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Sari-Sari Summers
In this love letter to the Philippines (and to grandmothers), a young girl comes up with a brilliantly delicious way to attract customers after a heat wave leaves her Lola’s store empty.
Nora loves spending summers with Lola at her sari-sari store, a treasure trove filled with everything you could need, from hair accessories to toys, creamy yema to sour tamarind candy. And this year, Nora is big enough to help her grandmother. But when a heat wave strikes and no one comes to the store, Nora worries that she won’t get to spend the rest of the summer with her Lola—until she gets a sweet idea. After all, the mangoes on the tree outside are finally ripe, and with a bit of measuring, mixing, and a good deal of tasting, Nora and Lola have a refreshing way to bring people together—and to the sari-sari store. Featuring a recipe for making mango ice candy like Nora’s.
Nora loves spending summers with Lola at her sari-sari store, a treasure trove filled with everything you could need, from hair accessories to toys, creamy yema to sour tamarind candy. And this year, Nora is big enough to help her grandmother. But when a heat wave strikes and no one comes to the store, Nora worries that she won’t get to spend the rest of the summer with her Lola—until she gets a sweet idea. After all, the mangoes on the tree outside are finally ripe, and with a bit of measuring, mixing, and a good deal of tasting, Nora and Lola have a refreshing way to bring people together—and to the sari-sari store. Featuring a recipe for making mango ice candy like Nora’s.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published April 11, 2023
4 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
About the author
Lynnor Bontigao
13 books17 followersLynnor Bontigao is the debut picture book author-illustrator of SARI-SARI SUMMERS, her nostalgic love letter to the Philippines and to grandmothers. Lynnor illustrated 3 books in 2024: AT THE END OF THE DAY by Lisl H. Detlefsen(a JLG selection), KAILANI'S GIFT by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, & SEASHELL KEY(a 2024 CPL Best Fiction for Younger Readers) by Lourdes Heuer. Lynnor also illustrated THE WORLD'S BEST CLASS PLANT(one of Kirkus Reviews' Best Picture Books of 2023) by award-winning authors Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick. Lynnor will have 2 more illustrated chapter books in 2025. She is currently working on book projects with Minh Lê coming out 2026 & Jean Reidy coming out 2027. She loves stories where family relationships, culture, and food are intertwined.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
July 24, 2023
Read for my toddler's nap time. A cute story with a good grandma and granddaughter relationship. Nora comes to visit her grandma every summer. Her grandma has a corner store where she sells just about everything. Nora loves to help at the store, especially measuring. She loves to measure rice and beans for her grandma's customers. The store is located by the mango tree. This summer is hot and many customers stop coming. Grandma and Nora hang out at the bench under the mango tree and got an idea. They would make mango ice cream. The next day they sell it at the store. It was a hit during the heat wave. Customers started making their way to the store and in the mean time continue to buy their usual products.
Excellent story with a recipe at the end. I can't wait to try it out.
Thank you Candlewick Press for the opportunity to read and review!
Excellent story with a recipe at the end. I can't wait to try it out.
Thank you Candlewick Press for the opportunity to read and review!
April 11, 2023
An ode to the love between grandmothers and grandchildren, Sari-Sari Summers is a delightful, beautifully illustrated book to share. Nora spends the summers with her Lola in the Philippines. This year, she’s old enough to help out at her grandmother’s store! All kinds of food, trinkets, and necessities are found there.
Then, a heat wave comes and there are no customers…it is too hot! But Nora has an idea to make sure they visit her grandmother’s store. It’s the juicy, ripe mangos hanging on the tree outside the shop that gave her the idea.
An enchanting, heartfelt story sure to delight.
Then, a heat wave comes and there are no customers…it is too hot! But Nora has an idea to make sure they visit her grandmother’s store. It’s the juicy, ripe mangos hanging on the tree outside the shop that gave her the idea.
An enchanting, heartfelt story sure to delight.
