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A girl opening a wooden window.

Zama is great! Zama is great! Zama est formidable !

Written by Michael Oguttu

Illustrated by Vusi Malindi

Read by Darshan Soni

Language English

Level Level 2

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Reading speed

Autoplay story


A boy sleeping in his bed and a girl sitting up in her bed stretching.

My little brother sleeps very late. I wake early, because I am great!

My little brother sleeps very late. I wake early, because I am great!

Mon petit frère dort très tard. Je me réveille tôt, parce que je suis formidable !


A girl opening a wooden window.

I am the one who lets in the sun.

I am the one who lets in the sun.

Je suis celle qui laisse entrer le soleil.


A woman standing in a bedroom doorway holding a bucket and a girl making her bed.

“You’re my morning star,” says Ma.

“You’re my morning star,” says Ma.

« Tu es mon étoile du matin, » me dit maman.


A girl washing herself outside.

I wash myself, I don’t need any help.

I wash myself, I don’t need any help.

Je me lave, je n’ai pas besoin d’aide.


A girl leaning over a bucket washing her face.

I can cope with cold water and blue smelly soap.

I can cope with cold water and blue smelly soap.

Je peux m’adapter à de l’eau froide et du savon bleu malodorant.


A woman thinking about brushing teeth and a girl brushing her teeth.

Ma reminds, “Don’t forget teeth.” I reply, “Never, not me!”

Ma reminds, “Don’t forget teeth.” I reply, “Never, not me!”

Maman me rappelle, « N’oublie pas tes dents. » Je réponds, « Jamais, pas moi ! »


A girl waving at a man and woman.

After washing, I greet Grandpa and Auntie, and wish them a good day.

After washing, I greet Grandpa and Auntie, and wish them a good day.

Après m’être lavée, j’accueille grand-papa et tantine et je leur souhaite une bonne journée.


A girl dressing herself and a woman sitting.

Then I dress myself, “I’m big now Ma,” I say.

Then I dress myself, “I’m big now Ma,” I say.

Ensuite, je m’habille, « Je suis grande maintenant maman, » dis-je.


A girl buckling up her shoes.

I can close my buttons and buckle my shoes.

I can close my buttons and buckle my shoes.

Je peux attacher mes boutons et boucler mes chaussures.


A girl holding a bag walking and chatting to a boy with a backpack.

And I make sure little brother knows all the school news.

And I make sure little brother knows all the school news.

Et je m’assure que mon petit frère connaît toutes les nouvelles de l’école.


A teacher standing and four students learning.

In class I do my best in every way.

In class I do my best in every way.

En classe je fais de mon mieux de toutes les façons possibles.


Children playing together in a playground.

I do all these good things every day. But the thing I like most, is to play and play!

I do all these good things every day. But the thing I like most, is to play and play!

Je fais toutes ces bonnes choses chaque jour. Mais la chose que j’aime le mieux, c’est de jouer et jouer encore!


Written by: Michael Oguttu
Illustrated by: Vusi Malindi
Read by: Darshan Soni
Language: English
Level: Level 2
Source: Zama is great! from African Storybook
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 International License.
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