In this charming and vibrant book, Lolo’s Sari-Sari Store by Sophia N. Lee, we are whisked away with the narrator as she dreams of her summers working with Lolo (her grandfather), helping run his sari-sari store. The term “Sari-sari” means “a good variety”, the store being a sort of convenience market where members of the community could buy what they needed whether it be food such as eggs or rice, necessities like shampoo or toothpaste, or even just for some light conversation with the other customers and Lolo. Our narrator reminisces her wonderful memories of the store, her dear Lolo, and the community that was able to flourish and grow in the aisles of the sari-sari store. It’s a beautiful story celebrating kindness and community, with colorful illustrations by Christine Almeda that immerse you into the world of Lolo’s sari-sari store with its abundance of yummy foods and known necessities.
The narrator and Lolo’s sweetness comes from moments helping their community as well as the slow hours when they’re able to sneak pan de sal and hot chocolate.
(Ages 4-8)
