PagineUlilitha Noluniko Batyelela Umakhulu Wabo
A free picture book in Xhosa by Violet Otieno
Ulilitha Noluniko Batyelela Umakhulu Wabo is a picture book in Xhosa for ages 8–11 by Violet Otieno that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Xhosa
- Written by
- Violet Otieno
- Illustrated by
- Catherine Groenewald
- Translated by
- Xolisa Guzula
- Reading level
- ages 8–11 · 3rd to 5th grade · Level 4 · Longer paragraphs
- From
- South Africa
- Source
- Global Storybooks
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Ulilitha Noluniko Batyelela Umakhulu Wabo is a short illustrated picture book in Xhosa by Violet Otieno, illustrated by Catherine Groenewald and translated by Xolisa Guzula. It is written for ages 8–11 (Grades 3–4) and is graded as Level 4 · Longer paragraphs, so it works as a read-aloud for little ones and as practice for children learning to read in Xhosa. 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 21 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).
How it begins
ULilitha noLuniko babehlala esixekweni notata wabo. Babekulangazelela kakhulu ukuya eholideyini. Babengafuni nje ukuba izikolo zivalwe kodwa babefuna ukuya kutyelela umakhulu wabo. Wayehlala elalini enechibi elikhulu ekulotywayo kulo. ULilitha noLuniko bachulumanca lakufika ixesha lokuyokutyelela umakhulu kwakhona. Phezolo, ngobusuku obungaphambili bapakisha iibhegi…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. “Ulilitha Noluniko Batyelela Umakhulu Wabo” is also available in:
- Asante Twi · Kɔsra Wɔn Nanabaa
- Bemba · Cuuti kuli bamaama
- Dhopadhola · Ywomirok Bothi Adhadha
- Jamaican Creole · Alidie wid Granmaa
- Kaonde · Moba Akukokoloka na ba Nkambo Babakazhi
- Kichaga · Enda Irikira Mai
- Kiswahili · Likizo kwa bibi
- Lukhonzo · Ekihumuro E’wamukaka
- Lunda · Hakunoka na nkanka wamubanda
- Lunyole · Ohuŋumulira ewa nguhwa
- Luvale · Makumbi akunokha nakhaka waphwevo
- Mauritian Creole · Vakans kot granmer
- Sepedi · Re etela koko
- Somali · Fasaxyadii lala joogay ayeeyo
- Spanish · De vacaciones con la abuela
- Tonga · Mupumuno kuli Baneene
- Tsonga · Ku Endzela Kokwana Wa Xisati Hi Tiholideyi
- Tswana · Nako ya boikhutso le mmemogolo
- Turkana · Akilakin Ata Egolitoe Esukul
- Venda · Holodeyi Na Makhulu
- Zulu · Umondli Nombali Bavakashela Ugogo Wabo
Reading together in Xhosa
- 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 Xhosa
Itheko lokuPhunga likaTlotlego
Ingonyamakazi Edinwe Kakhulu
Izihlangu zikaSbu ezikhethekileyo
Intlanzi Kunye Nesipho
Ukumkanikazi waseSoweto: Ibali likaBasetsana Kumalo
Ingubo Yam eKhethekileyo
Kanye njengam
USindi neNyanga
See all 145 free Xhosa books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Ulilitha Noluniko Batyelela Umakhulu Wabo” free to read?
Yes. “Ulilitha Noluniko Batyelela Umakhulu Wabo” 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 “Ulilitha Noluniko Batyelela Umakhulu Wabo” in?
It is written in Xhosa. Pagine has 145 free children’s books in Xhosa.
What age is “Ulilitha Noluniko Batyelela Umakhulu Wabo” for?
It is best for ages 8–11 (Level 4 · Longer paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Ulilitha Noluniko Batyelela Umakhulu Wabo” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in Turkana, Somali, Zulu, Sepedi, Tswana, Tsonga and more.
Who wrote “Ulilitha Noluniko Batyelela Umakhulu Wabo”?
“Ulilitha Noluniko Batyelela Umakhulu Wabo” was written by Violet Otieno and illustrated by Catherine Groenewald; the Xhosa translation is by Xolisa Guzula.
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Get the free app →Credits: Ulilitha Noluniko Batyelela Umakhulu Wabo — Written by Violet Otieno; Illustrated by Catherine Groenewald; Translated by Xolisa Guzula. Xhosa, Level 4. From Global Storybooks (southafricareads.org), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=12084). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026