By Àlàbá Ònájìn (author) , Alaba Onajin (illustrator) Part of the Korobá series
"A graphic novel mystery story bright enough to cheer up the dullest day."
Paperback In Stock £8.99 £8.09
View All Editions (1)
June 2026 Book of the Month
Korobá and her friends Saidat and Jọba live in Makoko in Nigeria, which is where this lively graphic novel mystery story is set.
A fishing community in Lagos, where tens of thousands of people live in structures build on stilts, Makoko is about as different to the homes of UK readers as you can possibly get, but its three stars will be immediately recognisable.
Korobá, Saidat and Jọba are boisterous, smart, funny youngsters with a strong sense of fairness and justice, who are also quick to feel sorry for others who have less than they do. When someone steals Saidat’s Kolo box – a homemade piggy bank full of money she’s been saving to spend at the Makoko Festival, like all the kids in the area – her friends are determined to get it back. Using logic and their powers of deduction, they identify potential culprits and start looking for proof.
The story is a thoroughly satisfying adventure that really lifts off the page thanks to the verve and dash of Àlàbá Ònájìn’s text and pictures. The setting makes it even more enjoyable, Makoko and its community bright enough to cheer up the dullest day, and I love the way we get to learn some Yoruba words too.
There are more adventures for Korobá and her friends to come, which is just as well, because young readers will be hooked from the start.
A new graphic novel series reminiscent of Tintin, set in a vibrant African community.
Read the full description
Ten-year-old Korobá knows everyone in Makoko, the Nigerian fishing village where she lives. Between doing chores for her mother, 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 has been stolen! Buckle up, budding mystery fans... It’s time to join Korobá and friends on their thrilling chase for the culprit.
Look out for the next title coming soon: The Case of the Broken Masterpiece
‘A fascinating slice of everyday African life, skilfully realised. We need more African stories.’ - Ken Wilson-Max
‘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)
Àlàbá Ònájìn is a children’s book author/illustrator born in Lagos state, Nigeria and has a Diploma in Freelance Cartooning and Illustration from The Morris College of Journalism, Surrey, Kent, UK. He is currently living in Gloucester, England, having recently emigrated from his home in Lagos, Nigeria. He has always had a passion for telling stories through his drawings, and as a child, was strongly influenced by the illustration style of Hergé’s Tintin series; these books sparked an energy to bring his stories to young readers around the world.
Ònájìn’s work includes two picture books with Maria Modugno at Random House Studio, Waaa Waaa Goes Tawa! , and Oh No, Oj ó (2025). Past books include Anike Eleko , a comic book on girls’ education published by Farafina Books, On Ajayi Crowther Street , a graphic novel published by Cassava Republic in collaboration with the German cultural organization Goethe Institut, and other art collaborations with UNESCO on the Role of Women in African History Project, illustrating the lives of three great African women: Funmilayo-Ransome Kuti, Empress Taytu Betul of Ethiopia, and Miriam Makeba.
We've got some great stuff related to this book in our KidsZone. Head over there and check it out now.
UKLA Book Awards 2027 Longlist: All 80 Children's Books Revealed
Brilliant Children's and YA Books to Read this Summer
Get Sleuthing - 50 Cosy Crime Novels for Children and YA Readers
Àlàbá Ònájìn and his vibrant debut graphic novel, Korobá: The Case of the Missing Kolo
the best books for 9-12 year olds
Wilomina: The Land of Dreams and Nightmares
John Chalmers and 1 more
My Big Fat Christmas Poo Diary
A Hugh Dunnit Mystery: Taking Shelter
Dog Man 11: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea
Meet the Maliks – Twin Detectives: The Cookie Culprit Book 1
Love from Paddington
A new graphic novel series reminiscent of Tintin, set in a vibrant African community. Ten-year-old Korobá knows everyone in Makoko, the Nigerian fishing village where she lives.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Korobá: The Case of the Missing Kolo and determined it is suitable for children aged 7-10 years old
Korobá: The Case of the Missing Kolo features in the following genres: Featured Books for 7+ readers, Featured Books for 9+ readers, Books of the Month, Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Adventure Stories, Crime & Mystery, Stories about Family and Friends, Graphic Novels & Comics, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Paperback. £8.09, down from the £8.99 cover price. In Stock.
Korobá: The Case of the Missing Kolo was written by Àlàbá Ònájìn and published by Scallywag Press
Korobá: The Case of the Missing Kolo has 141 pages
Yes it is part of Korobá series
£8.09, reduced from £8.99. In Stock.
©PTC International Ltd T/A LoveReading is registered in England. Company number: 10193437. VAT number: 270 4538 09. Registered address: 157 Shooters Hill, London, SE18 3HP. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer
The National Year of Reading starts here. Join thousands of families and schools supporting reading for pleasure across the UK.