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The Window Seat

Two sisters, one window seat, and a magical train ride!

Suggested age: 4–6岁 · Reading level L2 · 14 illustrated pages

The Window Seat — original illustrated page 1, English text included

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This book can be read page by page, heard with synthetic Voice 7 narration, downloaded and printed. Enable JavaScript for the interactive reader, or open the story pages below.

Two sisters, one window seat, and a magical train ride!

Read all 14 story pages
The Window Seat — original illustrated page 1, English text included
The Window Seat
The Window Seat — original illustrated page 2, English text included
Every December Gugu and Cici travel with Mom to Joburg. Their best bit? Riding the long-distance train together.
The Window Seat — original illustrated page 3, English text included
"This year I'm taking the window seat!" says Cici. "Not fair! You had it last year," Gugu shouts.
The Window Seat — original illustrated page 4, English text included
"Race!" says Gugu. Off they go, running down the platform. Cici reaches it first.
The Window Seat — original illustrated page 5, English text included
"Rock, paper, scissors!" says Cici. This time, Gugu wins.
The Window Seat — original illustrated page 6, English text included
Mom decides, "You'll share the window. Half the trip is for Gugu, half for Cici."
The Window Seat — original illustrated page 7, English text included
They get on the train. No! Every window seat is taken.
The Window Seat — original illustrated page 8, English text included
The sisters sit in the aisle seats. They peek at the window. They wish they could see the view.
The Window Seat — original illustrated page 9, English text included
The lady sitting in the window seat drops her handbag. The sisters pick it up and hand it back.
The Window Seat — original illustrated page 10, English text included
"Thank you, girls. Would you like to sit here by the window?" "Yes!"
The Window Seat — original illustrated page 11, English text included
Gugu leans close to the window. "Into the tunnel!" she yells.
The Window Seat — original illustrated page 12, English text included
Out comes the sun again. Cici jumps into the window seat. "Look!"
The Window Seat — original illustrated page 13, English text included
Finally they fall asleep. They will wake up in Joburg. They can't wait to tell Tata what they saw.
The Window Seat — original illustrated page 14, English text included

Creators and open license

Written by
Sindeka Mandoyi
Illustrated by
Chloe Veldsman
Created by
Chloe Veldsman (Illustrator); Sindeka Mandoyi (Writer); Angela Briggs (Editor); Roulé le Roux (Designer)

Source: Book Dash
Original: The Window Seat from Book Dash
License: CC BY 4.0

Original illustrated spreads and embedded English story text preserved; website layout and printable PDF assembled by Little Leaf. Age, level, theme and recommendation are editorial suggestions. Web and printable layout adapted by Little Leaf. Age and reading-level suggestions are editorial. Original stories and artwork belong to their credited creators. Website narration uses the selected synthetic Voice 7.