September 1, 2023
Cute story about a girl spending the summer helping at her grandmother’s general store in the Philippines. When a heat wave strikes, they make ice candy with ripe mangoes and reinvigorate the store and their neighbors. Recipe in the back.
December 30, 2022
Sari-Sari Summers is a lovely picture book! I loved the illustrations especially the busy street scene with so much life. The story is sweet and smart! I really enjoyed seeing the unique neighborhood store that sells everything. It reminded me of a store my father had when I was growing up. This book gave me all the feels! ❤️
Want to read
September 15, 2022Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.
May 9, 2023
Cute and sweet, comes with a mango iced candy recipe. Lovely illustrations too.
January 9, 2023
An ode to grandmothers and granddaughters everywhere! I love that this story is set in the Philippines. Little Nora spend summers with her Lola at her sari-sari store, a neighborhood bodega of sorts where one can buy anything from hair clips to toys to candy. Unfortunately, because of a heatwave no one ventures outside and no one comes to the store. Then Nora comes up with a brilliantly sweet idea to attract customers and to cool down in the super hot weather. With some patience and ingenuity, Nora saves the day and her Lola's business.!
January 10, 2023
In this stunning book, Nora visits her grandma (lola) at the sari-sari shop and is allowed to help for the very first time. But when a heat wave leaves the store without customers, Nora tries to figure out a way to bring them back! This book is about family, food, and problem-solving. It is gorgeously illustrated and lovely to read aloud. A beautiful story!
December 31, 2022
What a gorgeous book! I got lost looking at all the incredible details in the street scene and on the shelfs of the sari-sari store. Children of all ages will love poring over the pages of this book and dreaming of tasty mango ice candy. The story feels like a sweet memory of time spent working with a grandparent, having first responsibilities, solving problems when the weather gets too hot, and finding a way to make everything turn out okay in the end! 5/5 recommend!
January 1, 2023
Sari-Sari Summers is such a warm, lovely read! I really enjoyed the detailed illustrations and this story brought back sweet memories of holidays with my grandma. Highly recommend.
December 13, 2022
Sar-Sari Summer is so beautiful, warm and very nostalgic! In Indonesia we have that kind of store too and before shopping malls or modern supermarkets existed, it's the best place to hang out. Bought the small dolls, marbles, stickers, snacks, etc. Thanks to the author-illustrator for bringing back that memory. I nearly tear up :)
December 1, 2023
Love how the little girl in this book thinks of a way to help save her grandmother’s shop in the Philippines while enjoying some quality family time!
August 10, 2023
It should be noted that I am a sucker for intergenerational stories, this is no exception. I absolutely adored this book. It is one that I will forever cherish in my own home library as well as donate throughout our communities in our Little Free Libraries.
Perfect book to read in the middle of summer where it is *mostly* HOT and HUMID. Cool off with some ingenuity & an icy treat. We're headed to the Philippines to follow a beautiful intergenerational relationship. Nora loves spending summers with Lola (her grandmother) at her sari-sari store, a treasure trove filled with everything you could need, from hair accessories to toys, creamy yema to sour tamarind candy. And this year, Nora is big enough to help her grandmother. But when a heat wave strikes and no one comes to the store, Nora worries that she won't get to spend the rest of the summer with her lola--until she gets a sweet idea. After all, the mangoes on the tree outside are finally ripe, and with a bit of measuring, mixing, and a good deal of tasting, Nora and Lola have a refreshing way to bring people together--and to the sari-sari store.
Another beautiful read aloud for story times. We chose Sari-Sari Summers as our July MOSS Kids Book Club pick and it did not disappoint. The children were completely engaged in the story. Measuring with Nora, mixing with Nora. Sweating with Nora. After the story, we crafted mangoes out of tissue paper & we were able to try mango ice candy that we prepared ahead of time for the kids to taste. We used Lynnor's recipe from the back of the book and it was PHENOMENAL. The kids who never tasted mango before were surprised with the tasty sweetness and all the kids were requesting seconds.
