Swiambalo swa xikolo

Name: Swiambalo swa xikolo
Availability: InStock
Author: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi

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

Cover of Swiambalo swa xikolo, a Tsonga picture book

Swiambalo swa xikolo is a picture book in Tsonga 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: Tsonga
Written by: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi
Illustrated by: Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter
Translated by: Candy Hlatshwayo
Reading level: ages 2–8 · preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 1 · First words
From: South Africa
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY-NC 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Swiambalo swa xikolo is a short illustrated picture book in Tsonga by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi, illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter and translated by Candy Hlatshwayo. 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 Tsonga. 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 30 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Rhoko leri ri lehile. Jesi leri i rikulu. Nkwama lowu i wukulu. Bandi leri ri… Xihuku lexi i xitsongo. Masokisi ya komile. Kambe tintangu leti hi letintshwa. …ti ringana kahle. Swiambalo swa xikolo — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla,…

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. “Swiambalo swa xikolo” is also available in:

Reading together in Tsonga

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 Tsonga

See all 56 free Tsonga books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Swiambalo swa xikolo” free to read?

Yes. “Swiambalo swa xikolo” 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 “Swiambalo swa xikolo” in?

It is written in Tsonga. Pagine has 56 free children’s books in Tsonga.

What age is “Swiambalo swa xikolo” for?

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

Is “Swiambalo swa xikolo” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Kiswahili, Kikuyu, Kikamba, Kimaasai, Turkana and more.

Who wrote “Swiambalo swa xikolo”?

“Swiambalo swa xikolo” was written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi and illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter; the Tsonga translation is by Candy Hlatshwayo.

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Credits: Swiambalo swa xikolo — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; Illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter; Translated by Candy Hlatshwayo. Tsonga, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (southafricareads.org), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=1794). CC BY-NC 3.0. · Page updated October 2026