Skol saran

Name: Skol saran
Availability: InStock
Author: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi

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

Cover of Skol saran, a Khoekhoegowab picture book

Skol saran is a picture book in Khoekhoegowab 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: Khoekhoegowab
Written by: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi
Illustrated by: Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter
Translated by: Ivan Petrus Josob
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

Skol saran is a short illustrated picture book in Khoekhoegowab by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi, illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter and translated by Ivan Petrus Josob. 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 Khoekhoegowab. 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

Nē rokhoes ge a gaxu. Nē jersis ge a kai. Nē ǁgarub ge a kai. Nē kamanaǃhâub ge… Nē ǀgawas ge a ǂkhari. Nē kausikha ge a ǃnubu. Xawe ra ge nē ǁharora a ǀasa. ǃGâise ǂâu hâ. Skol saran…

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. “Skol saran” is also available in:

Reading together in Khoekhoegowab

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 Khoekhoegowab

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Skol saran” free to read?

Yes. “Skol saran” 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 “Skol saran” in?

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

What age is “Skol saran” for?

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

Is “Skol saran” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Skol saran”?

“Skol saran” was written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi and illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter; the Khoekhoegowab translation is by Ivan Petrus Josob.

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Credits: Skol saran — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; Illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter; Translated by Ivan Petrus Josob. Khoekhoegowab, 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