wa’Ngoko oko na W’Isamba

Name: wa’Ngoko oko na W’Isamba
Availability: InStock
Author: Ann Nduku

A free picture book in Lukhonzo by Ann Nduku

Cover of wa’Ngoko oko na W’Isamba, a Lukhonzo picture book

wa’Ngoko oko na W’Isamba is a picture book in Lukhonzo for ages 5–11 by Ann Nduku that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Lukhonzo
Written by: Ann Nduku
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Amos Mubunga Kambere
Reading level: ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs
From: Uganda
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

wa’Ngoko oko na W’Isamba is a short illustrated picture book in Lukhonzo by Ann Nduku, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Amos Mubunga Kambere. 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 Lukhonzo. 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 27 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Kera kera, iya wa’Ngoko na w’Isamba babya banywani. Kandi babya bikere n’obuholho nebindi binyonyi. Aliriryo wa’Ngoko na w’Isamba sibyabya byasi eriwulhuka. Kiro kighuma, enzalha muyawa omwakihugho. W’Isamba inyakaghenda lhughendo lhuli erirondia akalyo. Erisamba irikasubulha iryabirilhuha. “Nikwa ibwa hanatholere ihabya enzira…

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. “wa’Ngoko oko na W’Isamba” is also available in:

Reading together in Lukhonzo

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 Lukhonzo

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “wa’Ngoko oko na W’Isamba” free to read?

Yes. “wa’Ngoko oko na W’Isamba” 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 “wa’Ngoko oko na W’Isamba” in?

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

What age is “wa’Ngoko oko na W’Isamba” for?

It is best for ages 5–11 (Level 3 · First paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “wa’Ngoko oko na W’Isamba” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Kiswahili, EkeGusii, Somali, Xhosa, Afrikaans and more.

Who wrote “wa’Ngoko oko na W’Isamba”?

“wa’Ngoko oko na W’Isamba” was written by Ann Nduku and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Lukhonzo translation is by Amos Mubunga Kambere.

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Credits: wa’Ngoko oko na W’Isamba — Written by Ann Nduku; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Amos Mubunga Kambere. Lukhonzo, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-uganda), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=2084). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026