Kenyan children’s literature is rich, diverse, and growing. Here’s your guide to the best books for kids, where to buy them, and how to raise readers in Kenya.
Why Kenyan Children’s Books Matter
Representation: Kids see themselves in stories—Kenyan names, settings, experiences Cultural identity: Learn about Kenyan traditions, languages, values Reading habits: Books kids relate to keep them reading Support local authors: Kenya has talented children’s writers who deserve support Affordable: Often cheaper than imported books
Best Kenyan Children’s Books by Age
Ages 0-5 (Picture Books, Early Readers)
“Mwende and the Lion” by Florence Muindi
- Age: 3-6 years
- Theme: Bravery, African folktale retelling
- Illustrations: Beautiful, colorful
- Price: KES 500-800
- Where: Text Book Centre, Prestige
“Kenyan Nursery Rhymes” by Various
- Age: 0-5 years
- Theme: Traditional Kenyan songs and rhymes
- Language: English and Swahili versions
- Price: KES 400-600
- Where: Most bookstores
“Nina the Architect” by Asha Noor
- Age: 4-8 years
- Theme: Girl who loves building, STEM
- Representation: Muslim Kenyan girl
- Price: KES 800-1,200
- Where: Nuria Store, online
“Akili and Me” Series (TV show books)
- Age: 3-6 years
- Theme: African folktales, values, problem-solving
- Available: Books based on the show
- Price: KES 500-900
- Where: Major bookstores
“The Day I Learned I Was Special” by Akirra Schumann
- Age: 4-8 years
- Theme: Self-esteem, diversity
- Setting: Kenyan school
- Price: KES 700-1,000
- Where: Prestige, online
Ages 6-9 (Early Readers, Chapter Books)
“Siri the Octopus” by East African Educational Publishers
- Age: 6-8 years
- Theme: Ocean adventure, friendship
- Setting: Kenyan coast
- Price: KES 300-500 (affordable!)
- Series: Multiple books available
“The Upside Down Birds” by Sitawa Namwalie
- Age: 7-10 years
- Theme: Children’s rebellion against corrupt system
- Unique: Kenyan children’s activism
- Price: KES 600-900
- Where: Text Book Centre
“Luka and the Mystery of the Missing Mangoes” by Rose Maore
- Age: 6-9 years
- Theme: Mystery, detective story
- Setting: Kenyan village
- Price: KES 500-800
- Where: Prestige, online
“Issa Takes the Lead” by Akirra Schumann
- Age: 7-10 years
- Theme: Leadership, teamwork
- Setting: Kenyan school sports
- Price: KES 800-1,200
- Where: Major bookstores
Longhorn Readers Series
- Age: 6-10 years (graded by level)
- Theme: Various Kenyan stories
- Affordable: KES 200-400 per book
- Perfect for: Building reading habit
- Where: Most bookstores, school suppliers
Ages 10-12 (Middle Grade)
“The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” by William Kamkwamba (Malawian, but beloved in Kenya)
- Age: 10-14 years
- Theme: Innovation, perseverance, STEM
- True story: Boy builds windmill
- Price: KES 1,200-1,800
- Inspiration: African ingenuity
“Song of Lawino” by Okot p’Bitek (Simplified editions for kids)
- Age: 12+ years
- Theme: Cultural identity, tradition vs. modernity
- Classic: East African literature
- Price: KES 400-700
- Where: School bookshops
“Jomo and Malia” Series by Joyce Nyairo
- Age: 10-13 years
- Theme: Adventures of Kenyan siblings
- Setting: Nairobi and countryside
- Price: KES 600-1,000 per book
- Where: Text Book Centre
“The Mabatini Warriors” by Stanley Gazemba
- Age: 11-14 years
- Theme: Street kids forming soccer team
- Real Kenya: Urban poverty, hope, resilience
- Price: KES 500-900
- Where: Prestige, Text Book Centre
African Writers Series (Junior) - Various titles
- Age: 10-14 years
- Theme: African stories for young readers
- Classics: Simplified versions of African literature
- Price: KES 300-600
- Where: Most bookstores
Ages 13-17 (Young Adult)
“The Havoc of Choice” by Wanjiru Koinange
- Age: 15+ years
- Theme: Young Kenyan woman navigating modern Kenya
- Real issues: Identity, class, ambition
- Price: KES 1,500-2,200
- Where: Text Book Centre, Nuria
“Murder in Majengo” by Mukoma wa Ngugi
- Age: 14+ years
- Theme: Detective thriller set in Nairobi
- Style: Fast-paced, engaging
- Price: KES 1,200-1,800
- Where: Major bookstores
“Cutting for Stone” by Abraham Verghese (Ethiopia, but popular in Kenya)
- Age: 16+ years
- Theme: Medical drama, family, East Africa
- Long: 600+ pages
- Price: KES 1,500-2,500
- For: Mature, strong readers
“Kintu” by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi (Uganda, widely read in Kenya)
- Age: 16+ years
- Theme: Generational story, African spirituality
- Complex: Multi-layered narrative
- Price: KES 1,800-2,800
- For: Serious young readers
Folktales and Traditional Stories
