01
Featured first adventure
The first secret
The Map Beneath the Mats
A mysterious pattern beneath the training floor sends Bob and Bu following a trail that has been waiting to be discovered.
A new Bob & Bu mystery series
Every studio has a story.
Some have secrets.
Three mysteries. Two best friends. One unforgettable adventure through courage, friendship, perseverance, and the lessons hiding just beneath the surface.
For young readers, martial-arts families, and curious minds.
Adventurepage-turning mysteries
Characterlessons kids can use
Connectionquestions for grown-ups & kids
Enter Studio Secrets
Three doors. Three mysteries.
One story about becoming brave.
Bob and Bu thought they knew their karate studio. Then an overlooked clue leads them somewhere unexpected—and every answer uncovers a bigger question.
02
The next clue
The Secret of Studio 7
A hidden room. A mysterious symbol. A discovery that changes what Bob and Bu thought they knew about their studio.
03
The truth revealed
The Locker with No Key
A locked mystery and a trail of clues ask Bob and Bu to trust their training—and each other.
All three Studio Secrets books arrive August 25, 2026.
More books by Master Alicia Hinkle
Begin with the Bob & Bu Adventures.
Before the secrets beneath the studio, Bob and Bu began their martial-arts journey one brave step at a time. These warm, kid-friendly stories follow the best friends through first-day nerves, belt-test determination, and the excitement of competition.
- 01Bu’s First Day of Karate
- 02Bob & Bu’s First Belt Test
- 03Bob & Bu’s First Karate Tournament Coming Soon
Ready for an adventure?
Scan or click to order on Amazon
Scan the code with your phone, or click the picture to find the Bob & Bu Adventures.
The Bob & Bu Adventures are a wonderful place for younger readers and families to meet Bob and Bu before entering the Studio Secrets mysteries.
Free activities for young adventurers
Draw a map. Crack a code. Create a legacy.
Keep the mystery going after story time with free printable activities inspired by each Studio Secrets book—and tell Bob and Bu about the brave, funny, or surprising adventures happening in your world.
Printable activity
The Map Beneath the Mats
Draw a treasure map of your room or karate studio, then invite a friend to explore.
Download PDF
Printable activity
The Secret of Studio 7
Create a secret drum-beat code that only you and your friends understand.
Download PDF
Printable activity
The Locker with No Key
Fill a Legacy Locker with the memories and meaningful items you would preserve.
Download PDFFree for family, classroom, and martial-arts school use. An adult should help with downloading and printing.
Send a message to Bob & Bu
What’s your adventure?
Did you try something brave, solve a mystery, help a friend, or learn from a mistake? Bob and Bu would love to hear about it.
Grown-up checkpoint
A parent, guardian, or teacher must send the message. Please use only a child’s first name or nickname—never include a last name, address, school, phone number, photo, or other private details.
Look closer.
The smallest clue
may hold the biggest lesson.
The smallest clue
may hold the biggest lesson.
A mystery with meaning
Stories kids enjoy.
Lessons families remember.
Studio Secrets turns the values learned in martial arts into an adventure young readers can feel. Each mystery creates a natural opening to talk about choices, challenges, and character.
- Relatable heroes who learn as they go
- Real-life values woven into the action
- Continue the Discussion prompts for grown-ups and kids
- Short, engaging chapters built for independent or shared reading
For instructors & school owners
Bring the story onto your mat.
Use Bob and Bu to reinforce perseverance, trust, teamwork, and honest effort—without turning story time into another lecture.
Read together
Share a chapter in class, camp, or leadership training.
Talk it through
Use the included questions to connect the story to training.
Make it real
Turn each value into a simple challenge students can practice.
Written & illustrated by Alicia Hinkle
Created by a teacher who knows the journey.
Alicia Hinkle—known to her students as Ma'am and the Dragon Coach—is a Master Instructor with decades of experience teaching children. Bob and Bu grew from her belief that the strongest martial-arts lessons shape who we become far beyond the studio.
Alicia Hinkle
The first clue is coming
Join the Studio Secrets Club.
Club members get the release-day reminder, first look, and printable family discussion guide when Studio Secrets arrives.
Questions from the clue board
What families may want to know
When is Studio Secrets available?
The planned release date is August 25, 2026. Join the Studio Secrets Club for the release-day reminder.
Do readers need to know the earlier Bob & Bu books?
No. Studio Secrets is designed as a welcoming new adventure while longtime readers will recognize Bob, Bu, and their friendship.
Are the coloring pages free?
Yes. Families, classrooms, and martial-arts schools may download and print them for children to enjoy.
What happens to a child’s adventure message?
A grown-up submits it to a private, moderated inbox. The grown-up’s email is used only to respond about the message, submissions are deleted when no longer needed, nothing is published automatically, and optional sharing permission can be withdrawn before publication.
Is there a version for karate schools?
School bundle and instructor-resource details are being prepared. Instructors can contact us to register interest.