Uamuzi

A free picture book in Kiswahili by Ursula Nafula

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

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Language

Kiswahili

Written by

Ursula Nafula

Illustrated by

Vusi Malindi

Translated by

Ursula Nafula

Reading level

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

From

Kenya

Source

Global Storybooks

Licence

CC BY 4.0

Price

Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Uamuzi is a short illustrated picture book in Kiswahili by Ursula Nafula, illustrated by Vusi Malindi and translated by Ursula Nafula. 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 Kiswahili. 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

Kijiji changu kilikuwa na matatizo mengi. Tulipanga foleni ndefu tukisubiri kuchota maji kutoka mfereji mmoja. Tulisubiri kupokea msaada wa chakula. Tulifunga nyumba zetu mapema kwasababu ya wizi. Watoto wengi waliacha shule. Wasichana wadogo walifanya kazi za nyumbani kwenye vijiji vingine.…

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. “Uamuzi” is also available in:

• Afrikaans · Die Besluit
• Bemba · Ukusalapo
• English · Decision
• Jamaican Creole · Disizhan
• Kaonde · Kufuukula
• Khoekhoegowab · Mîǁguib
• Kichaga · Irikiana
• 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
• Tswana · Tshwetso
• Turkana · Atiakun Akiroit
• Xhosa · Isigqibo

Reading together in Kiswahili

• 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 Kiswahili

• Mbuzi, Mbwa na Ng’ombe
• Alichokisema dada yake Vusi
• Nyuki na Tembo
• Binti wa Mflame Kayanja
• Mvulana aliyechukiwa na wote
• Lodipo amtoroka mama
• Akai afurahi
• Ndogo sana, Kubwa sana

See all 100 free Kiswahili books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Uamuzi” free to read?

Yes. “Uamuzi” 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 “Uamuzi” in?

It is written in Kiswahili. Pagine has 100 free children’s books in Kiswahili.

What age is “Uamuzi” for?

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

Is “Uamuzi” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Uamuzi”?

“Uamuzi” was written by Ursula Nafula and illustrated by Vusi Malindi; the Kiswahili translation is by Ursula Nafula.

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Credits: Uamuzi — Written by Ursula Nafula; Illustrated by Vusi Malindi; Translated by Ursula Nafula; Read by Lauwo George. Kiswahili, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-kenya), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=13304). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026