Okaana okandongwina

A free picture book in Oshikwanyama by Lindiwe Matshikiza

Okaana okandongwina is a picture book in Oshikwanyama for ages 5–11 by Lindiwe Matshikiza that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language

Oshikwanyama

Written by

Lindiwe Matshikiza

Illustrated by

Meghan Judge

Translated by

Bertha Haimbodi

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

Okaana okandongwina is a short illustrated picture book in Oshikwanyama by Lindiwe Matshikiza, illustrated by Meghan Judge and translated by Bertha Haimbodi. 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 Oshikwanyama. 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

Okakadona kanini oko ka mona tete eholoko loshinima shi li molupe likumwifa shi li okanano oku dja opo ka li. Olupe loshinima eshi ola enda tali ehena popepi, okakadona oka dimbulukwa kutya mboli omukulukadi e li meteelelo ledalelwapeni, li he…

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. “Okaana okandongwina” is also available in:

• Afrikaans · Donkie-kind
• Bemba · Umwana Punda
• Dhopadhola · Nyathi Ma Nyakare
• English · Donkey child
• Jamaican Creole · Dangki Pikni
• Kaonde · Mbongolo Mwana
• Khoekhoegowab · Donki ǀgôab xa
• Kiswahili · Mtoto Punda
• Lukhonzo · Akana K’epunda
• Lunda · Mwana wa Donki
• Luvale · Mwana Chimbulu
• Mauritian Creole · Zanfan-Bourik
• Nyanja · Mwana wa Bulu
• 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 Oshikwanyama

• 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 Oshikwanyama

• Omolwashike ondjabameva ihe na olududi
• Andiswa omulyatitanga dingi
• Oxuxwa nonhwa
• Omulumenhu omushikimwilwa
• Ongadu ya fya ondjla
• Okuteleka
• Tom omulandifi womabanana
• Shikombo, Mbwa nOngobe

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Okaana okandongwina” free to read?

Yes. “Okaana okandongwina” 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 “Okaana okandongwina” in?

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

What age is “Okaana okandongwina” for?

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

Is “Okaana okandongwina” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Okaana okandongwina”?

“Okaana okandongwina” was written by Lindiwe Matshikiza and illustrated by Meghan Judge; the Oshikwanyama translation is by Bertha Haimbodi.

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Credits: Okaana okandongwina — Written by Lindiwe Matshikiza; Illustrated by Meghan Judge; Translated by Bertha Haimbodi. Oshikwanyama, 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