Okanona okandôongi

A free picture book in Oshindonga by Lindiwe Matshikiza

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

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Language

Oshindonga

Written by

Lindiwe Matshikiza

Illustrated by

Meghan Judge

Translated by

Rachel Nandjembo

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

Okanona okandôongi is a short illustrated picture book in Oshindonga by Lindiwe Matshikiza, illustrated by Meghan Judge and translated by Rachel Nandjembo. 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 Oshindonga. 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

Okakadhona okashona oko ka mono tango eholoko ekumumithi ndyoka lya li okakako okuza mpoka ko ka li. Efano ndika olya tameke okuhedha popepi, nokakakadhona oka vulu okudhimbulula kutya nani osha li omukulukadhi ngoka a li metegelelo evalelwapeni lyaa na siku…

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. “Okanona okandôongi” 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
• Oshikwanyama · Okaana okandongwina
• 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 Oshindonga

• 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 Oshindonga

• Mbali
• Omolwashike oondjambameya dhaa na omafufu
• Andiswa enyakwa metanga lyokoompadhi
• Ondjuhwa nOntsa
• Omulumentu Omuhikimwilwa
• Ongandu ya sa ondjala
• Okuteleka
• Tom omulandithi gwomambanana

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Okanona okandôongi” free to read?

Yes. “Okanona okandôongi” 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 “Okanona okandôongi” in?

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

What age is “Okanona okandôongi” for?

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

Is “Okanona okandôongi” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Okanona okandôongi”?

“Okanona okandôongi” was written by Lindiwe Matshikiza and illustrated by Meghan Judge; the Oshindonga translation is by Rachel Nandjembo.

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Credits: Okanona okandôongi — Written by Lindiwe Matshikiza; Illustrated by Meghan Judge; Translated by Rachel Nandjembo; Read by Rachel Nandjembo. Oshindonga, 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