Okasinona

Name: Okasinona
Availability: InStock
Author: Lindiwe Matshikiza

A free picture book in Otjiherero by Lindiwe Matshikiza

Cover of Okasinona, a Otjiherero picture book

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

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Language: Otjiherero
Written by: Lindiwe Matshikiza
Illustrated by: Meghan Judge
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 4.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Okasinona is a short illustrated picture book in Otjiherero by Lindiwe Matshikiza, illustrated by Meghan Judge 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 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

Pa ri nokakazona ku ka tenga po okumuna imbwi omuhapo omukumise kokure. Omuhapo tji we ya popezu, oko ka muna kutja omukazendu omuṱumba womayuva nga susupara. Nohoṋi nouvanḓe, okakazona ka ryama popezu na ingwi omukazendu. “Ngatu muese ma kare puna…

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. “Okasinona” 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 “Okasinona” free to read?

Yes. “Okasinona” 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 “Okasinona” in?

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

What age is “Okasinona” for?

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

Is “Okasinona” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Okasinona”?

“Okasinona” was written by Lindiwe Matshikiza and illustrated by Meghan Judge; the Otjiherero translation is by Angelika Tjoutuku & Asnath Mundjindjiri.

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Credits: Okasinona — Written by Lindiwe Matshikiza; Illustrated by Meghan Judge; 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=15028). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026