About the Book
The Great Culture Heist!
In a world that's more connected, and complex, developing global citizens is in more need than ever. Young people need to understand the strengths and benefits of cultural diversity and how to build harmonious communities.
In this graphic novel, Culture Agents battle across five countries to retain culture — and maybe even teach the Xenophobes themselves why culture is the fuel that enriches lives. We've gathered artists from China, Colombia, Kenya, the U.S., and Spain to create their own illustrations of the battles in each of their own countries.
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Preview
Inside the Story
Step inside the world of the Culture Agents and discover how curiosity, courage, and cultural understanding become the ultimate superpowers.
China
Colombia
Kenya
Spain
For Readers
What's Inside The Great Culture Heist!
A complete experience for young readers — part adventure, part education, entirely unforgettable.
Story-Driven Adventures
Follow four young heroes across five countries as they battle to protect cultural diversity from the forces of fear and ignorance.
Cross-Cultural Exploration
Experience life, traditions, and perspectives from China, Colombia, Kenya, Spain, the U.S., and the Philippines.
Engaging Characters
Mobile Maria, On the Go Mo, MaoMao, and Amani — four diverse heroes each representing a different culture and strength.
Discussion-Worthy Themes
Identity, belonging, empathy, and global citizenship woven naturally into an action-packed narrative young readers love.
Globally Inspired Artwork
Six illustrators — one per country — each bring their own cultural lens and artistic style to bring the adventure to life.
Creative Team
Illustrated by Artists Around the World
The Great Culture Heist! brings together illustrators from around the globe to tell a story about culture, connection, and understanding. Each artist interprets the Culture Agents adventure through the lens of their own country and creative style.
Carmela Pintos
Galicia, SpainOverall creator of the core illustrations and design of the Culture Agents characters. Carmela believes in drawing as the most exciting and fun way to convey a concept or idea. Her vector illustrations solve signage and space humanization needs, communication for posters and merchandising.
Josh Halpern
Josh Halpern is the creator behind Culture Agents and a longtime global education and cross-cultural learning leader.
Lottie Dowling
Lottie Dowling is a global education leader who shapes the learning vision behind Culture Agents.
Joseph
Joseph is an illustrator, designer, and art director from Kenya who loves turning fun ideas into exciting pictures. His work has taken him on creative adventures with global organizations including Google and the United Nations.
Diego
Diego is a real-life Culture Agent from Colombia who loves telling stories through art. He creates illustrations for children's books, graphic novels, and character design, and especially enjoys drawing animals, mythical creatures, monsters, people, and nature. His art has been published in Colombia, China, Turkey, and the United States. Diego joined Culture Agents because he loves using creativity and playfulness to explore important ideas. He believes anyone can be a Culture Agent by asking big questions, understanding others, and using imagination to help make the world better.
许智杰
许智杰 (Xǔ Zhìjié) is a real-life Culture Agent from 南京 (Nánjīng), with family roots in 广东潮汕 (Guǎngdōng Cháoshàn). He grew up learning traditional Chinese painting, which inspired his love of art and culture. This year, he hopes to travel to 河南 (Hénán), 山西 (Shānxī), and 山东 (Shāndōng) to learn even more about China's traditions and history. Zhijie believes that culture is something you discover little by little through reading, traveling, and staying curious. That is why he is proud to be a Culture Agent.
Muhammad Rizwan
Muhammad Rizwan is a graphic designer and layout specialist based in Lahore, Pakistan. With experience supporting private, government, and international clients, he creates clean, thoughtful designs with strong attention to typography, color, and visual storytelling.
WOBL & Regu Kancil Studio
We are WOBL and Regu Kancil Studio, based in Indonesia. We work as one creative force. WOBL shapes playful, dynamic visual worlds. Regu Kancil creates comics for children across the globe.
Trust
Why Parents & Educators Will Love It
The Great Culture Heist! isn't just a great read — it's a conversation starter, a lesson plan, and a window to the world.
Encourages Empathy & Curiosity
The Great Culture Heist! shows young readers that understanding and celebrating difference is a superpower — one that makes communities stronger.
Makes Global Learning Engaging & Accessible
Instead of textbooks and worksheets, this graphic novel delivers big ideas through adventure, humour, and stunning visuals that kids actually want to read.
Sparks Meaningful Conversations
Perfect for dinner tables and classroom circles alike — the story naturally opens up discussion about culture, community, and what it means to belong.
Purpose
Why The Great Culture Heist! Matters
Global Citizenship
Young readers explore cultures across the world and discover how empathy and curiosity help people connect across borders.
Story-Driven Learning
Instead of lectures or lessons, The Great Culture Heist! uses storytelling and adventure to introduce ideas about culture, identity, and understanding.
Built for the Next Generation
Today's young people are growing up in a globally connected world. The Great Culture Heist! helps them build the awareness and openness needed to thrive in it.
For Educators & Families
Everything You Get
Everything you need to spark rich conversations about culture, identity, and our shared world.
Full graphic novel — The Great Culture Heist! (8–14 years)
Six culturally rich missions across real global settings
Four diverse hero characters — Mobile Maria, On the Go Mo, MaoMao & Amani
Classroom-ready — ideal for literacy, social studies & geography
Aligns with UN SDG 4.7 and the Inner Development Goals
Develops empathy, critical thinking and global citizenship
Who It's For
Perfect For
Students
A gripping adventure story that introduces global cultures, challenges stereotypes, and inspires young readers to think beyond their own world.
Teachers
A curriculum-aligned shared text that supports literacy, intercultural understanding, and rich classroom conversation.
Families
An engaging story that opens conversations at home about culture, difference, and what it means to belong in a diverse world.
Global Education Programs
A powerful resource for international schools, UN-aligned programs, and organisations committed to developing global citizens.
Add The Great Culture Heist! to your collection to…
- Embed a values-rich text that fosters inclusion, respect and intercultural understanding
- Explore concepts of belonging, diversity, equity, justice and inclusion
- Spark meaningful classroom discussion about identity, culture, difference and agency
- Provide a fun shared text that all students can access and enjoy
- Equip teachers with a resource that complements a globally-focused curriculum
- Empower young people to co-create harmonious classrooms, schools and communities
"An essential resource for any educator who wants to create truly inclusive, culturally-affirming learning spaces."— Educator review
Join the Movement
Help Bring The Great Culture Heist! to
More Young Readers
Be among the first to back this new Culture Agents adventure and help build a more curious, connected, and culturally aware generation.
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