated by Melany Pietersen; Translated by Helena Vilonel; Read by Helena Vilonel. Afrikaans, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (southafricareads.org), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=11989). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026