English ↔ Sepedi · Ages 5–9
The Painted Walls
Maboto a a Pentilwego
By Mmathabo Maake · Illustrated by Lerato Mashile
Every spring, Koko repaints the walls of her homestead near Polokwane, and every spring Tumelo and his sister Lesedi beg to help. Each pattern has a meaning, and each meaning has a story. Five books in English and Sepedi (Northern Sotho), one colour at a time.
Theme: Art, heritage and a grandmother's patterns
Read a free sample of book 1The books
The Painted Walls · Book 1
Koko's Brushes
Diborosolo tša Koko
Mmathabo Maake
Greetings, family words and the first stroke of paint.
176 pages
The Painted Walls · Book 2
Red Earth, Yellow Sun
Mmu o Mohubedu, Letšatši le le Serolwana
Mmathabo Maake
Colours, shapes and where paint comes from.
152 pages
The Painted Walls · Book 3
Under the Baobab
Ka Fase ga Mowana
Mmathabo Maake
Trees, shade and the stories told beneath them.
168 pages
The Painted Walls · Book 4
The Rain Pattern
Mohlala wa Pula
Mmathabo Maake
Weather, seasons and a pattern that asks for rain.
184 pages
The Painted Walls · Book 5
Lesedi Paints Alone
Lesedi o Penta a Nnoši
Mmathabo Maake
Confidence, mistakes and making something your own.
160 pages