Stories with roots,
made for every screen.
Arkina Studios develops and produces original stories drawn from Africa's history, faith and family life, and brings them to film, books, apps and the classroom.
The New Friend
On his first day at a new school, Khamani sits alone. Ariko and Zuri remember the Good Samaritan, and a stranger becomes a friend.
- Series
- Ariko & Zuri
- Format
- Animated storybook, 4 min 26
- Theme
- Kindness · Luke 10:27
- Watch
- Arkina Studios · Arkina Kids
Productions
What we have made and what is in development, across film, publishing, apps and learning.
Four departments, one story
Moving pictures
Animated storybooks, series development and short-form video.
Film → PublishingBooks
Picture books and treasuries in print and Kindle.
Books → InteractiveApps
Reading, learning and community apps for phones and tablets.
Apps → LearningAcademy
Lessons and activities for children, parents and schools.
Academy →The sun rises on the horizon of every story we tell.
Our mark is an A with a sun on its crossbar: a new day on an old horizon. It stands for stories rooted in Africa, told fresh for children everywhere.
Now showing
The New Friend
An Ariko & Zuri animated storybook. On his first day at a new school, Khamani sits alone on a bench. Ariko and Zuri remember the Good Samaritan and make him welcome.
- Running time
- 4 min 26
- Theme
- Kindness · "Love your neighbour as yourself." Luke 10:27
- Ages
- 4 to 8
- Read it
- Free in Arkina Kids
Coming to the screen
Ari & Zuri
An animated series for young children, rooted in Zimbabwean and Shona culture: songs, games, family and the land.
More Ariko & Zuri storybooks
The Lost Treasure Hunt, The Big Picnic in the Park and more Volume One stories, animated.
The Arkina Podcast
Conversations about African stories, culture, faith and family.
Books & treasuries
Ariko & Zuri
Picture books of faith, friendship and courage. Volume One includes The New Friend, The Lost Treasure Hunt and The Big Picnic in the Park.
Kingdoms of Africa
Eight journeys through Africa's great kingdoms: Great Zimbabwe, Aksum, Mali, Kush, Benin, Swahili Coast, Asante and Zulu.
Ariko's Adventure: A Grand Tour of Africa
Five journeys from Great Zimbabwe to the Serengeti in one treasury.
Wisdom of the Elders
Proverbs and stories handed down by grandparents, retold for young readers.
Modern Miracles
True-to-life stories of hope for children and families.
Paperback and Kindle editions will be sold through Amazon. Read Volume One free in Arkina Kids.
Apps
Published on the App Store by Arkina Holdings Limited.
Arkina Kids
Read-along stories, games and activities for children. Open on the web.
Learn with Ariko
Learning games linked to the stories children already love.
School Link
Keeping schools and families connected.
Arkina Accountability Buddy
A faith-based app for keeping each other on track.
Need help with an app? See Support and our Privacy policy.
Arkina Academy
Lessons, activity packs and short courses built around our stories.
For children
Maps, crafts, quizzes and words in local languages for every Kingdoms of Africa book.
For parents
Ideas for reading together and talking about heritage, faith and family at home.
For teachers
Classroom-ready lesson plans on African history for primary schools.
A London studio with roots
Arkina Studios is the creative studio of Arkina Holdings Limited. We develop original stories and produce them for film, books, apps and the classroom, keeping each one true to the cultures it comes from.
What we believe
Africa's kingdoms, languages, faith and family wisdom belong on every child's screen and bookshelf, told with craft and care.
How we work
Stories start on the page. The strongest move to animation, apps and lessons, so one world can reach children wherever they are.
Who leads it
Founded by Jabu Ndlovu, whose family roots in Zimbabwe and South Africa shape the stories we tell.
How can we help?
How do I contact support?
Email info@arkina.store and tell us which app or book you are asking about, the device you use, and what happened. We aim to reply within two working days.
Do your children's apps contain adverts?
No. Our children's apps do not show third-party advertising.
How do I restore a purchase?
On iPhone or iPad, open the app's settings and tap Restore Purchases, using the same Apple ID you bought with. Refunds for App Store purchases are handled by Apple at reportaproblem.apple.com.
How do I ask you to delete my data?
Email info@arkina.store with the subject "Data request". See our Privacy policy.
Where can I buy the books?
Paperback and Kindle editions will be sold through Amazon. You can read Volume One free on Arkina Kids.
info@arkina.storePrivacy policy
Last updated 8 October 2026
This policy explains how Arkina Holdings Limited, trading as Arkina Studios ("we", "us"), handles personal information when you use our apps, websites and books. It covers Arkina Kids, Learn with Ariko, School Link, Arkina Accountability Buddy and this website.
Who we are
Arkina Holdings Limited is the data controller. We are registered in England and Wales, company number 15726624. Registered office: 124–128 City Road, London EC1V 2NX. Contact: info@arkina.store.
Children
Many of our apps are made for children. We design them to collect as little as possible. Our children's apps:
- do not ask children for their name, email, location or photos;
- do not show third-party advertising;
- place purchases and links that leave the app behind a parental check.
We follow the UK GDPR and the ICO's Age Appropriate Design Code, and the US Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) where it applies. If you believe a child has given us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.
What we collect
- Information you send us, such as your name and email when you contact support.
- Account information, only in apps that need an account (for example Arkina Accountability Buddy): your name, email and the content you choose to save.
- Purchases are processed by Apple. We receive confirmation that a purchase was made, not your payment details.
- Basic technical data, such as crash reports and app version, provided through Apple when you have agreed to share it, used only to fix problems.
How we use it
To provide and improve our apps, answer your questions, and meet legal obligations. We do not sell personal information and do not use it for targeted advertising.
Legal bases
Performing our contract with you, our legitimate interest in running and improving our services, your consent where we ask for it, and legal obligations.
Sharing
We share information only with service providers who help us run our services (such as hosting and email providers) under contracts that protect it, or when the law requires.
How long we keep it
Support emails are kept for up to two years. Account data is kept while your account is open and deleted within 30 days of you asking us to close it.
Your rights
You can ask to see, correct, delete or move your information, or object to how we use it, by emailing info@arkina.store. You can also complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk.
Changes
We will post any changes on this page and update the date at the top.
Work with us
Co-productions, licensing, schools, press and support.
info@arkina.storeWe reply within two working days.
Arkina Holdings Limited
124–128 City Road
London EC1V 2NX