Okamwameme mati okananyalo

Name: Okamwameme mati okananyalo
Availability: InStock
Author: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi

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

Cover of Okamwameme mati okananyalo, a Oshikwanyama picture book

Okamwameme mati okananyalo is a picture book in Oshikwanyama 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: Oshikwanyama
Written by: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi
Illustrated by: Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter
Translated by: Fritz David
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

Okamwameme mati okananyalo is a short illustrated picture book in Oshikwanyama by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi, illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter and translated by Fritz David. 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 Oshikwanyama. 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 33 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Onda penduka ndele handi shakala omundilo. Ohandi fulukifa omeva. Ohandi pandaula oikuni. Handi pilula mombiya. Handi kombo olukolongo. Handi wapaleke oiyaxa. Omolwashike ndi na okulonga noudiinini… …manga omumwamememati e lipyakidila nokudanauka. Okamwameme mati okananyalo — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani…

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. “Okamwameme mati okananyalo” is also available in:

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

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Okamwameme mati okananyalo” free to read?

Yes. “Okamwameme mati okananyalo” 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 “Okamwameme mati okananyalo” in?

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

What age is “Okamwameme mati okananyalo” for?

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

Is “Okamwameme mati okananyalo” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Kiswahili, Kikamba, Kimaasai, Turkana, Somali and more.

Who wrote “Okamwameme mati okananyalo”?

“Okamwameme mati okananyalo” was written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi and illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter; the Oshikwanyama translation is by Fritz David.

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Credits: Okamwameme mati okananyalo — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; Illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter; Translated by Fritz David. Oshikwanyama, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (storybooksnamibia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=2896). CC BY-NC 3.0. · Page updated October 2026