Tom Sikusambala Mabbanana

A free picture book in Tonga by Humphreys Odunga

Tom Sikusambala Mabbanana is a picture book in Tonga for ages 5–8 by Humphreys Odunga that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language

Tonga

Written by

Humphreys Odunga

Illustrated by

Zablon Alex Nguku

Translated by

Chester Mwanza

Reading level

ages 5–8 · kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 2 · First sentences

From

Zambia

Source

Global Storybooks

Licence

CC BY 4.0

Price

Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Tom Sikusambala Mabbanana is a short illustrated picture book in Tonga by Humphreys Odunga, illustrated by Zablon Alex Nguku and translated by Chester Mwanza. 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 Tonga. 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 wanyamuna mabbanana abizwide mucinzuma. Tom waunka kumusyika kukusambala mabbanana. Bantu kumusyika baula michelo. Pesi kunyina uula mabbanana akwe Tom. Balombozya kuula micelo kuli bamakaintu. “Muminzi yesu mbaamakaintu balo basambala michelo,” bantu baamba. “Mwaalumi wamusyobo nzi ooyu?” bantu babuzya. Tom…

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 Sikusambala Mabbanana” is also available in:

• Afrikaans · Tom, die piesangverkoper
• Bemba · Tomu kashitisha wa nkonde
• English · Tom the banana seller
• Jamaican Creole · Taam Di Banaana-Man
• Kaonde · Tom Musulu Wamakonde
• Khoekhoegowab · Tommi banana ǁamaxū-aob
• Kiswahili · Tom muuza ndizi
• Lukhonzo · Tom omusuburi w’ameeru
• Lunda · Tom namukakulandisha makondi
• Lunyole · Tom omutundi w’amalafu
• Luvale · Tom mukakulanjisa makonde
• Mauritian Creole · Tom marsan banann
• Nyanja · Tom ogulitsa nthoci
• Oshikwanyama · Tom omulandifi womabanana
• Oshindonga · Tom omulandithi gwomambanana
• Otjiherero · Tom omurandise wovipanana
• Sesotho · Tom ya rekisang dipanana
• Somali · Tom muus iibiyaha
• Spanish · Tom, el vendedor de plátanos
• Swati · Themba umtsengisi wabhanana
• Tswana · Tom morekisi wa dipanana
• Xhosa · UTom, umthengisi webhanana

Reading together in Tonga

• 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 Tonga

• Bbuku Lyabweende Bwaluwo
• Bana Babunzuka
• Zama Mukali!
• Nkuku a Joongolo
• Simbegwire
• Kolanga Banyama
• Ino Ucita Nzi?
• Cisubulo

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Tom Sikusambala Mabbanana” free to read?

Yes. “Tom Sikusambala Mabbanana” 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 Sikusambala Mabbanana” in?

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

What age is “Tom Sikusambala Mabbanana” for?

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

Is “Tom Sikusambala Mabbanana” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Tom Sikusambala Mabbanana”?

“Tom Sikusambala Mabbanana” was written by Humphreys Odunga and illustrated by Zablon Alex Nguku; the Tonga translation is by Chester Mwanza.

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Credits: Tom Sikusambala Mabbanana — Written by Humphreys Odunga; Illustrated by Zablon Alex Nguku; Translated by Chester Mwanza. Tonga, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=13627). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026