Bilingual Somali-English books, free worksheets, and phonics audio — everything you need to raise a child who reads and speaks Somali.

Gift your child the love of Somali language and culture

Somali girl reading a bilingual Somali-English book by Asha Ali Noor, enjoying the experience of connecting with culture and language.

Raising a child to speak, read and love Somali outside of Somalia or Somaliland is a daily effort — English is everywhere, and Somali often only gets a few minutes here and there at home. Asha Ali Noor writes bilingual Somali-English books to make that job a little easier: stories, alphabet books, and counting books written for exactly this situation, so a child who understands more Somali than they can read has an easy way in. Alongside the books, this site has free worksheets, phonics audio for the Somali sounds English doesn’t have, and video lessons to support every stage of learning.

Written by a bilingual author and former teacher

The author of bilingual English-Somali books and resources for learners of the Somali language- Asha Ali Noor

Asha Ali Noor was brought up bilingual, fluent in Somali and English, and spent years working in UK schools supporting children who spoke a home language other than English. She noticed a gap: mother tongue simply wasn’t being taught, and Somali proficiency among children in the diaspora varied hugely. Having raised four children of her own with little material available for Somali language learning, she started writing the books she wished had existed.

[Read Asha’s full story →]

Start with a bilingual story

Picture of Somali alphabet and children's toys on the cover of the Somali activity book for young children
Xarfaha Af-Soomaaliga -The Somali Alphabet. An activity book that introduces the Somali alphabet — the natural starting point for young learners . Ages 3+.
Bisadii Yarayd ee Luntay - The Lost Kitten – bilingual Somali English children's story book by Asha Ali Noor
A gentle bilingual story for children just starting to read on their own. Ages 4–7.
Shimbirtii Dahabka Ahayd, The Golden Bird – bilingual Somali English story book by Asha Ali Noor
A longer story for confident young readers who've outgrown picture books.

[Browse all 17 bilingual books →] 

Written for families like yours

– Somali parents raising children in the diaspora
– Bilingual educators and EAL teachers
– School and community librarians
– Grandparents wanting to share stories in Somali
– Anyone learning Somali as a second language

Free resources to start today

alphabet poster
Free Somali Alphabet Poster Download and print a poster of the full Somali alphabet. [Get the poster →]
Free Videos lessons with matching worksheets covering letters, numbers, colours, family words and more. (https://ashaalinoor.com/learn-somali/)
Free Worksheets & Videos** Nine free video lessons with matching worksheets covering letters, numbers, colours, family words and more. Explore the learning and video pages. [Explore Learning→]
The Somali Alphabet - consonant, long vowels and short vowels.
Phonics Audio. Hear the Somali sounds English doesn't have — C, X, J, Kh and Dh — explained and spoken aloud. [Listen and learn →]

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