Tomu kashitisha wa nkonde

A free picture book in Bemba by Humphreys Odunga

Tomu kashitisha wa nkonde is a picture book in Bemba for ages 5–8 by Humphreys Odunga that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language

Bemba

Written by

Humphreys Odunga

Illustrated by

Zablon Alex Nguku

Translated by

Sandra Mulesu

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

Tomu kashitisha wa nkonde is a short illustrated picture book in Bemba by Humphreys Odunga, illustrated by Zablon Alex Nguku and translated by Sandra Mulesu. 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 Bemba. 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 alasenda ulupe lwa nkonde ishapya. Tom alaya ku maliketi mu kushitisha inkonde. Abantu pa maliketi baleeshita ifitwalo. Nomba tapali nangu umo uuleshita kuli Tomu. “Mu mushi wesu, banamaayofye ebashitisha ifitwalo,” efilanda abantu. “Mwaume wa musango shani uyu?” efyo bepusha.…

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. “Tomu kashitisha wa nkonde” is also available in:

• Afrikaans · Tom, die piesangverkoper
• 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
• Tonga · Tom Sikusambala Mabbanana
• Tswana · Tom morekisi wa dipanana
• Xhosa · UTom, umthengisi webhanana

Reading together in Bemba

• 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 Bemba

• Ulubuto Lunoono: Ilyashi lya pali Wangari Maathai
• Icilandushi ca ŋuni
• Ifyo ngumfwa
• Ibuuku lya pamiceele
• Abaana bepula
• Zama Alicenjela!
• Inkoko ne Ciyongoli
• Simbegwire

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Tomu kashitisha wa nkonde” free to read?

Yes. “Tomu kashitisha wa nkonde” 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 “Tomu kashitisha wa nkonde” in?

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

What age is “Tomu kashitisha wa nkonde” for?

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

Is “Tomu kashitisha wa nkonde” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Tomu kashitisha wa nkonde”?

“Tomu kashitisha wa nkonde” was written by Humphreys Odunga and illustrated by Zablon Alex Nguku; the Bemba translation is by Sandra Mulesu.

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Credits: Tomu kashitisha wa nkonde — Written by Humphreys Odunga; Illustrated by Zablon Alex Nguku; Translated by Sandra Mulesu. Bemba, 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