Korobá: The Case of the Missing Kolo by Alaba Onajin

This clever and adorable children’s graphic novel series debut is an immersive delight from start to finish!

Koroba is a young girl who lives with her mom and two younger siblings in the fishing village of Makoko, Nigeria. Most of her school holidays are spent helping her mother catch, prepare and sell seafood, tho she’s not above occasionally teasing her younger brother Taju as well. Her dog Popi is her constant companion, whether she’s with family or with her best friends Saidat and Joba.

The annual Makoko Harvest Festival is just around the corner, and everyone is excited to celebrate. The kids, especially, are anticipating the traditional breaking of their kolo boxes. In the months leading up to the Harvest Festival, the kids save money in wooden piggy banks called kolo, that are often decorated in paint and colorful beads. A few days before the festival itself, the kids gather together to smash their kolos open so that they can use their savings to buy holiday-appropriate clothes and shoes, as well as treats if there’s any money left over.

Three days before Kolo Breaking Day, Koroba heads to Saidat’s house to return some money her mom borrowed from Saidat’s mom. As expected, the best friends’ chatter turns to talk of the upcoming festivities. Koroba is surprised that Saidat hasn’t bothered decorating her box, but their discussions are interrupted by Saidat’s grumpy cousin Risi, who hates that she’s been sent here from the big city. Saidat’s father Alhaji advises the girls to go spend time outdoors as Benson the carpenter is coming to fix some floorboards. Saidat thus accompanies Koroba first to visit Joba, then to help her sell spicy shrimp by boat. It’s just another long, fun and productive day in Makoko, if somewhat marred by the dispute between Alhaji and Benson that the girls witness as Koroba drops Saidat off in the evening.

The next day is nowhere near as happy, however, when Saidat runs to meet her friends in the fish market, bearing alarming news. Her kolo has gone missing, and with it all the money she’s meticulously saved up this past year. Koroba and Joba immediately spring into action, putting on their detective caps and making a list of suspects. Will they be able to figure out who stole the box and get the money back in time for Saidat to participate in the holiday and buy new clothes?

Alaba Onajin is up front with his inspirations for this charming graphic novel mystery, citing Enid Blyton, Carolyn Keene and Herge as direct influences. He’s done credit to all of those luminaries while also creating something uniquely Nigerian. I literally had no idea of this aspect of Nigerian culture and geography before reading these pages, but felt deeply immersed in the world he was portraying, in no small part due to his terrific art. While he doesn’t sugarcoat how hard everyone works or how poverty takes a toll or, via Risi, how relatively rough conditions can be, he does highlight the communal spirit, ingenuity and kindness of Makoko’s residents. It’s a delicate balancing act, celebrating the people without romanticizing their circumstances, and one he carries off with aplomb.

I’m really looking forward to the next book in this series, and highly recommend it for anyone who appreciates quality diverse fiction as well as an immensely satisfying children’s mystery.

Korobá: The Case of the Missing Kolo by Alaba Onajin was published February 24 2026 by Holiday House and is available from all good booksellers, including