Korobá: The Case of the Missing Kolo
Àlàbá Ònájìn
Holiday House
Published February 24, 2026
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About Korobá: The Case of the Missing Kolo
A charismatic young sleuth takes on a case close to home in this new graphic novel series set in a vibrant African community.
Ten-year-old Korobá knows everyone in Makoko, the Nigerian fishing village where she lives.
She knows her way up and down the bright, colorful waterways, knows where to sell fried shrimp, and knows what to look for at the crowded daily market. Makoko is her playground, and she roams free with her best friends, Saidat and Joba, and her adorable dog, Popi.
The last thing Korobá would expect in Makoko is a thief. Yet Saidat’s wooden piggy bank—her Kolo—has been stolen. The children of Makoko save coins in their Kolo all year long, waiting to spend their money at the annual harvest festival. Saidat saved and saved, but now she will have nothing. It’s not fair!
Korobá knows what good detectives do…(sort of?). Should the primary suspect be Saidat’s grumpy cousin, visiting on vacation? Or could it be the village carpenter, who has been doing some work on Saidat’s house? It’s up to Detective Korobá to catch the thief and find the missing Kolo before Breaking Day!
Buckle up, budding mystery fans… It’s time to join Korobá and friends on their thrilling chase for the culprit. With rich, detailed illustrations—featuring some very important clues—that bring Makoko to life, this one-of-a-kind graphic novel series is a modern day Tintin meets Encyclopedia Brown.
My Review
I love that this mystery cleverly introduces readers to a tradition in Makoko, a Nigerian fishing village. Children save money in a decorated box all year and break the box open before an annual festival to buy the things they need for the year. This sets up some interesting stakes, because it’s not just a child’s money that is stolen, though that would be horrible. Saidat’s year of savings is taken, and with it, her ability to buy much-needed items for the coming year.
Korobá and her friends juggle family responsibilities with seeking clues and chasing leads to unravel the mystery of the missing Kolo. The pacing was nicely done, and the clues came together organically, so that the resolution made perfect sense while maintaining enough mystery throughout to keep readers guessing.
Many pages were made up of a single panel, and several times, a two-page spread shows a detailed view of a scene, including the market and parts of the city. The illustrations are engaging and help give context to the story.
Perfect for mystery fans and readers interested in international settings.
Content Notes
Recommended for Ages 7 to 11.
Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.
Romance/Sexual Content
None.
Spiritual Content
None.
Violent Content
Someone steals a Kolo, a piggy bank full of money, from a child.
Drug Content
None.
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