THE CASE OF THE MISSING KOLO

A young detective sets out to solve her inaugural case.

Korobá springs into action when her friend Saidat’s kolo—her treasured wooden piggy bank—vanishes before Breaking Day, when the youngsters of Makoko smash their kolos and spend their cash on shoes and clothes for the harvest festival. The mystery moves briskly as Korobá, Saidat, and their pal Joba investigate suspects while juggling household chores such as washing clothes and helping out at the market. Ònájìn’s illustrations are magnificent, particularly in their portrayal of a Nigerian fishing village. Makoko pulses with life: Wooden boardwalks stretch across shimmering lagoon waters, brightly painted canoes glide between stilt houses, and the bustling market teems with vendors selling fried shrimp and fresh fish beneath colorful umbrellas. In an author’s note, Nigerian-born Ònájìn states that the story represents his dream to show “a much-needed vision of Africa as it really is—a vibrant continent with many varied countries and cultures, in which children live and play and dream.” He more than succeeds, crafting an inviting world grounded in quotidian details—laundry lines strung between homes, children racing across planks above the water—yet rife with thrills and adventure. Popi the dog provides comic relief worthy of Tintin’s Snowy, while Korobá proves both a fair-minded and perceptive detective and a devoted friend.

A spectacular series starter for aspiring gumshoes.