It should be noted that books that represent different cultures and perspectives NEED to be read to our youth. When kids read and learn about different cultures and perspectives (seeing different clothing, reading new-to-them words, seeing different countries/cities), this is what works on key concepts such as kindness, understanding, appreciation, acceptance, and empathy. It's our jobs as teachers/caregivers/librarians to help raise these types of kids. Who will grow to be kind, understanding, appreciative, accepting, empathetic adults who will hopefully help change our current social climate.
Perfect book to read in the middle of summer where it is *mostly* HOT and HUMID. Cool off with some ingenuity & an icy treat. We're headed to the Philippines to follow a beautiful intergenerational relationship. Nora loves spending summers with Lola (her grandmother) at her sari-sari store, a treasure trove filled with everything you could need, from hair accessories to toys, creamy yema to sour tamarind candy. And this year, Nora is big enough to help her grandmother. But when a heat wave strikes and no one comes to the store, Nora worries that she won't get to spend the rest of the summer with her lola--until she gets a sweet idea. After all, the mangoes on the tree outside are finally ripe, and with a bit of measuring, mixing, and a good deal of tasting, Nora and Lola have a refreshing way to bring people together--and to the sari-sari store.
Another beautiful read aloud for story times. We chose Sari-Sari Summers as our July MOSS Kids Book Club pick and it did not disappoint. The children were completely engaged in the story. Measuring with Nora, mixing with Nora. Sweating with Nora. After the story, we crafted mangoes out of tissue paper & we were able to try mango ice candy that we prepared ahead of time for the kids to taste. We used Lynnor's recipe from the back of the book and it was PHENOMENAL. The kids who never tasted mango before were surprised with the tasty sweetness and all the kids were requesting seconds.
It should be noted that books that represent different cultures and perspectives NEED to be read to our youth. When kids read and learn about different cultures and perspectives (seeing different clothing, reading new-to-them words, seeing different countries/cities), this is what works on key concepts such as kindness, understanding, appreciation, acceptance, and empathy. It's our jobs as teachers/caregivers/librarians to help raise these types of kids. Who will grow to be kind, understanding, appreciative, accepting, empathetic adults who will hopefully help change our current social climate.
October 25, 2023
This was a picture book centering the relationship between grandmother and granddaughter. Unfortunately, it gets lost in the wide expanse of grandparent books that have hit the market in the last few years: Nana, Nenek & Nina, I'll Go and Come Back, When Lola Visits, I Dream of Popo, Masala Chai, Fast and Slow, Spicy Spicy Hot!, and—most similarly—Lolo's Sari-sari Store. I could name dozens and dozens of others.
This one just doesn't set itself apart from the pack.
This one just doesn't set itself apart from the pack.
October 17, 2025
My wonderful Disability Support Worker, Elisa, sees keeping me socialised as a crucial part of her job ❤️. So we spend a lot of time laughing together while she works, chatting about life, and learning about each other and comparing respective cultures.
Elisa is Pinay - a Filipina woman living here in Canada for many years - and it feels like there's a dearth of picture books about her culture, so I'm always excited when I find one, both to learn from and share.
So "Sari-Sari Summers" (2023), an Own Voices PB inspired by author-illustrator Lynnor Bontigao's own childhood, about a summer heatwave and a little girl visiting her lola (grandmother) in the Philippines feels like the perfect tribute to my fabulous Elisa.
Described as a "love letter to the Philippines (and to grandmothers)," "Sari-Sari Summers" is exactly that, a delightful peek at little Nora's summer spent with her lola (grandma) at her sari-sari store (similar to a bodega).
The book is peppered with words in Tagalog that make it feel culturally immersive in the best way. And the story itself, about the two of them cleverly turning the surfeit of ripe mangoes into ice candy during a heatwave will be enjoyed by anyone really feeling the heat right now! Bontigao even includes the recipe at the end of the book.
A fabulous choice for a summer read on a hot day.
Elisa is Pinay - a Filipina woman living here in Canada for many years - and it feels like there's a dearth of picture books about her culture, so I'm always excited when I find one, both to learn from and share.
