PagineWenza Ntoni?
A free picture book in Xhosa by Nina Orange
Wenza Ntoni? is a picture book in Xhosa for ages 2–8 by Nina Orange that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Xhosa
- Written by
- Nina Orange
- Illustrated by
- Wiehan de Jager
- Translated by
- Nokuthula Bernelee Dyonase
- Reading level
- ages 2–8 · preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 1 · First words
- From
- South Africa
- Source
- Global Storybooks
- Licence
- CC BY 3.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Wenza Ntoni? is a short illustrated picture book in Xhosa by Nina Orange, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Nokuthula Bernelee Dyonase. It is written for ages 2–8 (Nursery–Year 1) and is graded as Level 1 · First words, so it works as a read-aloud for little ones and as practice for children learning to read in Xhosa. 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 29 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).
How it begins
Ndiyacula. Uyabulisa. Ndibetha izandla. Uyazolula. Uyakhwaza. Ndiyaphendula. Umamele. Wenza ntoni? Wenza Ntoni? — Written by Nina Orange; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Nokuthula Bernelee Dyonase. Xhosa, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (southafricareads.org), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=7292).…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. “Wenza Ntoni?” is also available in:
- Afrikaans · Wat doen jy?
- Bemba · Finshi Uleecita?
- Dagbani · Bɔ ka a niŋda?
- Jamaican Creole · Wa yu a du?
- Kaonde · Ubena Kuuba ka?
- Khoekhoegowab · Tare-ets ra dī?
- Kichaga · Kiki kukeuta?
- Kikuyu · Nĩkĩĩ ureka?
- Kisukuma · Uleetake?
- Kiswahili · Unafanya nini?
- Krio · Wetin yu de du?
- Lukhonzo · Ukakolhaki?
- Lunda · Winakwiladi?
- Lunyole · Ohola hiina?
- Luvale · Uli nakulinga ika?
- Mauritian Creole · Ki to pe fer?
- Nyanja · Ucita Ciani?
- Oshikwanyama · Oto ningi shike?
- Oshindonga · Oto ningi shike?
- Otjiherero · Ove mo tjiti tjike?
- Sepedi · O dira eng?
- Sesotho · O etsang?
- Somali · Maxaad samaynaysaa?
- Spanish · ¿Qué estás haciendo?
- Tonga · Ino Ucita Nzi?
- Tsonga · Xana u endla yini?
- Tswana · O dira eng?
- Turkana · Nyo Isubi Iyong?
- Zulu · Wenzani?
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
Ndiza kukunceda
Indlu kaMpukwana
Uphi uThabo?
Indebe yemiqhathane mayiwe
Amalungiselelo Amakhulu Embovane Encinane
Eyona nto inomfaneleko
Ngubani olo sana?
Indlu kaMama uQhude
See all 145 free Xhosa books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Wenza Ntoni?” free to read?
Yes. “Wenza Ntoni?” 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 “Wenza Ntoni?” in?
It is written in Xhosa. Pagine has 145 free children’s books in Xhosa.
What age is “Wenza Ntoni?” for?
It is best for ages 2–8 (Level 1 · First words). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Wenza Ntoni?” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in Kikuyu, Turkana, Somali, Zulu, Afrikaans, Sepedi and more.
Who wrote “Wenza Ntoni?”?
“Wenza Ntoni?” was written by Nina Orange and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Xhosa translation is by Nokuthula Bernelee Dyonase.
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Get the free app →Credits: Wenza Ntoni? — Written by Nina Orange; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Nokuthula Bernelee Dyonase. Xhosa, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (southafricareads.org), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=7292). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026