Tara ovipuka

Name: Tara ovipuka
Availability: InStock
Author: Jenny Katz

A free picture book in Otjiherero by Jenny Katz

Cover of Tara ovipuka, a Otjiherero picture book

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

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Language: Otjiherero
Written by: Jenny Katz
Illustrated by: Sandy Campbell
Translated by: Angelika Tjoutuku, Asnath Mundjindjiri
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

Tara ovipuka is a short illustrated picture book in Otjiherero by Jenny Katz, illustrated by Sandy Campbell and translated by Angelika Tjoutuku, Asnath Mundjindjiri. 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 Otjiherero. 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

Tara ovipuka. Ongombe i tja “Mbuu.” Ongombo i tja “Mee, mee.” Okakambe ke tja “Hihih.” Ombinda i tja”Hwii, hwiii.” Ohunguriva i tja “Kurukukuu.” Ombwa i tja “Hau, hau.” Omuṱuta u tja “Tjtj!” Tara ovipuka — Written by Jenny Katz; Illustrated…

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. “Tara ovipuka” 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 “Tara ovipuka” free to read?

Yes. “Tara ovipuka” 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 “Tara ovipuka” in?

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

What age is “Tara ovipuka” for?

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

Is “Tara ovipuka” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Tara ovipuka”?

“Tara ovipuka” was written by Jenny Katz and illustrated by Sandy Campbell; the Otjiherero translation is by Angelika Tjoutuku, Asnath Mundjindjiri.

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Credits: Tara ovipuka — Written by Jenny Katz; Illustrated by Sandy Campbell; Translated by Angelika Tjoutuku, Asnath Mundjindjiri; Read by Asnath Mundjindjiri. Otjiherero, 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