PagineUna pequeña semilla: la historia de Wangari Maathai
A free picture book in Spanish by Nicola Rijsdijk
Una pequeña semilla: la historia de Wangari Maathai is a picture book in Spanish for ages 5–11 by Nicola Rijsdijk that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Spanish
- Written by
- Nicola Rijsdijk
- Illustrated by
- Maya Marshak
- Translated by
- Karina Vásquez
- Reading level
- ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs
- Source
- Global Storybooks
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Una pequeña semilla: la historia de Wangari Maathai is a short illustrated picture book in Spanish by Nicola Rijsdijk, illustrated by Maya Marshak and translated by Karina Vásquez. 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 Spanish. 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
En una aldea ubicada en la cuesta del Monte Kenia en África del Este, una niña pequeña trabajaba en los campos con su madre. Su nombre era Wangari. A Wangari le encantaba estar afuera. En el huerto de su familia,…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. “Una pequeña semilla: la historia de Wangari Maathai” is also available in:
- Afrikaans · ‘n Klein saadjie: Die verhaal van Wangari Maathai
- Bemba · Ulubuto Lunoono: Ilyashi lya pali 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
- 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 Spanish
- 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 Spanish
Lo que la hermana de Vusi dijo
Contando animales
Dos
¿Por qué los hipopótamos no tienen pelo?
Andiswa, la estrella de fútbol
El día que dejé mi casa para irme a la ciudad
De vacaciones con la abuela
El cocodrilo hambriento
See all 40 free Spanish books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Una pequeña semilla: la historia de Wangari Maathai” free to read?
Yes. “Una pequeña semilla: la historia de 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 “Una pequeña semilla: la historia de Wangari Maathai” in?
It is written in Spanish. Pagine has 40 free children’s books in Spanish.
What age is “Una pequeña semilla: la historia de Wangari Maathai” for?
It is best for ages 5–11 (Level 3 · First paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Una pequeña semilla: la historia de Wangari Maathai” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in Hausa, Kiswahili, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and more.
Who wrote “Una pequeña semilla: la historia de Wangari Maathai”?
“Una pequeña semilla: la historia de Wangari Maathai” was written by Nicola Rijsdijk and illustrated by Maya Marshak; the Spanish translation is by Karina Vásquez.
Log books, set goals and build a daily reading habit — free on iOS, Android and the web.
Get the free app →Credits: Una pequeña semilla: la historia de Wangari Maathai — Written by Nicola Rijsdijk; Illustrated by Maya Marshak; Translated by Karina Vásquez; Read by Áurea Vericat. Spanish, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-dc), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=9809). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026