Xihleko lexi Lahlekeke

A free picture book in Xitsonga by Michelle Preen

Xihleko lexi Lahlekeke is a picture book in Xitsonga for ages 2–8 by Michelle Preen that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language

Xitsonga

Written by

Michelle Preen

Illustrated by

Karen Lilje

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

Xihleko lexi Lahlekeke is a short illustrated picture book in Xitsonga by Michelle Preen, illustrated by Karen Lilje. 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 Xitsonga. 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

N’wamhungumbye Spott y a lahlekeriwile hi xihleko xa yena. Xana leswi swi humelele njhani? Xana xi nga va xi ri kwihi? Xana swiharhi leswin’wana swi nga kota ku n’wi pfuna […] Xihleko lexi Lahlekeke — Written by Michelle Preen; Illustrated…

Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY 4.0).

Reading together in Xitsonga

• 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 Xitsonga

• N’waximbutani
• U kwihi Lulu?
• Xana ku na Un’wana wo Fana na Mina?
• Swiambalo swa xikolo
• Ku Endzela Kokwana Wa Xisati Hi Tiholideyi
• Tintangu ta Shongololo
• Hikwalahokayini ku ri na mbhovo ekhumbini?
• Nghala ya nkati leyo karhala

See all 56 free Xitsonga books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Xihleko lexi Lahlekeke” free to read?

Yes. “Xihleko lexi Lahlekeke” 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 “Xihleko lexi Lahlekeke” in?

It is written in Xitsonga. Pagine has 56 free children’s books in Xitsonga.

What age is “Xihleko lexi Lahlekeke” for?

It is best for ages 2–8. Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Who wrote “Xihleko lexi Lahlekeke”?

“Xihleko lexi Lahlekeke” was written by Michelle Preen and illustrated by Karen Lilje.

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Credits: Xihleko lexi Lahlekeke — Written by Michelle Preen; Illustrated by Karen Lilje; Designed by Wilna Combrinck; Edited by Helen Moffett. Xitsonga. Published by Book Dash (ISBN 978-1-928442-45-5). CC BY 4.0. Source: https://bookdash.org/books/xihleko-lexi-lahlekeke/ · Page updated October 2026