So "Sari-Sari Summers" (2023), an Own Voices PB inspired by author-illustrator Lynnor Bontigao's own childhood, about a summer heatwave and a little girl visiting her lola (grandmother) in the Philippines feels like the perfect tribute to my fabulous Elisa.
Described as a "love letter to the Philippines (and to grandmothers)," "Sari-Sari Summers" is exactly that, a delightful peek at little Nora's summer spent with her lola (grandma) at her sari-sari store (similar to a bodega).
The book is peppered with words in Tagalog that make it feel culturally immersive in the best way. And the story itself, about the two of them cleverly turning the surfeit of ripe mangoes into ice candy during a heatwave will be enjoyed by anyone really feeling the heat right now! Bontigao even includes the recipe at the end of the book.
A fabulous choice for a summer read on a hot day.
May 4, 2023
“Sari-Sari Summers” by Lynnor Bontigao ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: Children’s picture book. Location: The Philippines. Time: Present.
Nora loves spending summers with her Lola (grandmother) at her sari-sari store, filled with everything from hair accessories to toys, creamy yema to sour tamarind candy. This year, Nora is big enough to help her grandmother. When a heat wave strikes and no one comes to the store, Nora comes up with a sweet idea. The mangoes on their tree are ripe. Measuring, mixing, and tasting, Nora and Lola find a refreshing way to bring people to the sari-sari store. Recipe for mango ice candy is included!
Author Bontigao has written a book about intergenerational relationships that is filled with Philippino culture and sweet pictures. She thoughtully inserts speech bubbles in Tagalog so children whose parents speak and read Tagalog can share the words with their children. I wish the Tagalog speech bubbles also had the English translation so parents who don’t speak or read Tagalog could also share the words with their children.
Bontigao has written a love letter to grandmothers and to the Philippine Islands, and it’s 4 stars from me!🌵📚💁🏼♀️Thank you to Storygramtours, Candlewick Press, and Lynnor Bontigao for this copy!
Nora loves spending summers with her Lola (grandmother) at her sari-sari store, filled with everything from hair accessories to toys, creamy yema to sour tamarind candy. This year, Nora is big enough to help her grandmother. When a heat wave strikes and no one comes to the store, Nora comes up with a sweet idea. The mangoes on their tree are ripe. Measuring, mixing, and tasting, Nora and Lola find a refreshing way to bring people to the sari-sari store. Recipe for mango ice candy is included!
Author Bontigao has written a book about intergenerational relationships that is filled with Philippino culture and sweet pictures. She thoughtully inserts speech bubbles in Tagalog so children whose parents speak and read Tagalog can share the words with their children. I wish the Tagalog speech bubbles also had the English translation so parents who don’t speak or read Tagalog could also share the words with their children.
Bontigao has written a love letter to grandmothers and to the Philippine Islands, and it’s 4 stars from me!🌵📚💁🏼♀️Thank you to Storygramtours, Candlewick Press, and Lynnor Bontigao for this copy!
July 18, 2023
Sari-Sari Summers is perfect for the season and delightful for children and the adults who read to them! Bright sunny colors, time spent with Grandma, and a frozen treat all contribute to a summery atmosphere. And our protagonist creatively and admirably solves a problem brought on by soaring temperatures. (With the extraordinary weather many of us have been experiencing this season, the book feels especially timely.)
When a heatwave causes people to stay at home, resulting in a diminished income at Grandma's neighborhood sari-sari store, our girl and her grandmother are at a loss. As a pick-me-up, girl and gram decide to make mango ice candy, which leads the girl to suggest selling the frozen treat to draw people to the store to cool down and shop. As you'll expect, the tactic works and the girl saves the day.
If you've been following me for a while, you've probably noticed that relatability and believability are important to me in children's realistic fiction. I'm looking for books that hold high appeal, inspire creativity, and foster connections. Sari-Sari Summers does all this! I definitely recommend it. And T and I can't wait to make the mango ice candy from the recipe in the back.
