Zanfan-Bourik

Name: Zanfan-Bourik
Availability: InStock
Author: Lindiwe Matshikiza

A free picture book in Mauritian Creole by Lindiwe Matshikiza

Cover of Zanfan-Bourik, a Mauritian Creole picture book

Zanfan-Bourik is a picture book in Mauritian Creole for ages 5–11 by Lindiwe Matshikiza that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Mauritian Creole
Written by: Lindiwe Matshikiza
Illustrated by: Meghan Judge
Translated by: Shameem Oozeerally & MIE French Students
Reading level: ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs
From: Mauritius
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 4.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Zanfan-Bourik is a short illustrated picture book in Mauritian Creole by Lindiwe Matshikiza, illustrated by Meghan Judge and translated by Shameem Oozeerally & MIE French Students. 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 Mauritian Creole. The book comes from Global Storybooks and is shared under an open CC BY 4.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 22 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Enn tipti tifi ti premie dimounn pou trouv enn form bizar depi lwin. Kouma form la finn vinn pre, tipti tifi la inn trouve ki ti enn madam ansint pou plizier mwa. Timid me brav, tifi-la inn koste avek madam-la.…

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

This story in other languages

Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “Zanfan-Bourik” is also available in:

Reading together in Mauritian Creole

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 Mauritian Creole

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Zanfan-Bourik” free to read?

Yes. “Zanfan-Bourik” 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 “Zanfan-Bourik” in?

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

What age is “Zanfan-Bourik” for?

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

Is “Zanfan-Bourik” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Turkana, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and more.

Who wrote “Zanfan-Bourik”?

“Zanfan-Bourik” was written by Lindiwe Matshikiza and illustrated by Meghan Judge; the Mauritian Creole translation is by Shameem Oozeerally & MIE French Students.

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Credits: Zanfan-Bourik — Written by Lindiwe Matshikiza; Illustrated by Meghan Judge; Translated by Shameem Oozeerally & MIE French Students. Mauritian Creole, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-mauritius), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=15028). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026