In the Philippines, every residential neighborhood has a sari-sari store. “Sari-sari” means variety, referring to the items they carry: snacks, “baon” for tomorrow’s lunchbox, canned goods, personal care items, batteries, even cleaning supplies. It is literally a hole in the wall of someone’s house, its access to the street usually a window with a protective screen of iron grills or wire mesh, the gaps wide enough to fit the exchange of goods and cash. 

When you’re a Filipino child, some of life’s earliest lessons are learned at a sari-sari store: manners like courtesy, learning to say “Pabili po” (may I buy) or “Salamat po” (thank you) and practices like making choices (candy or chips?), budgeting, waiting your turn, counting your change, and being neighborly. This hub of the neighborhood becomes part of a child’s core memory, reflected during pretend play of “tinda-tindahan” (playing shopkeeper). One can only be so lucky to know a sari-sari store owner where you can be an assistant for the day.

Lynnor Bontigao was one of those lucky kids. Inspired by her childhood, she wrote and illustrated the children’s book Sari-Sari Summers (published by Candlewick Press, April 2023). “My Lola Soling owned a small sari-sari store connected to her home. I remember visiting her many times and ‘helping’ just like Nora in the book. At least I think I did, but maybe I may have given too much change or spilled the soda when I transferred it to a plastic bag (this allows the buyer to skip the process of returning the empty glass bottle back to the store), or maybe I snuck a few candies for myself. To me, lola’s store was exciting,” says Lynnor.

Lynnor Bontigao is a full-time illustrator and writer. Her latest book is “Sari-Sari Summers." (Photo courtesy of Lynnor Bontigao)

Making memories with her Lola Soling was another perk. “Just like the lola and Nora in the story, my lola kissed my cheeks, which came with a long sniff like she was remembering my smell. What’s funny is that my mother does the same thing to my kids! Perhaps I will inherit this sniffing kiss technique when I have my own grandchildren,” Lynnor adds.

“Sari-Sari Summers” is a tribute to Lynnor’s Lola Soling who taught her how to make ice candy. (Photo courtesy of Lynnor Bontigao)

Lynnor, who was born and raised in the Philippines, has always had an artistic streak. “I finished with a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a major in Visual Communication (Advertising). Growing up I colored newspaper comic strips, joined the Art Guild, and did summer art workshops in high school. I also joined a children’s book illustrator group in the Philippines called Ang InK (Illustrator ng Kabataan). That’s when I realized I wanted to illustrate children’s books. I didn’t consider myself an illustrator then, but the group published a book about folktales from the Asia-Pacific and I illustrated one of the stories,” Lynnor elaborates.

When she moved to the U.S. in the 1990s, illustrating took a backseat. She says, “I studied programming and later became a programmer for a major financial firm in New York City. I didn’t think I would last that long, but I did that for 15 years.”

A company layoff, however, allowed her to return to her passion. “I was honestly relieved because it felt like a fresh start, a clean slate. I could just focus on illustration. Then a few illustrator friends got together and formed a collective, and we supported each other. That helped me stay on track to pursuing a career in children’s books.”

While the life of an illustrator can feel solitary, Lynnor has this to say “I’m fortunate to have an agent who finds me projects and supports me with contracts. We can get pretty isolated as illustrators because we can spend endless hours alone making art, especially at the beginning phase. Collaborative work happens when the editor and art director give their feedback.”

One thing that stands out in Lynnor Bontigao’s work is the diversity of her characters. (Photo courtesy of Lynnor Bontigao)

She adds: “This goes on until we get to the final art. We really want to do our best for the author’s words to shine and get the message across. To keep the inspiration flowing, I usually go to a children’s book conference to attend workshops, learn from people in the industry, and meet colleagues. I also meet up with other writer and illustrator friends regularly. It helps to be in a creative circle of friends.”

For those considering a similar career, she has this advice: “It’s never too late. While I already knew I wanted to do children’s books back in college, I didn’t get to illustrate my first picture book until I was 45. If you do it sooner, great! But if you feel frustrated that things are not happening as fast as you’d like, it’s okay, just keep working toward that. Read books in the genre you are interested in writing or illustrating. Finally, when it does happen, celebrate!”

For Sari-Sari Summers, it was important for Lynnor to tell a story encompassing Filipino culture, family relationships, and food. “I didn’t really have any children’s books growing up. When I got older, the children’s books I saw did not have any Filipino characters at all. I think if we see characters like ourselves in books, showcasing our food, traditions, and settings, we would appreciate our culture more. I was worried that my story, being set in the Philippines, might alienate readers because the scenes and some words may be unfamiliar. My wonderful editor reassured me that I have nothing to worry about. I wanted to bring a bit of the Philippines I grew up with…the sights, the sounds, the tastes.”

Growing up, Lynnor loved to buy *kropek* (prawn crackers), *yema* candy, tortilla chips, iced gem cookies, and plastic balloons at the sari-sari store. (Photo courtesy of Lynnor Bontigao)

Even her children gave her the seal of approval after reading Sari-Sari Summers. “My kids tell me that it has a sense of nostalgia and that it makes them miss their lola who is in the Philippines,” Lynnor shares. This cycle of making memories with grandparents continues. “My parents taught them a lullaby in their Ilonggo dialect. The kids still know it today,” she adds.

In recent years, more books are being published by BIPOC authors and illustrators, which Lynnor is enthusiastic about.

“It feels great! The more books we have by underrepresented groups, the better for everybody. We feel seen. I think this opportunity benefits authors, illustrators, and readers by inspiring them that WE can be the main characters. I feel so proud when our stories and voices are recognized and that more editors are craving diverse themes. I hope it continues.”

Lynnor Bontigao likes to entertain her little readers with storytelling, drawing, and playing her ukulele. (Photo courtesy of Lynnor Bontigao)

The book Sari-Sari Summers highlights a special time in Lynnor Bontigao’s life. “I would like the readers to have a glimpse of the Philippines I grew up with. For those who feel homesick, as well as those who haven’t been there, I invite them to explore the details in the book, read the Filipino words out loud, share their own memories with the young ones, and feel the connection between a grandparent and a grandchild through food,” she concludes.

To purchase Sari-Sari Summers on Amazon, click on the image below.