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A girl opening a wooden window.

Zama ni mkubwa! Zama is great! Zama est formidable !

Written by Michael Oguttu

Illustrated by Vusi Malindi

Translated by Matteo E. Mwita

Read by Lauwo George

Language Kiswahili

Level Level 2

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

Mdogo wangu anachelewa kuamka. Mimi naamka mapema kwa sababu mimi ni mkubwa!

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.

Mimi ndiye ninayeruhusu jua kuingia ndani.

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.

“Wewe ni nyota wangu wa asubuhi,” anasema mama.

“You’re my morning star,” says Ma.

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


A girl washing herself outside.

Naoga mwenyewe, sihitaji msaada.

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.

Naweza kustahimili maji ya baridi na sabuni ya bluu inayonukia.

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.

Mama ananikumbusha, “Usisahau kupiga mswaki.” Namjibu, “Kamwe, sio mimi!”

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.

Baada ya kuoga, nawasalimu babu na shangazi, na kuwatakia siku njema.

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.

Najivisha nguo mwenyewe. “Mimi ni mkubwa sasa mama,” ninamwambia.

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.

Ninaweza kufunga vishikizo na kurekebisha viatu vyangu.

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.

Na ninahakikisha mdogo wangu anapata taarifa zote za shule.

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.

Darasani najitahidi sana katika kila kitu.

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.

Ninafanya hivi vitu vyote vizuri kila siku. Ila kitu ninachokipenda sana ni kucheza na kucheza.

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
Translated by: Matteo E. Mwita
Read by: Lauwo George
Language: Kiswahili
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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