Omuzalo gwosikola
A free picture book in Oshindonga by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi

Omuzalo gwosikola is a picture book in Oshindonga for ages 2–8 by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Oshindonga
- Written by
- Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi
- Illustrated by
- Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter
- Translated by
- Rachel Nandjembo
- 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
Omuzalo gwosikola is a short illustrated picture book in Oshindonga by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi, illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter and translated by Rachel Nandjembo. 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 Oshindonga. 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 30 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).
How it begins
Ohema ndjika onde. Ombindja ndjika onene. Ondjato ndjika onene. Epaya ndika … Egala ndika eshona. Iikamusino mbika iihupi. Ihe oongaku ndhika oompe. … onda gwana mo nawa. Omuzalo gwosikola — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; Illustrated by…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. “Omuzalo gwosikola” is also available in:
- Afrikaans · Skoolklere
- Aringati · Ujaku ꞌbã bõ ngó sụ̃ kụ́ lụ̃ drị̂ kî
- Bemba · Ifyakufwala fya kusukulu
- English · School clothes
- Irish · Éadaí scoile
- Jamaican Creole · Skuul kluoz
- Kaonde · Bivwalo bya Sukuulu
- Khoekhoegowab · Skol saran
- Kikamba · Ngua sya sukulu
- Kikuyu · Nguo cia thukuru
- Kimaasai · Inkiláni e sukúul
- Kiswahili · Sare za shule
- Lukhonzo · Ebyambalho eby’erithendekero
- Lunda · Yakuvwala yakushikola
- Lunyole · Engoye j’esomero
- Lusoga · Byambalo bya isomero
- Luvale · Uvwalo wakushikola
- Mauritian Creole · Iniform lekol
- Nyanja · Zovala za kusukulu
- Oshikwanyama · Omidjalo dofikola
- Otjiherero · Ozombanda zosikore
- Sesotho · Diaparo tsa sekolo
- Somali · Dharka iskuulka
- Spanish · Ropa de escuela
- Tonga · Zyisani Zyakucikolo
- Tsonga · Swiambalo swa xikolo
- Tswana · Diaparo tsa sekolo
- Turkana · Ng’Iworui a Esukul
- Xhosa · Iimpahla zesikolo
- Zulu · Izingubo zesikole
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
Omaiyuvo
Okamwamememati okananyalo
Tingi noongombe
Zama ependafule!
Esiku nda thiga po egumbo ndi ye koshilando
Okuyoga momulonga gwaZambezi
Tala kiinamwenyo
Okambishi kandje oke li peni?
See all 40 free Oshindonga books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Omuzalo gwosikola” free to read?
Yes. “Omuzalo gwosikola” 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 “Omuzalo gwosikola” in?
It is written in Oshindonga. Pagine has 40 free children’s books in Oshindonga.
What age is “Omuzalo gwosikola” for?
It is best for ages 2–8 (Level 1 · First words). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Omuzalo gwosikola” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in English, Kiswahili, Kikuyu, Kikamba, Kimaasai, Turkana and more.
Who wrote “Omuzalo gwosikola”?
“Omuzalo gwosikola” was written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi and illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter; the Oshindonga translation is by Rachel Nandjembo.
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Get the free app →Credits: Omuzalo gwosikola — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; Illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter; Translated by Rachel Nandjembo; Read by Rachel Nandjembo. Oshindonga, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (storybooksnamibia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=1794). CC BY-NC 3.0. · Page updated October 2026