Welcome to summer! With warm days come opportunities for joy, exploration, and meaningful time with family. It’s also the perfect time to spark (or reignite) a child’s love for reading.
At NABU, we believe every child deserves access to inspiring, inclusive stories, especially in their own language. Whether your little one is just beginning to sound out words or confidently reading on their own, here’s a list of 8 NABU books to keep kids engaged, entertained, and empowered all summer long.
Most of these stories are available in bilingual formats and across reading levels 1–4. Ideal for preschoolers and early readers, they are a great companion during holidays, travels, or lazy afternoons.
1. The Kind Ogre
A delightful story of courage, tradition, and unexpected friendship. Young siblings Hinga and Shiro are on a journey to attend a traditional village dance. Along the way, they face unexpected obstacles, including a surprise encounter with a forest ogre who isn’t what he seems.
This charming tale introduces children to cultural customs, empathy, and bravery, while helping them build early vocabulary through simple, rhythmic text.
Best for: Beginning readers
Themes: Family, kindness, courage, tradition
2. Go Stella Go
Meet Stella - a girl who dreams big, rides fast, and isn’t afraid to challenge stereotypes. When told that girls can’t win bike races, Stella sets out to prove otherwise. But a twist in the story reveals what true strength and leadership really mean.
This empowering story is perfect for encouraging children, especially girls, to lead with confidence, compassion, and courage.
Best for: Ages 6–9
Themes: Determination, friendship, gender equity
3. The Big and Magical Basketball Games
Mwangi, nicknamed "Magic," and his international teammates embark on an epic quest across Africa to save the magical BAL Cup. With the help of Leo the mascot, they discover that teamwork, courage, and love for the game are the keys to victory.
Available in multiple languages including English, French, Wolof, Kinyarwanda, and IsiZulu, this action-packed book combines sports, culture, and imagination.
Best for: Ages 7+
Themes: Teamwork, adventure, African unity
Available in 5 languages
4. The Dance of Courage
When Sam can’t find a partner for the school ballet contest, his friends rally to support him and discover Kaweria, a talented dancer held back by fear and family expectations. Together, they unlock her courage and take center stage.
A beautiful story about inclusion, teamwork, and following your passion despite the odds.
Best for: Ages 6–10
Themes: Confidence, support, self-expression
5. A Mountain of Fun
Join a joyful child on a journey through lush mountains, sparkling waterfalls, and lively farms. From picking fruits to splashing in streams, this story celebrates nature, family, and a love for country.
Perfect for early readers, with vibrant illustrations and engaging language that builds vocabulary while sparking wonder.
Best for: Ages 4–7
Themes: Nature, curiosity, gratitude
6. My Ten Friends
Getting ready each morning has never been more fun! In this imaginative story, familiar objects like socks, a toothbrush, and shoes come to life as “friends” that help kids prepare for their day.
A simple, engaging read for building daily routines, hygiene habits, and confidence in early literacy.
Best for: Preschoolers and emergent readers
Themes: Routines, hygiene, early learning
7. Maimuna the Farmer
Maimuna runs a busy farm with the help of her two children and lots of animals. But young Kamalu must learn that every animal, no matter how loud or messy, has a role to play.
This story introduces children to farm life, responsibility, and empathy through colorful pages and sounds of the barnyard.
Best for: Ages 5–8
Themes: Responsibility, animal care, family
8. Dawn and Misty
Princesses Zorica and Negura embark on a magical journey to save their kingdom from a mysterious curse. Along the way, they must solve riddles, confront fears, and heal deep family wounds - learning that true power lies in unity and compassion.
A deeply imaginative, emotionally rich tale that weaves together adventure and life lessons.
Best for: Ages 8–12
Themes: Emotional intelligence, forgiveness, resilience
We Are Just Getting Started
This summer, let stories be more than a pastime, let them become a gateway to curiosity, courage, and self-belief. NABU’s collection of bilingual, culturally-rooted books is designed to ignite imagination and bridge early literacy gaps for children everywhere.
Many children across Africa and the global South still face significant barriers:
- A lack of books in their mother tongue
- Limited exposure to socially relevant stories
- Gaps in literacy that hold back their full potential
We are working to change this, one story at a time. Want to help?
- Donate to support the creation of inclusive children’s books: nabu.org/donate
- Partner with us to co-create or distribute stories
- Explore free books in over 40 languages at read.nabu.org
- Follow us on Instagram: @nabu_local
- Watch storytime videos on YouTube: ReadWithNABU
Let’s build a world where every child can read, dream, and rise.
Donate
Your donation makes a difference. Join us in our mission to ensure every child has equal access to literacy and learning resources.
THE IMPACT OF YOUR GIFT
NABU is free for children, families, and teachers, thanks to our generous donors. Your donation can make a big difference:
- $25 monthly subscription for one child: Provide access to the NABU app and hundreds of bilingual books for a child and their family
- $45 monthly subscription for one classroom: Gift NABU to a teacher for use in their classrooms to support student learning
- $1,500 to publish a children's book: Support our professional development initiatives, training local artists to create culturally relevant stories for children in their communities, with translations into 25 languages
- $5,000 to sponsor a country-wide children's radio program:Expand our impact through storytelling radio programs across an entire country