Donki ǀgôab xa

A free picture book in Khoekhoegowab by Lindiwe Matshikiza

Donki ǀgôab xa is a picture book in Khoekhoegowab for ages 5–11 by Lindiwe Matshikiza that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language

Khoekhoegowab

Written by

Lindiwe Matshikiza

Illustrated by

Meghan Judge

Translated by

Ivan Petrus Josob

Reading level

ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs

From

Namibia

Source

Global Storybooks

Licence

CC BY 4.0

Price

Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Donki ǀgôab xa is a short illustrated picture book in Khoekhoegowab by Lindiwe Matshikiza, illustrated by Meghan Judge and translated by Ivan Petrus Josob. It is written for ages 5–11 (Grades 2–3) and is graded as Level 3 · First paragraphs, so it works as a read-aloud for little ones and as practice for children learning to read in Khoekhoegowab. The book comes from Global Storybooks and is shared under an open CC BY 4.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 22 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

ǂKham ǀgôaro ge is ge, ǃhao īsi-e ge mûsa. Nē īsi-i ra ǀgū, khamis ge ǃgom tarekhoesa ra mû. Taoxa, xawe ǁkhoases ge nē ǂkham ǀgôarosa nē khoes ǁga ra ǃgûǀgū.” Ūbasen si da ge nî,” tin ge ǂkham ǀgôaros…

Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY 4.0).

This story in other languages

Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “Donki ǀgôab xa” is also available in:

• Afrikaans · Donkie-kind
• Bemba · Umwana Punda
• Dhopadhola · Nyathi Ma Nyakare
• English · Donkey child
• Jamaican Creole · Dangki Pikni
• Kaonde · Mbongolo Mwana
• Kiswahili · Mtoto Punda
• Lukhonzo · Akana K’epunda
• Lunda · Mwana wa Donki
• Luvale · Mwana Chimbulu
• Mauritian Creole · Zanfan-Bourik
• Nyanja · Mwana wa Bulu
• Oshikwanyama · Okaana okandongwina
• Oshindonga · Okanona okandôongi
• Otjiherero · Okasinona
• Somali · Ilmo dameer ah
• Spanish · El Niño Burro
• Tonga · Kana Kambongolo
• Tswana · Ngwana wa setshwano sa tonki
• Turkana · Ikoku sikiria
• Xhosa · Umbhongolo, Usana Olusisimanga
• Zulu · Umntwana ongajwayelekile

Reading together in Khoekhoegowab

• Read it aloud first, pointing at the pictures; then let your child “read” the pictures back to you.
• Ask open questions: what happened, how did the character feel, what would you do?
• Growing up with two languages? Talk about the story in whichever language feels easiest — the understanding carries over.

More free books in Khoekhoegowab

• Sakimab di ams
• Xamarina ǃgôas
• ǀGam
• ǃKhaon ǀûna ūhâba tama ǃaromas
• Andiswa ǂoaǂamsa ǂaiǃgai ǀhuru-aos
• Anis tsî ǃAriǃkhās hâra xa
• ǂNam ra aob
• ǃÂsa ǁnâseb xa

See all 40 free Khoekhoegowab books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Donki ǀgôab xa” free to read?

Yes. “Donki ǀgôab xa” is free to read online in Pagine on any phone, tablet or computer — no payment and nothing to download. It is openly licensed (CC BY 4.0).

What language is “Donki ǀgôab xa” in?

It is written in Khoekhoegowab. Pagine has 40 free children’s books in Khoekhoegowab.

What age is “Donki ǀgôab xa” for?

It is best for ages 5–11 (Level 3 · First paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Donki ǀgôab xa” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Turkana, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and more.

Who wrote “Donki ǀgôab xa”?

“Donki ǀgôab xa” was written by Lindiwe Matshikiza and illustrated by Meghan Judge; the Khoekhoegowab translation is by Ivan Petrus Josob.

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Credits: Donki ǀgôab xa — Written by Lindiwe Matshikiza; Illustrated by Meghan Judge; Translated by Ivan Petrus Josob. Khoekhoegowab, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (storybooksnamibia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=15028). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026