Vana vandunda

Name: Vana vandunda
Availability: InStock
Author: Southern African Folktale

A free picture book in Luvale by Southern African Folktale

Cover of Vana vandunda, a Luvale picture book

Vana vandunda is a picture book in Luvale for ages 5–8 by Southern African Folktale that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Luvale
Written by: Southern African Folktale
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Masho Kaloza
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

Vana vandunda is a short illustrated picture book in Luvale by Southern African Folktale, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Masho Kaloza. 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 Luvale. 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 30 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Lwola lumwe, vathu vatwaminenga mukuwahilila muthanga yavo. Kavazungilengako. Vakafwile visemi javo hembo nakumande. Oloze kavavetavijile kuya kwakamwihi nakakahyako. Shikaho vazachilenga milimo yavo naufuko kaha. Mwomwo vapwile vakutungisa nandunda. Oloze mwana umwe hakachi kavaze vamalunga asakile kuya mumusana. Likumbi limwe kusaka…

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. “Vana vandunda” is also available in:

Reading together in Luvale

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 Luvale

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Vana vandunda” free to read?

Yes. “Vana vandunda” 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 “Vana vandunda” in?

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

What age is “Vana vandunda” for?

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

Is “Vana vandunda” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Kiswahili, EkeGusii, Kikamba, Kimaasai, Turkana and more.

Who wrote “Vana vandunda”?

“Vana vandunda” was written by Southern African Folktale and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Luvale translation is by Masho Kaloza.

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Credits: Vana vandunda — Written by Southern African Folktale; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Masho Kaloza. Luvale, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=2181). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026