“The Hare and the Tortoise” (Kenyan version)
- Classic East African folktale
- Multiple editions available
- Price: KES 200-500
- Where: All bookstores
“Tales of the Kamba” by Gerhard Lindblom
- Traditional Kamba stories
- Age: 8-12 years
- Cultural education
- Price: KES 600-1,000
“Tales from Mount Kenya” by Grace Ogot
- Kikuyu folktales
- Classic collection
- Price: KES 500-900
- Where: Text Book Centre
“The Girl Who Was Raised by Hyenas” - Various African folktales
- Multiple authors, collections
- Age: 6-12 years
- Teaches values through stories
- Price: KES 400-800
Where to Buy Children’s Books in Kenya
Physical Bookstores
Text Book Centre
- Locations: Multiple (Sarit, Yaya, Kenyatta Avenue, Nakuru, Mombasa)
- Selection: Best children’s book selection in Kenya
- Price range: KES 300-3,000
- Special: Frequent book fairs with discounts (up to 30% off)
Prestige Bookshop
- Locations: Multiple in Nairobi, Kisumu, Eldoret
- Selection: Good Kenyan and international children’s books
- Price range: KES 400-2,500
- Advantage: Knowledgeable staff
Bookstop
- Location: Village Market, Nairobi
- Selection: Curated children’s books
- Price: KES 500-3,000
- Advantage: High-quality selections
Nuria Store
- Location: Various Nuria stores
- Focus: Islamic children’s books, African stories
- Price: KES 500-2,000
- Unique: Hard-to-find diverse representation
Nakumatt (where still operating)
- Limited selection but convenient
- Price: KES 400-1,500
- Good for: Popular titles
Chandaria Bookshop
- Location: Tom Mboya Street, Nairobi
- Affordable: School books and readers
- Price: KES 150-800
- Best for: Budget buys
Online Options
Nuria Store Online (nuriastore.com)
- Kenyan children’s books
- Delivery: All over Kenya
- Delivery cost: KES 200-500
- Payment: M-Pesa, card
Amazon Kindle
- Instant downloads
- Price: Often cheaper (KES 300-1,500)
- Challenge: Need device, credit card
- Selection: International books mainly
Jumia Books
- Physical and ebooks
- Delivery: Countrywide
- Price: KES 300-2,500
- Payment: M-Pesa friendly
Book Depository (international)
- Free shipping to Kenya
- Price: KES 800-3,000
- Timeline: 2-4 weeks delivery
- Selection: Massive
Budget Options
Second-hand books:
- Nairobi: Kenyatta Avenue street vendors (KES 50-200)
- Mombasa: Old Town book stalls
- Facebook: “Books for Sale Kenya” groups
- Quality varies: Check condition before buying
Book swaps:
- Join parent groups (WhatsApp, Facebook)
- Organize neighborhood swaps
- Library book sales
School book sales:
- End-of-year sales at international schools
- Used books: KES 50-300
- Good condition, quality titles
Building a Home Library on a Budget
Budget Tiers
Minimal (KES 3,000-5,000/year):
- 1-2 new books per month
- Supplement with library, swaps
- Focus on quality over quantity
- Total: 12-24 books annually
Moderate (KES 8,000-15,000/year):
- 2-4 books per month
- Mix new and second-hand
- Birthday/holiday gifts as books
- Total: 24-48 books annually
Book-loving family (KES 20,000+/year):
- 5+ books per month
- Mostly new books
- Build substantial library
- Total: 60+ books annually
Money-Saving Strategies
Book fairs: Text Book Centre book fairs (30% discount) - save KES 200-500 per book Buy in sets: Series books often sold as sets with discounts Birthday gifts: Request books instead of toys Library memberships: Borrow free, buy favorites only Quality over quantity: One great book better than five mediocre ones Digital options: Kindle books often half price of physical
Building by Age
Start early (ages 0-3):
- 10-20 board books (durable, rereadable)
- Budget: KES 5,000-10,000 one-time investment
- Keep: These last through multiple children
Growing reader (ages 4-7):
- Add 20-30 picture books
- Budget: KES 10,000-20,000 over 3 years
- Mix: Half Kenyan, half international
Independent reader (ages 8-12):
- 30-50 chapter books, series
- Budget: KES 15,000-30,000 over 4 years
- Let child choose (builds ownership)
Teen (ages 13-17):
- 20-40 YA novels
- Budget: KES 20,000-40,000 over 5 years
- Mostly child’s choice (respects independence)
Total investment: KES 50,000-100,000 over 17 years (KES 3,000-6,000/year)
Using Libraries
Public Libraries in Kenya
Kenya National Library Service (KNLS)
- Locations: Nairobi (McMillan Library), Mombasa, Kisumu, county towns
- Membership: KES 200-500/year
- Children’s sections: Most branches have kids’ areas
- Borrowing: 2-4 books for 2 weeks
- Quality: Varies by branch, often outdated collections
American Corner Libraries
- Locations: Nairobi (USIU), Mombasa, Eldoret
- Membership: Free
- Selection: Good children’s books (mostly American)
