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Palesa Can Walk!

One-year-old Palesa spends the night before her birthday wide-eyed with excitement. She can’t wait to find out what each of her friends will bring her. But what will be the biggest surprise of all?

Suggested age: 0–3岁 · Reading level L1 · 18 illustrated pages

Palesa Can Walk! — 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.

One-year-old Palesa spends the night before her birthday wide-eyed with excitement. She can’t wait to find out what each of her friends will bring her. But what will be the biggest surprise of all?

Read all 18 story pages
Palesa Can Walk! — original illustrated page 1, English text included
Palesa Can Walk!
Palesa Can Walk! — original illustrated page 2, English text included
Palesa Can Walk! — original illustrated page 3, English text included
Palesa Can Walk! — original illustrated page 4, English text included
Palesa Can Walk! — original illustrated page 5, English text included
Palesa can't sleep. It's her birthday tomorrow. She's one year old!
Palesa Can Walk! — original illustrated page 6, English text included
All her friends will bring her lots of presents.
Palesa Can Walk! — original illustrated page 7, English text included
Seth will bring a... What will Seth bring? A rattle! And Sandile? A drum!
Palesa Can Walk! — original illustrated page 8, English text included
But what about Aunty Mamsie? Oh, she’ll bring a cake, balloons, a trumpet, a talking doll, a computer, and... and... and...
Palesa Can Walk! — original illustrated page 9, English text included
Look! Palesa’s fast asleep...
Palesa Can Walk! — original illustrated page 10, English text included
Tr ii-iing! Tr ii-iing! "Happy birthday!" comes from the door. "Come in! Come in!" Mommy shouts.
Palesa Can Walk! — original illustrated page 11, English text included
On her stool, Palesa's eyes grow bigger and bigger.
Palesa Can Walk! — original illustrated page 12, English text included
Over there, against the wall, the pile of toys grows and grows and grows.
Palesa Can Walk! — original illustrated page 13, English text included
"Mine!" Palesa screams. "Mine!" she waves her angry arms. But everybody’s busy playing.
Palesa Can Walk! — original illustrated page 14, English text included
"Mine!" And, with one big heave, pushes herself up. She goes and gathers the toys.
Palesa Can Walk! — original illustrated page 15, English text included
Everybody stops. Then they all clap their hands. "Hurray! Palesa can walk!"
Palesa Can Walk! — original illustrated page 16, English text included
Look! Now everyone is happy. Palesa is happy to play with her friends.
Palesa Can Walk! — original illustrated page 17, English text included
Palesa Can Walk! — original illustrated page 18, English text included

Creators and open license

Written by
Sindiwe Magona
Illustrated by
Sinomonde Ngwane
Created by
Thulisizwe Mamba (Designer); Sinomonde Ngwane (Illustrator); Sindiwe Magona (Writer); Martha Evans (Editor)

Source: Book Dash
Original: Palesa Can Walk! 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.