ǀÛn

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

ǀÛn 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.

📖 Read it free →

Language: Khoekhoegowab
Written by: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi
Illustrated by: Bronwen Heath, Ingrid Schechter
Translated by: Maureen Merley So-Oabes
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

ǀÛn is a short illustrated picture book in Khoekhoegowab by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi, illustrated by Bronwen Heath, Ingrid Schechter and translated by Maureen Merley So-Oabes. 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 34 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Thulib ge ǃnubu ǀûna ūhâ. Annas ge gaxu ǀûna ūhâ, Cathys ge hoan xa gaxu ǀûna ūhâ. Zamas ge ǀûn âsa ǃnora hâ. Babab ge ǀho-amsa ūhâ. Zaneles ge ǀûn âsa kam hâ. Thabob ge ǁîb ǀûna ǂkhomai hâ. Thembab…

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. “ǀÛn” 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 “ǀÛn” free to read?

Yes. “ǀÛn” 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 “ǀÛn” in?

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

What age is “ǀÛn” for?

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

Is “ǀÛn” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “ǀÛn”?

“ǀÛn” was written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi and illustrated by Bronwen Heath, Ingrid Schechter; the Khoekhoegowab translation is by Maureen Merley So-Oabes.

Scan to get the free Pagine reading tracker app

Track reading with the free Pagine app

Log books, set goals and build a daily reading habit — free on iOS, Android and the web.

Get the free app →

Credits: ǀÛn — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; Illustrated by Bronwen Heath, Ingrid Schechter; Translated by Maureen Merley So-Oabes. Khoekhoegowab, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (storybooksnamibia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=1746). CC BY-NC 3.0. · Page updated October 2026