PagineUlubuto Lunoono: Ilyashi lya pali Wangari Maathai
A free picture book in Bemba by Nicola Rijsdijk
Ulubuto Lunoono: Ilyashi lya pali Wangari Maathai is a picture book in Bemba for ages 5–11 by Nicola Rijsdijk that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Bemba
- Written by
- Nicola Rijsdijk
- Illustrated by
- Maya Marshak
- Translated by
- Theresa Mwewa
- Reading level
- ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs
- From
- Zambia
- Source
- Global Storybooks
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Ulubuto Lunoono: Ilyashi lya pali Wangari Maathai is a short illustrated picture book in Bemba by Nicola Rijsdijk, illustrated by Maya Marshak and translated by Theresa Mwewa. It is written for ages 5–11 (Grades 2–3) and is graded as Level 3 · First paragraphs, 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 21 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).
How it begins
Mu mushi waba mumbali ya lupili lwa Kenya ku kabanga mu Africa, umukashana umwaice aalebomba na banyina mwibala. Ishina lyakwe aali ni Wangari. Wangari alitemenwe ukusangwa panse. Aaleimbaula umushili no lupanga mwibala lyabo. Aabyele utuseke utunoono mu mushili wakabilila. Inshita…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. “Ulubuto Lunoono: Ilyashi lya pali Wangari Maathai” is also available in:
- Afrikaans · ‘n Klein saadjie: Die verhaal van Wangari Maathai
- Hausa · Mitsitsin Iri: Labarin Wangari Maathai
- Jamaican Creole · Wahn Biini Siid: Di Stuori Bout Wangaari Matai
- Kaonde · Kalukunwa Kakacheeche; Jishimikila jakwa Wangari Maatai
- Khoekhoegowab · ǂKhari ǃKhomros: Wangari Maathais di ǂhôas
- Kiswahili · Mbegu Ndogo: Hadithi ya Wangari Maathai
- Lukhonzo · Erihera embutho: Omwatsi wa Wangari Maathai
- Lunda · Kambuntu kakanyanya: insan’gu ya Wangari Maathai.
- Luvale · Mbuto yayindende: Mujimbu wa Wangari Maathai
- Mauritian Creole · Enn tipti lagrin : Zistwar Wangari Maathai
- Nyanja · Kambewu kangóno: Nkhani ya Wangari Maathai
- Oshikwanyama · Okambuto kanininini: Ehokololo laWangari Maathai
- Oshindonga · Okambuto okashonashona: Ehokololo lyaWangari Maathai
- Otjiherero · Okandwi okaṱikona: Ehungi ra Wangari Maathai
- Sepedi · Peu Ye Nnyanennyane
- Somali · Mir yar: Sheekadii Wangari Mathaay
- Spanish · Una pequeña semilla: la historia de Wangari Maathai
- Tonga · Mbuto Nsyoonto: Kaano ka Wangari Maathai
- Tswana · Peo E Nnye: Tlhamane ya ga Wangari Maathai
- Xhosa · A Tiny Seed: The Story of Wangari Maathai
- Zulu · Imbewu Encane
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
Magozwe
Ifyakufwala fya kusukulu
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Ibuuku lya pamiceele
See all 40 free Bemba books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Ulubuto Lunoono: Ilyashi lya pali Wangari Maathai” free to read?
Yes. “Ulubuto Lunoono: Ilyashi lya pali Wangari Maathai” 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 “Ulubuto Lunoono: Ilyashi lya pali Wangari Maathai” in?
It is written in Bemba. Pagine has 40 free children’s books in Bemba.
What age is “Ulubuto Lunoono: Ilyashi lya pali Wangari Maathai” for?
It is best for ages 5–11 (Level 3 · First paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Ulubuto Lunoono: Ilyashi lya pali Wangari Maathai” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in Hausa, Kiswahili, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and more.
Who wrote “Ulubuto Lunoono: Ilyashi lya pali Wangari Maathai”?
“Ulubuto Lunoono: Ilyashi lya pali Wangari Maathai” was written by Nicola Rijsdijk and illustrated by Maya Marshak; the Bemba translation is by Theresa Mwewa.
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Get the free app →Credits: Ulubuto Lunoono: Ilyashi lya pali Wangari Maathai — Written by Nicola Rijsdijk; Illustrated by Maya Marshak; Translated by Theresa Mwewa. Bemba, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=9809). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026