Okangu kotjirweyo

Name: Okangu kotjirweyo
Availability: InStock
Author: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi

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

Cover of Okangu kotjirweyo, a Otjiherero picture book

Okangu kotjirweyo is a picture book in Otjiherero 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: Otjiherero
Written by: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi
Illustrated by: Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter
Translated by: Angelika Tjoutuku, Asnath Mundjindjiri
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

Okangu kotjirweyo is a short illustrated picture book in Otjiherero by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi, illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter and translated by Angelika Tjoutuku, Asnath Mundjindjiri. 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 Otjiherero. 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

Ami mba penduka nu e yakisa omuriro. Ami me sumisa omeva. Ami me ke ozonguṋe. Ami me zunga onyungu. Ami me kombo ondjuwo. Ami me koho ovitjuma. Ongwaye ami tji me ungura tjinene nao ngunda ingai okamuangu kandje amake nyanda?…

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. “Okangu kotjirweyo” 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 “Okangu kotjirweyo” free to read?

Yes. “Okangu kotjirweyo” 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 “Okangu kotjirweyo” in?

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

What age is “Okangu kotjirweyo” for?

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

Is “Okangu kotjirweyo” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Okangu kotjirweyo”?

“Okangu kotjirweyo” was written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi and illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter; the Otjiherero translation is by Angelika Tjoutuku, Asnath Mundjindjiri.

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Credits: Okangu kotjirweyo — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; Illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter; Translated by Angelika Tjoutuku, Asnath Mundjindjiri; Read by Angelika Tjoutuku. Otjiherero, 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