Nozibele nozondjise ndatu

Name: Nozibele nozondjise ndatu
Availability: InStock
Author: Tessa Welch

A free picture book in Otjiherero by Tessa Welch

Cover of Nozibele nozondjise ndatu, a Otjiherero picture book

Nozibele nozondjise ndatu is a picture book in Otjiherero for ages 5–11 by Tessa Welch that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

📖 Read it free →

Language: Otjiherero
Written by: Tessa Welch
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Angelika Tjoutuku & Asnath Mundjindjiri
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 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Nozibele nozondjise ndatu is a short illustrated picture book in Otjiherero by Tessa Welch, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Angelika Tjoutuku & Asnath Mundjindjiri. 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 Otjiherero. The book comes from Global Storybooks and is shared under an open CC BY 3.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 31 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Rukuru tjinene, ovasukona vetatu va ire okukatyora. Oko kwa ri noupyu tjinene nu ovo arire tji va i konḓonḓu okukayova. Ovo va nyanda nu ave ṱumbu nokuyova momeva. Tjimanga, ovo va kamuna kutja eyuva ra toko. Ovo va purukutire okuyaruka…

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

This story in other languages

Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “Nozibele nozondjise ndatu” is also available in:

Reading together in Otjiherero

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 Otjiherero

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Nozibele nozondjise ndatu” free to read?

Yes. “Nozibele nozondjise ndatu” 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 3.0).

What language is “Nozibele nozondjise ndatu” in?

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

What age is “Nozibele nozondjise ndatu” for?

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

Is “Nozibele nozondjise ndatu” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Nigerian Pidgin, Kiswahili, EkeGusii, Kikamba, Kimaasai and more.

Who wrote “Nozibele nozondjise ndatu”?

“Nozibele nozondjise ndatu” was written by Tessa Welch and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Otjiherero translation is by Angelika Tjoutuku & Asnath Mundjindjiri.

Scan to get the free Pagine reading tracker app

Track reading with the free Pagine app

Log books, set goals and build a daily reading habit — free on iOS, Android and the web.

Get the free app →

Credits: Nozibele nozondjise ndatu — Written by Tessa Welch; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Angelika Tjoutuku & Asnath Mundjindjiri; Read by Angelika Tjoutuku. Otjiherero, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (storybooksnamibia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=1880). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026