Embo lyonkalo yombepo

Name: Embo lyonkalo yombepo
Availability: InStock
Author: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi

A free picture book in Oshindonga by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi

Cover of Embo lyonkalo yombepo, a Oshindonga picture book

Embo lyonkalo yombepo is a picture book in Oshindonga for ages 2–8 by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Oshindonga
Written by: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi
Illustrated by: Sandra McDougall, Ingrid Schechter
Translated by: Rachel Nandjembo
Reading level: ages 2–8 · preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 1 · First words
From: Namibia
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY-NC 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Embo lyonkalo yombepo is a short illustrated picture book in Oshindonga by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi, illustrated by Sandra McDougall, Ingrid Schechter and translated by Rachel Nandjembo. It is written for ages 2–8 (Nursery–Year 1) and is graded as Level 1 · First words, so it works as a read-aloud for little ones and as practice for children learning to read in Oshindonga. The book comes from Global Storybooks and is shared under an open CC BY-NC 3.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 37 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Okwa kukuta. Etango olya pupyala. Oku na ombepo. Oku na iikogo. Okwa talala. Otaku lokwa. Oku na oombadhi nomityalakato. Ondi wete uutamvula. Embo lyonkalo yombepo — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; Illustrated by Sandra McDougall, Ingrid Schechter;…

Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY-NC 3.0).

This story in other languages

Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “Embo lyonkalo yombepo” is also available in:

Reading together in Oshindonga

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 Oshindonga

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Embo lyonkalo yombepo” free to read?

Yes. “Embo lyonkalo yombepo” 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-NC 3.0).

What language is “Embo lyonkalo yombepo” in?

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

What age is “Embo lyonkalo yombepo” for?

It is best for ages 2–8 (Level 1 · First words). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Embo lyonkalo yombepo” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Yoruba, Kiswahili, Kikuyu, Kimaasai, Turkana and more.

Who wrote “Embo lyonkalo yombepo”?

“Embo lyonkalo yombepo” was written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi and illustrated by Sandra McDougall, Ingrid Schechter; the Oshindonga translation is by Rachel Nandjembo.

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Credits: Embo lyonkalo yombepo — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; Illustrated by Sandra McDougall, Ingrid Schechter; Translated by Rachel Nandjembo; Read by Rachel Nandjembo. Oshindonga, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (storybooksnamibia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=1861). CC BY-NC 3.0. · Page updated October 2026