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Korobá: The Case of the Missing Kolo

Part of Korobá

Author Àlàbá Ònájìn

Illustrated by Àlàbá Ònájìn

Hardcover

$24.99 US

Candlewick | Holiday House

6.82"W x 8.77"H x 0.53"D | 17 oz | 20 per carton

On sale Feb 24, 2026 | 144 Pages | 9780823459131

Age 7-11 years

FOC Jan 26, 2026 | Catalog December 2025

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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.

Àlàbá Ònájìn is the Nigerian-born author/illustrator of Waaa Waaa Goes Tawa!, as well as multiple collaborations with UNESCO, portraying the lives of prominent African women. Ònájìn also illustrated an adult graphic novel, On Ajayi Crowther Street, which was a Publishers Weekly “Graphic Novel Critics Poll Honorable Mention.” GQ Magazine named it a “Best New Book” and raved: “The real star of [the graphic novel] is Lagos.” Korobá is his first graphic novel for children.

Àlàbá Ònájìn View titles by Àlàbá Ònájìn

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• Montserrat

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An engaging, character-driven story. . . . This accessible introduction into young detective Korobá’s world is both narratively efficient and visually exquisite; a promising start to a planned series of graphic mysteries.
—School Library Journal (starred review)

Ònájìn’s illustrations are magnificent, particularly in their portrayal of a Nigerian fishing village. . . . A spectacular series starter for aspiring gumshoes.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

The Korobá series proves that one way to put a new twist on a classic story is to put it into a new context, offering readers a window into a different culture. . . . Key cultural details are woven seamlessly into the excitement, suspense, and revelations of a cracking good mystery, complete with all the clues a deductive reader might need. By the end, Makolo—brought to life in vibrantly colored, detail-rich visuals—will be a place readers are eager to visit again.
—Booklist (starred review)

Onájin perfectly balances suspense and fun in an exciting story that celebrates friendship and community while offering readers a chance to develop their sleuthing skills, too. Fans of Encyclopedia Brown will revel in solving The Case of the Missing Kolo and enjoy learning more about Makoko in the included glossary and heartfelt author's note.
—BookPage (starred review)

Onajin (Oh No, Ojó!) evokes?Scooby-Doo?vibes in this energetic caper. . . . Saturated hues inject warmth into straightforwardly paneled comics that center the everyday trials and triumphs of a vibrant fishing community.
—Publishers Weekly

The protagonist is gentle yet determined, and through her eyes, readers are welcomed into a close-knit, joyful community. The format enhances the storytelling beautifully, with panels and full-page illustrations bursting with color and movement, capturing the energy of Makoko’s markets, waterways, and celebrations. . . . A sweet, visually rich story that celebrates community, culture, and the power of young voices.
—The Horn Book

First-time graphic novel readers will easily follow the flow of the story, and mystery readers will find a well-paced whodunit.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

About

Creators

Àlàbá Ònájìn View titles by Àlàbá Ònájìn

Available for sale exclusive:

• Canada

• Guam

• Minor Outl.Ins.

• North Mariana

• Philippines

• Puerto Rico

• Samoa,American

• US Virgin Is.

• USA

Available for sale non-exclusive:

• Afghanistan

• Aland Islands

• Albania

• Algeria

• Andorra

• Angola

• Anguilla

• Antarctica

• Argentina

• Armenia

• Aruba

• Austria

• Azerbaijan

• Bahrain

• Belarus

• Belgium

• Benin

• Bhutan

• Bolivia

• Bonaire, Saba

• Bosnia Herzeg.

• Bouvet Island

• Brazil

• Bulgaria

• Burkina Faso

• Burundi

• Cambodia

• Cameroon

• Cape Verde

• Centr.Afr.Rep.

• Chad

• Chile

• China

• Colombia

• Comoro Is.

• Congo

• Cook Islands

• Costa Rica

• Croatia

• Cuba

• Curacao

• Czech Republic

• Dem. Rep. Congo

• Denmark

• Djibouti

• Dominican Rep.

