PagineUTumi owoyikayo
A free picture book in Xhosa by Mohale Mashigo
UTumi owoyikayo is a picture book in Xhosa for ages 2–8 by Mohale Mashigo that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Xhosa · isiXhosa
- Written by
- Mohale Mashigo
- Illustrated by
- Nicola Anne Smith
- Reading level
- ages 2–8 · preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade
- From
- South Africa
- Source
- Book Dash
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
UTumi owoyikayo is a short illustrated picture book in Xhosa by Mohale Mashigo, illustrated by Nicola Anne Smith. It is written for ages 2–8, so it works as a read-aloud for little ones and as practice for children learning to read in Xhosa. The book comes from Book Dash and is shared under an open CC BY 4.0 licence, which is why it is free to read.
How it begins
“Kungathini ukuba kukho igongqongqo phantsi kwebhedi yam?” UTumi uyoyika. UMama uzama ukumbonisa ukuba yonke into ilungile. UTumi owoyikayo — Written by Mohale Mashigo; Illustrated by Nicola Anne Smith; Designed by Nontobeko Kunene; Edited by Ester Levinrad. isiXhosa. Published by Book…Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY 4.0).
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
Iphupha likaGraça
Igolide kaTatomkhulu
UMpungutye Qhinga wenza amaqhinga
UYapo Uhlangula Usuku
Iinwele
Kutheni iiMvubu Zingenaboya Nje
Indoda Ende Kakhulu
Unozibele Namanwele Amathathu
See all 145 free Xhosa books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “UTumi owoyikayo” free to read?
Yes. “UTumi owoyikayo” 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 “UTumi owoyikayo” in?
It is written in Xhosa (isiXhosa). Pagine has 145 free children’s books in Xhosa.
What age is “UTumi owoyikayo” for?
It is best for ages 2–8. Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Who wrote “UTumi owoyikayo”?
“UTumi owoyikayo” was written by Mohale Mashigo and illustrated by Nicola Anne Smith.
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Get the free app →Credits: UTumi owoyikayo — Written by Mohale Mashigo; Illustrated by Nicola Anne Smith; Designed by Nontobeko Kunene; Edited by Ester Levinrad. isiXhosa. Published by Book Dash (ISBN 978-1-77623-098-3). CC BY 4.0. Source: https://bookdash.org/books/utumi-owoyikayo/ · Page updated October 2026