Author Chat With Lynnor Bontigao (Sari-Sari Summers), Plus Giveaway! ~ US/CAN Only!

Today we are very excited to share a special interview with author Lynnor Bontigao (Sari-Sari Summers)!

Read on to learn more about her, her book, and a giveaway!

Meet the Author: Lynnor Bontigao

Lynnor Bontigao hails from one of the more than 7,600 islands of the Philippines. She is the illustrator of Jack & Agyu by Justine Villanueva and You Are Revolutionary by Cindy Wang Brandt. Sari-Sari Summers is her debut as author-illustrator. A member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the winner of the 2020 SCBWI Tomie dePaola Professional Development Award, Lynnor Bontigao lives in New Jersey with her family.

Website * Twitter * Instagram * Facebook 

About the Book: 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. With soft, heartfelt illustrations, Lynnor Bontigao’s endearing picture book—featuring a recipe for making mango ice candy like Nora’s—is an ode to ingenuity and to intergenerational relationships that’s as sweet and gentle as a kiss on the cheek.

Amazon * B&N * IndieBound * Goodreads

~Author Chat~

YABC: What gave you the inspiration to create SARI-SARI SUMMERS? 

The seed of the idea was an illustration I made of a girl waiting at a sari-sari store. It brought back memories of childhood when I visited my own grandmother who owned a sari-sari store in the Philippines.

YABC: Which came first, the title or the story? 

I pitched it to my agent as Sari-Sari Summers. Even in its earliest form, the story already had ice candy so I knew it was best to be set in the summer, and coincidentally, mango season as well. I also love alliterations!

YABC: What spread in the book are you most proud of, and why?

I have two and one of them is the street scene because it offers a slice of life and a glimpse into the bustling and colorful scenes I grew up with. There are Filipino words that are not translated and I hope our readers will be excited to say them out loud.

YABC: What do you like most about the cover?

I love that it clearly shows the iconic sari-sari store look brimming with a variety of goods. I also love that Nora is doing a “Mano po” (takes lola’s hand to her forehead) gesture. It is a traditional way we respectfully greet our elders.

YABC: What is the main message or lesson you would like your reader to remember from this book? 

I’m hoping kids at heart (like me) are reminded of their childhood, but also use it as a way to connect with the younger readers who haven’t been to the Philippines or seen a sari-sari store, and that resourcefulness and making something with your loved one can bring them closer together and even bring the community back.

YABC: This is the first book you have both written and illustrated. When did you know you wanted to be an author? 

I remember that at 10-years-old, I stapled pieces of paper together and made a book about a girl who didn’t want to take a bath.

YABC: How do you keep your ‘voice’ true to the age category you are writing within? 

I think there’s still that 7 or 8-year-old kid in me. I still feel a sense of wonder and curiosity every time.

YABC: What other age group would you consider writing for?

I would consider writing an early reader series but to me, picture books would probably be my favorite still. While the target is 3-7/4-8, I’ve seen picture books enjoyed by all ages.

YABC: Where do you do most of your writing and illustrating?

I work at my desk in the basement. If I had the means, I would like to work in a bright sunlit room surrounded by a garden. I can dream, right?

YABC: What hobbies do you enjoy?

Too many! I’m learning the ukulele, I enjoy baking sourdough bread and cooking, and I am way too invested in KDramas.

YABC: What would you say is your superpower?

I’m not sure it’s a superpower but I can say “thank you” in at least 17 languages.

YABC: What’s up next for you?

I illustrated a picture book coming out in May called The World’s Best Class Plant written by Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick (Putnam/Penguin Random House). I also finished illustrating At the End of the Day by Lisl Detlefsen (Knopf), out in 2024. I am currently illustrating Kailani’s Gift by Dorina Gilmore-Young (Waterbrook Multnomah) and an early reader series called Seashell Key by Lourdes Heuer (Abrams), both out in 2024 or 2025. I’m excited for all these projects!

YABC: Is there anything that you would like to add?

I just want to thank everyone who has shown love for my debut picture book Sari-Sari Summers. It is quite daunting and overwhelming as a first-time author so I really appreciate when readers say they like it. They give me courage to keep going.

Thank you, YA Books Central!

Title: Sari-Sari Summers

Author-Illustrator: Lynnor Bontigao

Release Date: April 11, 2023

Publisher: Candlewick Press

ISBN-10: 1536226149

ISBN-13: 9781536226140

Genre: Picture Book

Age Range: 3-7

~ Giveaway Details ~

Three (3) winners will receive a copy of Sari-Sari Summers (Lynnor Bontigao) ~US/CAN Only!

*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway*

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