When a heatwave causes people to stay at home, resulting in a diminished income at Grandma's neighborhood sari-sari store, our girl and her grandmother are at a loss. As a pick-me-up, girl and gram decide to make mango ice candy, which leads the girl to suggest selling the frozen treat to draw people to the store to cool down and shop. As you'll expect, the tactic works and the girl saves the day.
If you've been following me for a while, you've probably noticed that relatability and believability are important to me in children's realistic fiction. I'm looking for books that hold high appeal, inspire creativity, and foster connections. Sari-Sari Summers does all this! I definitely recommend it. And T and I can't wait to make the mango ice candy from the recipe in the back.
October 29, 2023
“Sari-Sari Summers ” is a perfect book for children who are in kindergarten. It's a fiction book that shows topics like culture, cooking, and family. These are some things kids in those grades will enjoy and help them stay interested in the material.
It is especially inspiring to young girls. This is a beautiful story of this young girl who traveled in the summer to spend time with her grandma in the Philippines. She helped around her grandma's shop, she had everything in her shop. One day, the store had no customers and the young girl came up with the idea to make ice cream. The store had brought a lot of customers. She loved helping people in the community. She loves to bring people all together. The book is also great due to its representation of young girls, working hard, and its inclusion of a feminine heroine.
I would choose this book for my classroom library since representation matters and to always carry your culture in your heart. It is an impactful story of how important it is to appreciate everything you have. This book also gives many different messages, but the ones I truly love are how important family is. It also shows to always be proud of yourself for being creative.
It is especially inspiring to young girls. This is a beautiful story of this young girl who traveled in the summer to spend time with her grandma in the Philippines. She helped around her grandma's shop, she had everything in her shop. One day, the store had no customers and the young girl came up with the idea to make ice cream. The store had brought a lot of customers. She loved helping people in the community. She loves to bring people all together. The book is also great due to its representation of young girls, working hard, and its inclusion of a feminine heroine.
I would choose this book for my classroom library since representation matters and to always carry your culture in your heart. It is an impactful story of how important it is to appreciate everything you have. This book also gives many different messages, but the ones I truly love are how important family is. It also shows to always be proud of yourself for being creative.
June 1, 2023
I saw it on the shelf of our local library and I knew it was probably Filipino-themed with the words "sari-sari" on the title.
There are other children's books that I've read with Filipino themes but this was one of those I really enjoyed more than the others. The illustrations were very nice and it brought back my own mental scenes of home.
Nora is visiting her lola (Grandma) in the Philippines and helps watch the variety (sari-sari) store. But when the heat drives away customers, Nora and Lola come up with a plan to draw the customers back.
I love that Nora and Lola got to bond in this book as many children who live far from their grandparents may not get this chance. I also love the ingenious way to beat the heat in hot and humid Manila: with the all-time favorite ice candies! Fruit-based ones are the best and I can't wait to have my children try out the simple recipe at the back of the book. Just need to know where to get those ica candy bags here in America... :D
There are other children's books that I've read with Filipino themes but this was one of those I really enjoyed more than the others. The illustrations were very nice and it brought back my own mental scenes of home.
Nora is visiting her lola (Grandma) in the Philippines and helps watch the variety (sari-sari) store. But when the heat drives away customers, Nora and Lola come up with a plan to draw the customers back.
I love that Nora and Lola got to bond in this book as many children who live far from their grandparents may not get this chance. I also love the ingenious way to beat the heat in hot and humid Manila: with the all-time favorite ice candies! Fruit-based ones are the best and I can't wait to have my children try out the simple recipe at the back of the book. Just need to know where to get those ica candy bags here in America... :D
July 5, 2023
Sweet, fun story of a little girl who spends the summer with her grandmother in the Philippines and helps her run the sari-sari store (“You can buy ANYTHING there! Hair clips, salty kropek, condiments, toys, detergents in small packets, creamy ema, sour tamarind candy, mung beans, komiks, and all kinds of treats!”) I would have loved this book as a child because it was my childhood wish to work at a store, especially running the check-out counter. I appreciated the ingenuity of Lola and her grandmother in coming up with something to sell when it was so hot no one wanted to go out and buy anything and my kids and I definitely wanted a mango ice candy by the time we finished reading this! The illustrations are lively and sweet and provide a good sense of ambiance. The author-illustrator wrote the book desiring to share the sights, sounds and tastes of her homeland and says the book is her “nostalgic love letter to all the grown-up kids who, like me, didn’t see themselves in books.”
