Korobá: The Case of the Missing Kolo
Àlàbá Ònájín
Scallywag Press

This graphic novel debut is set in the coastal village of Makoko, in Lagos. That in itself makes it worth seeking out for the rarity of such a setting in a book for younger readers.

Korobá decides to become a detective when her friend’s Saidat’s treasured kolo (a wooden money box) mysteriously vanishes just before the annual harvest festival, also called Breaking Day as it’s when the childen of the village break open their kolos and spend the money on clothes and shoes for the festival.
Korobá and her friends have to handle both family responsibilities and looking for and following clues to solve the mystery of the missing Kolo.

Àlàbá Ònájín has done a great job bringing the coastal village to life and we see such things as laundry dangling on lines strung between homes built on stilts as those who live there walk on wooden walkways and canoe through the canals, as well as market stalls with vibrant umbrellas shading both both buyers and sellers.

A lively adventure story that deserves to gain a wide audience and it would definitely enrich primary school classroom collections.

for slightly older readers is:

Legacy: The Shadow Rises
Zak Simons-Hurn and The Fickling Brothers
David Fickling Books

The first of a graphic novel three part fantasy series. Herein Scarlett Thawn, heir to the city of Hightown receives the news that that her family has been attacked, she is forced to abandon all that she cares about , With dark forces already having taken hold of the city proving her lecgacy will be far from easy. Can Scarlett overcome these evil powers and take hold of what is rightfully hers? Perhaps with help from Rex Adamar, a stranger.

Great characters, help make this a hugely exciting series opener that should ensure readers will want
to follow events right through to the end of book three.