Tom marsan banann

Name: Tom marsan banann
Availability: InStock
Author: Humphreys Odunga

A free picture book in Mauritian Creole by Humphreys Odunga

Cover of Tom marsan banann, a Mauritian Creole picture book

Tom marsan banann is a picture book in Mauritian Creole for ages 5–8 by Humphreys Odunga that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Mauritian Creole
Written by: Humphreys Odunga
Illustrated by: Zablon Alex Nguku
Translated by: Shameem Oozeerally & MIE French Students
Reading level: ages 5–8 · kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 2 · First sentences
From: Mauritius
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 4.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Tom marsan banann is a short illustrated picture book in Mauritian Creole by Humphreys Odunga, illustrated by Zablon Alex Nguku and translated by Shameem Oozeerally & MIE French Students. 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 Mauritian Creole. The book comes from Global Storybooks and is shared under an open CC BY 4.0 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

Tom sarye enn plato banann mir. Tom al bazar pou vann banann. Bann dimounn dan bazar aste frwi. Selman, personn pa aste banann Tom. Zot prefer aste zot frwi ek bann madam. « Dan nou kominote, zis bann madam vann…

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

This story in other languages

Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “Tom marsan banann” is also available in:

Reading together in Mauritian Creole

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 Mauritian Creole

See all 40 free Mauritian Creole books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Tom marsan banann” free to read?

Yes. “Tom marsan banann” 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 “Tom marsan banann” in?

It is written in Mauritian Creole. Pagine has 40 free children’s books in Mauritian Creole.

What age is “Tom marsan banann” for?

It is best for ages 5–8 (Level 2 · First sentences). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Tom marsan banann” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Kiswahili, Somali, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Tswana and more.

Who wrote “Tom marsan banann”?

“Tom marsan banann” was written by Humphreys Odunga and illustrated by Zablon Alex Nguku; the Mauritian Creole translation is by Shameem Oozeerally & MIE French Students.

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Credits: Tom marsan banann — Written by Humphreys Odunga; Illustrated by Zablon Alex Nguku; Translated by Shameem Oozeerally & MIE French Students. Mauritian Creole, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-mauritius), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=13627). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026