May 24, 2023
What a wonderful and sweet picture book! When Nora comes to spend the summer with her Lola (grandmother), she loves to help her in the sari sari store, which has all kinds of things, including rice, sweets, and hair accessories. When there is a heat wave and no one comes to the store, Nora worries that she won’t be able to help in the store anymore. But when she sees that the mango tree is ripe with mangos, she has an idea, Nora and Lola make mango ice candy and sell it in the sari sari store. Customers return and love the ice candy! Nora and Lola make all kinds for their customers. This is a beautiful ode to family, the Philippines, and cooking together. Lovely artwork, in bright hues are charming illustrations. Sari Sari Summers will be a perfect read aloud for any time! Includes a recipe! Highly recommended.
July 24, 2023
This is Lynnor Bontigao's debut picture book as an author and illustrator! Young Nora goes to visit her grandmother every summer and this time, she's old enough to help with more orders from customers! She measures beans and rice, cleans, and fills bags with treats. The story is filled with the sights and sounds of Bontigao's native homeland in the Philippines, shown in full lovely color in the illustrations. The market is a very busy place with grandma's Sari-Sari store in the midst of it all. During a heat wave, few customers show up, and Nora worries that she won't be able to help anymore, until, hooray! she notices the mango tree's fruit is ripe. She knows they will be just perfect for making "ice candy"! I imagine readers will guess what happens next and the recipe is given at the back!
Thanks to Candlewick for this copy!
Thanks to Candlewick for this copy!
October 10, 2024
Sari-Sari Summer by Lynnor Bontigao is a wonderful and sweet picture book! When Nora comes to spend the summer with her Lola (grandmother), she loves to help her in the sari sari store, which has all kinds of things, including rice, sweets, and hair accessories. When there is a heat wave and no one comes to the store, Nora worries that she won’t be able to help in the store anymore. But when she sees that the mango tree is ripe with mangos, she has an idea, Nora and Lola make mango ice candy and sell it in the sari sari store. Customers return and love the ice candy! Nora and Lola make all kinds for their customers. This is a beautiful ode to family, the Philippines, and cooking together. Lovely artwork, in bright hues are charming illustrations. Sari Sari Summers will be a perfect read aloud for any time! Includes a recipe! Highly recommended.
March 7, 2023
"Sari-Sari Summers" is a heartwarming and beautifully illustrated picture book that celebrates the Filipino culture and the special bond between grandmothers and their grandchildren. The story follows Nora, who spends her summers with her Lola at her sari-sari store. When a heat wave hits and the store is empty, Nora comes up with a clever idea to attract customers using the ripe mangoes on the tree outside. Together, she and Lola create a refreshing and delicious treat that brings people together and fills the sari-sari store with laughter and joy. The book's recipe for making mango ice candy is an added bonus that will inspire readers to try it out for themselves. "Sari-Sari Summers" is a delightful and heartwarming read that is perfect for children and adults alike!
May 23, 2024
Nora is visiting her grandmother in the Philippines and she loves to help out at the sari-sari store. Nora gets to help organize, restock, and measure out rice for the customers that come in. However, as the temperatures rise, the customers become less frequent. As the heats swelters, Nora and her lola (grandma) try to cool down under the mango tree. With the fruit hanging just above them being just ripe, Nora comes up with a way to drive back the heat and pull in the customers.
This is is a wonderful addition to our library as we don't have many Philippino books. The mango ice candy sounds so good. With the recipe found in back, I wouldn't be surprised if several little ones would ask to give the recipe a try!