- Environment: Well-maintained, computer access
British Council Library
- Location: Nairobi
- Membership: KES 2,000-6,000/year (pricey but quality)
- Selection: Excellent children’s books
- Events: Story time sessions, book clubs for kids
Goethe-Institut Library
- Location: Nairobi
- Membership: Affordable
- Selection: German and English books
- Cultural: German folktales, bilingual books
School Libraries
- Most schools have libraries
- Encourage your child to borrow regularly
- Volunteer: Help organize library, donate books
- Fundraise: School book drives
Creating a Library Culture at Home
Dedicated space: Bookshelf in child’s room or family area Organization: By age, genre, or color (kids love color-coding!) Accessibility: Books at child’s height, easy to reach Cozy reading corner: Cushions, good light, comfortable Visible: Books should be seen, not hidden in cupboards
Raising Readers: Practical Tips
Birth to Age 5
Read aloud daily: 10-20 minutes, even to babies Make it routine: Bedtime story every night Interactive: Point at pictures, make sounds, ask questions Repeat favorites: Kids love repetition (embrace it!) Act it out: Use voices, gestures, enthusiasm
Ages 6-9
Transition to independence: Start with short chapter books Read together: Take turns reading pages/chapters Discuss: Ask what they think will happen next Don’t force: Let them choose books they enjoy Celebrate: Praise reading effort, not just success
Ages 10+
Provide books: Have books available always Model reading: Let them see you read Book talks: Discuss what you’re both reading Freedom: Let them choose their own books No shame: Comics, magazines count as reading Keep reading aloud: Even teens enjoy family read-alouds
Creating Reading Habits
No screen time before reading time: 20 minutes reading, then screens Weekend library trips: Make it a ritual Book gifts: Birthdays, holidays = book + other gift Reading challenges: 10 books in summer, etc. Author visits: Take kids to book events (Storymoja Festival)
Book Events for Kids in Kenya
Storymoja Hay Festival (September)
- Children’s day: Dedicated kids’ programming
- Activities: Story time, book launches, meet authors
- Location: Nairobi
- Cost: Some events free, others KES 100-500
Nairobi International Book Fair (September)
- Kids’ section: Books, activities, performances
- Location: KICC
- Cost: KES 100-300 entry
Library story times:
- British Council: Monthly story sessions
- Check local libraries for schedules
- Usually free
Bookstore events:
- Text Book Centre: Occasional author visits, story times
- Check their social media
Kenyan Children’s Book Publishers
East African Educational Publishers (EAEP)
- Focus: Educational and story books
- Affordable: KES 200-800
- Widely available
Storymoja Africa
- Focus: African stories, innovative formats
- Price: KES 500-1,500
- Quality: High
Longhorn Publishers
- Focus: School readers, storybooks
- Affordable: KES 150-600
- Everywhere: All bookstores stock these
Moran Publishers
- Focus: Diverse children’s books
- Price: KES 400-1,200
- Growing: New titles regularly
African Minds
- Focus: Open-access books (some free PDFs!)
- Price: Free to KES 500
- Online: Download or buy print
Books That Address Kenyan Issues
HIV/AIDS awareness:
- “Living Positively” series
- Age: 10-14 years
- Sensitive, educational
Disability inclusion:
- “Shujaa and His Wheelchair”
- Age: 6-10 years
- Representation: Kids with disabilities
Environmental conservation:
- “Wangari’s Trees of Peace” (about Wangari Maathai)
- Age: 6-10 years
- Inspiring Kenyan hero
Gender equality:
- “Nina the Architect,” “Issa Takes the Lead”
- Girls in STEM, boys in teamwork
- Breaking stereotypes
Bilingual and Swahili Books
Swahili classics:
- “Huko Maskini” series
- Traditional Swahili stories
- Price: KES 200-500
Bilingual books:
- English-Swahili picture books
- Great for language learning
- Growing availability
Value: Kids learn Swahili through stories, preserve cultural language
Conclusion
Building a reading culture starts with access to great books. Kenya has talented children’s authors producing wonderful stories that reflect our kids’ lives and experiences.
Start small: One book this week. Visit a bookstore or library with your child. Let them choose. Read together tonight.
Every book is a seed. Plant them generously in your child’s life. Watch literacy, imagination, and love of learning grow.
Your child’s home library is one of the best investments you’ll make. Not just for school success, but for life-long learning and joy.
Happy reading!