• Ecuador

• Egypt

• El Salvador

• Equatorial Gui.

• Eritrea

• Estonia

• Ethiopia

• Faroe Islands

• Finland

• France

• Fren.Polynesia

• French Guinea

• Gabon

• Georgia

• Germany

• Greece

• Greenland

• Guadeloupe

• Guatemala

• Guinea Republic

• Guinea-Bissau

• Haiti

• Heard/McDon.Isl

• Honduras

• Hong Kong

• Hungary

• Iceland

• Indonesia

• Iran

• Iraq

• Israel

• Italy

• Ivory Coast

• Japan

• Jordan

• Kazakhstan

• Kuwait

• Kyrgyzstan

• Laos

• Latvia

• Lebanon

• Liberia

• Libya

• Liechtenstein

• Lithuania

• Luxembourg

• Macau

• Macedonia

• Madagascar

• Mali

• Marshall island

• Martinique

• Mauritania

• Mayotte

• Mexico

• Micronesia

• Moldavia

• Monaco

• Mongolia

• Montenegro

• Morocco

• Netherlands

• New Caledonia

• Nicaragua

• Niger

• Niue

• Norfolk Island

• North Korea

• Norway

• Oman

• Palau

• Palestinian Ter

• Panama

• Paraguay

• Peru

• Poland

• Portugal

• Qatar

• Reunion Island

• Romania

• Russian Fed.

• Rwanda

• Saint Martin

• San Marino

• SaoTome Princip

• Saudi Arabia

• Senegal

• Serbia

• Singapore

• Sint Maarten

• Slovakia

• Slovenia

• South Korea

• South Sudan

• Spain

• St Barthelemy

• St.Pier,Miquel.

• Sth Terr. Franc

• Sudan

• Suriname

• Svalbard

• Sweden

• Switzerland

• Syria

• Tadschikistan

• Taiwan

• Thailand

• Timor-Leste

• Togo

• Tokelau Islands

• Tunisia

• Turkey

• Turkmenistan

• Ukraine

• Unit.Arab Emir.

• Uruguay

• Uzbekistan

• Vatican City

• Venezuela

• Vietnam

• Wallis,Futuna

• West Saharan

• Western Samoa

Not available for sale:

• Antigua/Barbuda

• Australia

• Bahamas

• Bangladesh

• Barbados

• Belize

• Bermuda

• Botswana

• Brit.Ind.Oc.Ter

• Brit.Virgin Is.

• Brunei

• Cayman Islands

• Christmas Islnd

• Cocos Islands

• Cyprus

• Dominica

• Falkland Islnds

• Fiji

• Gambia

• Ghana

• Gibraltar

• Grenada

• Guernsey

• Guyana

• India

• Ireland

• Isle of Man

• Jamaica

• Jersey

• Kenya

• Kiribati

• Lesotho

• Malawi

• Malaysia

• Maldives

• Malta

• Mauritius

• Montserrat

• Mozambique

• Myanmar

• Namibia

• Nauru

• Nepal

• New Zealand

• Nigeria

• Pakistan

• PapuaNewGuinea

• Pitcairn Islnds

• S. Sandwich Ins

• Seychelles

• Sierra Leone

• Solomon Islands

• Somalia

• South Africa

• Sri Lanka

• St. Helena

• St. Lucia

• St. Vincent

• St.Chr.,Nevis

• Swaziland

• Tanzania

• Tonga

• Trinidad,Tobago

• Turks&Caicos Is

• Tuvalu

• Uganda

• United Kingdom

• Vanuatu

• Yemen

• Zambia

• Zimbabwe

Korobá: The Case of the Missing Kolo

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Korobá: The Case of the Missing Kolo

Part of Korobá

About

Creators

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Photos

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Additional formats

Penguin Random House

About Comics Retail

RETAILER CUSTOMER SERVICE CONTACTS