This is is a wonderful addition to our library as we don't have many Philippino books. The mango ice candy sounds so good. With the recipe found in back, I wouldn't be surprised if several little ones would ask to give the recipe a try!
May 29, 2024
Nora visits her grandmother (Lola) in the summer. She helps out at her sari-sari store which has a little bit of everything. She restocks the shelves and makes sure everything is in order. This summer, she is focusing on improving her measuring skills! But then the days turn very hot and no one is coming to shop. Nora is afraid she will be sent back home so she comes up with a great idea - make ice candies (like an ice pop) from the fresh,ripe, yummy mangoes growing outside of the store. The ice candies are a huge hit and soon the sari-sari store is busier than ever. Nora has saved the day!
The author thoughtfully includes a recipe for the ice candy so you can make your own! If not, then have a good supply of popsicles in the freezer when you read this one.
The author thoughtfully includes a recipe for the ice candy so you can make your own! If not, then have a good supply of popsicles in the freezer when you read this one.
July 7, 2023
As someone who lived in the Philippines and who is now a grandmother, I loved this story.
A child spend the summer with her lola (grandmother) who runs a sari-sari store (small neighborhood store with a little of this and that). When a heat wave keeps the customers away, the girl and her grandmother make ice candy together. Selling ice candy brings buyers back to the sari-sari store.
Although there are many Tagalog words included, context conveys the sweet story. However, a glossary really would have been useful.
Tie-in with 1st grade study of continents--Asia; Grandparents' Day; how-to units (try the recipe for ice candy!); and Earth Day/heat waves.
A child spend the summer with her lola (grandmother) who runs a sari-sari store (small neighborhood store with a little of this and that). When a heat wave keeps the customers away, the girl and her grandmother make ice candy together. Selling ice candy brings buyers back to the sari-sari store.
Although there are many Tagalog words included, context conveys the sweet story. However, a glossary really would have been useful.
Tie-in with 1st grade study of continents--Asia; Grandparents' Day; how-to units (try the recipe for ice candy!); and Earth Day/heat waves.
May 17, 2024
Nora spends the hot Filipino summer staying with her lola (grandma) and helping out at her sari-sari store (convenience store). Nora loves helping out at the store, but when the heat gets extra intense and their customers stop coming, Nora gets worried. Can she and lola figure out a way to draw customers despite the heat?
I like Nora and her lola's heat-beating solution. I love mango and sticky rice, and the iced treat they make sounds similar but frozen. There's a recipe in the back of the book I just might have to try. I like how this brings to life a common Filipino experience, celebrates ingenuity and helping behavior, and also sweet grandma/granddaughter memories.
I like Nora and her lola's heat-beating solution. I love mango and sticky rice, and the iced treat they make sounds similar but frozen. There's a recipe in the back of the book I just might have to try. I like how this brings to life a common Filipino experience, celebrates ingenuity and helping behavior, and also sweet grandma/granddaughter memories.
August 7, 2024
Nora loves helping her grandmother at her store in the Phillipines in the summer. This summer is so much fun as she is old enough to measure, restock, sort, and clean the Sari Sari Store. When a heat wave hits and there are no shoppers they rest under a Mango tree they planted together. Her grandmother notices the fruit is ripe and they both have a wonderful idea. The ice treat they make from the mangos is quite the success. They buy more fruits and keep the treats available at their store and it brings the community so much joy!
This is an amazing story and I absolutely love stories with recipes to try at home.
This is an amazing story and I absolutely love stories with recipes to try at home.
January 25, 2023
I've long been a fan of Lynnor Bontigao's work - and her debut as an author-illustrator does not disappoint! This sweet tale of the bond between Nora and her Lola, paired with absolutely gorgeous details (in both art and story), place readers in the beautiful, colorful setting of the Philippines and serves as a loving tribute to Southeast Asian life. From clever pairings, where Lynnor's artwork cheekily subverts her text, to an ending filled with heart, this is a wonderful addition to any collection :)
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