Tala koinamwenyo

Name: Tala koinamwenyo
Availability: InStock
Author: Jenny Katz

A free picture book in Oshikwanyama by Jenny Katz

Cover of Tala koinamwenyo, a Oshikwanyama picture book

Tala koinamwenyo is a picture book in Oshikwanyama for ages 2–8 by Jenny Katz that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Oshikwanyama
Written by: Jenny Katz
Illustrated by: Sandy Campbell
Translated by: Fritz David
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

Tala koinamwenyo is a short illustrated picture book in Oshikwanyama by Jenny Katz, illustrated by Sandy Campbell and translated by Fritz David. 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 Oshikwanyama. 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 25 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Tala koinamwenyo. Ongobe ohai ti, “Buuuu.” Oshikombo ohashi ti, “Mee, mee.” Onghambe ohai ti, “Hii, hii.” Oshingulu ohashi ti, “Oinki, Oinki.” Oxuxwa ohai ti, “Kokokokokoko.” Ombwa ohai ti, “Wawu.” Omunafaalama oha ti, “Shhhi!” Tala koinamwenyo — Written by Jenny Katz;…

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. “Tala koinamwenyo” is also available in:

Reading together in Oshikwanyama

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 Oshikwanyama

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Tala koinamwenyo” free to read?

Yes. “Tala koinamwenyo” 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 “Tala koinamwenyo” in?

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

What age is “Tala koinamwenyo” for?

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

Is “Tala koinamwenyo” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Hausa, Kiswahili, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa and more.

Who wrote “Tala koinamwenyo”?

“Tala koinamwenyo” was written by Jenny Katz and illustrated by Sandy Campbell; the Oshikwanyama translation is by Fritz David.

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Credits: Tala koinamwenyo — Written by Jenny Katz; Illustrated by Sandy Campbell; Translated by Fritz David. Oshikwanyama, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (storybooksnamibia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=1221). CC BY-NC 3.0. · Page updated October 2026