PagineUmbhongolo, Usana Olusisimanga
A free picture book in Xhosa by Lindiwe Matshikiza
Umbhongolo, Usana Olusisimanga is a picture book in Xhosa for ages 5–11 by Lindiwe Matshikiza that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Xhosa
- Written by
- Lindiwe Matshikiza
- Illustrated by
- Meghan Judge
- Translated by
- Nana Zajiji
- Reading level
- ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs
- From
- South Africa
- Source
- Global Storybooks
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Umbhongolo, Usana Olusisimanga is a short illustrated picture book in Xhosa by Lindiwe Matshikiza, illustrated by Meghan Judge and translated by Nana Zajiji. 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 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 22 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).
How it begins
Yabayintombazana encinane eyabona umbono omangalisayo usondela. Uthe xa ukufutshane, intomabazana yabona ukuba ngumama okhulelweyo. Yathi ithandabuza injalo, yaqweba isibindi yaya kuye umama okhulelweyo. Usana lwakhawuleza ukuza emva koko. Wonke umntu wayefuna ukuncedisa. Kodwa bathi abantu bakubona usana, batsiba bonke kukothuka.…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. “Umbhongolo, Usana Olusisimanga” is also available in:
- Afrikaans · Donkie-kind
- Bemba · Umwana Punda
- Dhopadhola · Nyathi Ma Nyakare
- English · Donkey child
- Jamaican Creole · Dangki Pikni
- Kaonde · Mbongolo Mwana
- Khoekhoegowab · Donki ǀgôab xa
- Kiswahili · Mtoto Punda
- Lukhonzo · Akana K’epunda
- Lunda · Mwana wa Donki
- Luvale · Mwana Chimbulu
- Mauritian Creole · Zanfan-Bourik
- Nyanja · Mwana wa Bulu
- Oshikwanyama · Okaana okandongwina
- Oshindonga · Okanona okandôongi
- Otjiherero · Okasinona
- Somali · Ilmo dameer ah
- Spanish · El Niño Burro
- Tonga · Kana Kambongolo
- Tswana · Ngwana wa setshwano sa tonki
- Turkana · Ikoku sikiria
- Zulu · Umntwana ongajwayelekile
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
Uthuli, uNkomodidi nemfihlelo
Umanyano ngamandla: Ibali lika-Albertina Sisulu
Ingonyama eyayingafuni kuzama
Uphi uLulu?
Hayi!
Ummangaliso wosuku lokuzalwa lukaThato
Intlanzi eyayingakwazi kuqubha
Isiphiwo sikaMogau
See all 145 free Xhosa books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Umbhongolo, Usana Olusisimanga” free to read?
Yes. “Umbhongolo, Usana Olusisimanga” 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 “Umbhongolo, Usana Olusisimanga” in?
It is written in Xhosa. Pagine has 145 free children’s books in Xhosa.
What age is “Umbhongolo, Usana Olusisimanga” for?
It is best for ages 5–11 (Level 3 · First paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Umbhongolo, Usana Olusisimanga” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in English, Turkana, Somali, Zulu, Afrikaans, Tswana and more.
Who wrote “Umbhongolo, Usana Olusisimanga”?
“Umbhongolo, Usana Olusisimanga” was written by Lindiwe Matshikiza and illustrated by Meghan Judge; the Xhosa translation is by Nana Zajiji.
Log books, set goals and build a daily reading habit — free on iOS, Android and the web.
Get the free app →Credits: Umbhongolo, Usana Olusisimanga — Written by Lindiwe Matshikiza; Illustrated by Meghan Judge; Translated by Nana Zajiji. Xhosa, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (southafricareads.org), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=15028). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026