Umuntu umutali saana

Name: Umuntu umutali saana
Availability: InStock
Author: Cornelius Gulere

A free picture book in Bemba by Cornelius Gulere

Cover of Umuntu umutali saana, a Bemba picture book

Umuntu umutali saana is a picture book in Bemba for ages 5–8 by Cornelius Gulere that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Bemba
Written by: Cornelius Gulere
Illustrated by: Catherine Groenewald
Translated by: Sandra Mulesu
Reading level: ages 5–8 · kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 2 · First sentences
From: Zambia
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Umuntu umutali saana is a short illustrated picture book in Bemba by Cornelius Gulere, illustrated by Catherine Groenewald and translated by Sandra Mulesu. 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 Bemba. The book comes from Global Storybooks and is shared under an open CC BY 3.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 35 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Ulukasu lwakwe lwali ulwipi saana. Umwinshi wakwe wali uwipi saana. Ubusanshi bwakwe bwali ubwipi saana. Incinga yakwe yali iipi saana. Uyu muntu aalilepeshe saana. Aapangile umupini wa lukasu uutali saana. Aapangile umwinshi uutali saana. Aapangile ubusanshi ubutali saana. Aashitile incinga…

Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY 3.0).

This story in other languages

Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “Umuntu umutali saana” is also available in:

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

See all 40 free Bemba books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Umuntu umutali saana” free to read?

Yes. “Umuntu umutali saana” 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 3.0).

What language is “Umuntu umutali saana” in?

It is written in Bemba. Pagine has 40 free children’s books in Bemba.

What age is “Umuntu umutali saana” for?

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

Is “Umuntu umutali saana” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Nigerian Pidgin, Hausa, Kiswahili, Turkana, Somali and more.

Who wrote “Umuntu umutali saana”?

“Umuntu umutali saana” was written by Cornelius Gulere and illustrated by Catherine Groenewald; the Bemba translation is by Sandra Mulesu.

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Credits: Umuntu umutali saana — Written by Cornelius Gulere; Illustrated by Catherine Groenewald; Translated by Sandra Mulesu. Bemba, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=918). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026