PagineHolodeyi Na Makhulu
A free picture book in Venda by Violet Otieno
Holodeyi Na Makhulu is a picture book in Venda for ages 8–11 by Violet Otieno that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Venda
- Written by
- Violet Otieno
- Illustrated by
- Catherine Groenewald
- Translated by
- Ramikosi Gudani
- Reading level
- ages 8–11 · 3rd to 5th grade · Level 4 · Longer paragraphs
- From
- South Africa
- Source
- Global Storybooks
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Holodeyi Na Makhulu is a short illustrated picture book in Venda by Violet Otieno, illustrated by Catherine Groenewald and translated by Ramikosi Gudani. It is written for ages 8–11 (Grades 3–4) and is graded as Level 4 · Longer paragraphs, so it works as a read-aloud for little ones and as practice for children learning to read in Venda. 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 21 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).
How it begins
Marubini na Masakona vha dzula ḓoroboni na khotsi avho. Vho dzula vho lavhelela maḓuvha a u awela. Husi ngauri zwikolo zwi vha zwo vala, fhedzi ngauri vha ḓo ya u dala ha makhulu wavho. Vha dzulaho kushangoni kwa dzikhovhe tsini…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. “Holodeyi Na Makhulu” is also available in:
- Asante Twi · Kɔsra Wɔn Nanabaa
- Bemba · Cuuti kuli bamaama
- Dhopadhola · Ywomirok Bothi Adhadha
- Jamaican Creole · Alidie wid Granmaa
- Kaonde · Moba Akukokoloka na ba Nkambo Babakazhi
- Kichaga · Enda Irikira Mai
- Kiswahili · Likizo kwa bibi
- Lukhonzo · Ekihumuro E’wamukaka
- Lunda · Hakunoka na nkanka wamubanda
- Lunyole · Ohuŋumulira ewa nguhwa
- Luvale · Makumbi akunokha nakhaka waphwevo
- Mauritian Creole · Vakans kot granmer
- Sepedi · Re etela koko
- Somali · Fasaxyadii lala joogay ayeeyo
- Spanish · De vacaciones con la abuela
- Tonga · Mupumuno kuli Baneene
- Tsonga · Ku Endzela Kokwana Wa Xisati Hi Tiholideyi
- Tswana · Nako ya boikhutso le mmemogolo
- Turkana · Akilakin Ata Egolitoe Esukul
- Xhosa · Ulilitha Noluniko Batyelela Umakhulu Wabo
- Zulu · Umondli Nombali Bavakashela Ugogo Wabo
Reading together in Venda
- 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 Venda
See all 50 free Venda books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Holodeyi Na Makhulu” free to read?
Yes. “Holodeyi Na Makhulu” 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 “Holodeyi Na Makhulu” in?
It is written in Venda. Pagine has 50 free children’s books in Venda.
What age is “Holodeyi Na Makhulu” for?
It is best for ages 8–11 (Level 4 · Longer paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Holodeyi Na Makhulu” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in Turkana, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Sepedi, Tswana and more.
Who wrote “Holodeyi Na Makhulu”?
“Holodeyi Na Makhulu” was written by Violet Otieno and illustrated by Catherine Groenewald; the Venda translation is by Ramikosi Gudani.
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Get the free app →Credits: Holodeyi Na Makhulu — Written by Violet Otieno; Illustrated by Catherine Groenewald; Translated by Ramikosi Gudani. Venda, Level 4. From Global Storybooks (southafricareads.org), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=12084). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026