Tshwetso

A free picture book in Tswana by Ursula Nafula

Tshwetso is a picture book in Tswana for ages 5–8 by Ursula Nafula that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language

Tswana

Written by

Ursula Nafula

Illustrated by

Vusi Malindi

Translated by

Domitilla Naledi Madi

Reading level

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

From

South Africa, Namibia

Source

Global Storybooks

Licence

CC BY 4.0

Price

Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Tshwetso is a short illustrated picture book in Tswana by Ursula Nafula, illustrated by Vusi Malindi and translated by Domitilla Naledi Madi. 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 Tswana. 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

Motse wa me o na le mathata a le mantsi. Re dira lotheto lo lo leele go tsaya metsi go tswa mo kraneng e le nngwe. Re leta dijo tse di abiwang ke ba bangwe. Re tswala matlo a rona…

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. “Tshwetso” is also available in:

• Afrikaans · Die Besluit
• Bemba · Ukusalapo
• English · Decision
• Jamaican Creole · Disizhan
• Kaonde · Kufuukula
• Khoekhoegowab · Mîǁguib
• Kichaga · Irikiana
• Kiswahili · Uamuzi
• Lukhonzo · Eritwamo
• Lunda · Kuzhina
• Luvale · Kusakula
• Mauritian Creole · Desizion
• Nyanja · Ganizo
• Oshikwanyama · Etokolo
• Oshindonga · Etokolo
• Otjiherero · Omazuvasaneno
• Sesotho · Qeto
• Somali · Go’aan
• Spanish · La decisión
• Tonga · Kusala
• Turkana · Atiakun Akiroit
• Xhosa · Isigqibo

Reading together in Tswana

• 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 Tswana

• Letsatsi le le Ntle
• Pula, Pula Naa
• Mpho ya ga Mogau
• Yapo O Re Direla Letsatsi
• Go bala diphologolo
• Kwena e e ne e tshwerwe ke tlala
• Apaya
• Katlholo

See all 103 free Tswana books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Tshwetso” free to read?

Yes. “Tshwetso” 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 “Tshwetso” in?

It is written in Tswana. Pagine has 103 free children’s books in Tswana.

What age is “Tshwetso” for?

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

Is “Tshwetso” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Tshwetso”?

“Tshwetso” was written by Ursula Nafula and illustrated by Vusi Malindi; the Tswana translation is by Domitilla Naledi Madi.

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Credits: Tshwetso — Written by Ursula Nafula; Illustrated by Vusi Malindi; Translated by Domitilla Naledi Madi. Tswana, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (southafricareads.org), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=13304). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026