Tingi nozongombe

Name: Tingi nozongombe
Availability: InStock
Author: Ingrid Schechter

A free picture book in Otjiherero by Ingrid Schechter

Cover of Tingi nozongombe, a Otjiherero picture book

Tingi nozongombe is a picture book in Otjiherero for ages 5–8 by Ingrid Schechter that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Otjiherero
Written by: Ingrid Schechter
Illustrated by: Ingrid Schechter
Translated by: Angelika Tjouṱuku, Asnath Mundjindjiri
Reading level: ages 5–8 · kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 2 · First sentences
From: Namibia
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Tingi nozongombe is a short illustrated picture book in Otjiherero by Ingrid Schechter, illustrated by Ingrid Schechter and translated by Angelika Tjouṱuku, Asnath Mundjindjiri. It is written for ages 5–8 (Grades 1–2) and is graded as Level 2 · First sentences, 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 3.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 27 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Tingi wa turire pu na ina omukurukaze. Ovo aave tjevere ozongombe zavo. Eyuva rimwe pe ya ovasorondate. Ovo ve veyeka ozongombe zavo. Tingi na tjikukae va tupuka nave kaṱara. Ovo va kaṱara motjihwa nga ngurova. Nu vvasorondate arire tji va…

Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY 3.0).

This story in other languages

Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “Tingi nozongombe” 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 “Tingi nozongombe” free to read?

Yes. “Tingi nozongombe” 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 3.0).

What language is “Tingi nozongombe” in?

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

What age is “Tingi nozongombe” for?

It is best for ages 5–8 (Level 2 · First sentences). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Tingi nozongombe” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Tingi nozongombe”?

“Tingi nozongombe” was written by Ingrid Schechter and illustrated by Ingrid Schechter; the Otjiherero translation is by Angelika Tjouṱuku, Asnath Mundjindjiri.

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Credits: Tingi nozongombe — Written by Ingrid Schechter; Illustrated by Ingrid Schechter; Translated by Angelika Tjouṱuku, Asnath Mundjindjiri; Read by Asnath Mundjindjiri. Otjiherero, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (storybooksnamibia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=7441). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026