About This Book:
A little girl holds lessons learned in her grandfather’s sari-sari store close while adjusting to a new home in this sweet picture book about the joy of community, connection, and Filipino culture.
For one girl, summers used to mean helping Lolo run his sari-sari store, which was always brimming with goods for the neighborhood: shampoo packets for Ate Jane, rice and eggs for Tonton, and a sympathetic ear for anyone who needed it. “Sari-sari means a good variety—just look around and you’ll see. What help can you give your community?” Lolo would say, as he filled his shelves with what people would need.
Now that she’s far from the Philippines, she misses Lolo and the friendly faces that surrounded his sari-sari store. But when she remembers her grandfather’s words, her heart keeps Lolo close, and she starts to see opportunities for connection and community in her new home.
*Review Contributed By Sara Perrera, Staff Reviewer*
A Heartwarming Story
Sophia N. Lee writes outstanding books showcasing Filipino culture. In Lolo’s Sari Sari Store, a young girl reflects back on the time she spent in her grandfather’s store. It was more than a place that sold goods to customers. Lolo forged relationships with each person that came to his store. The little girl is now far away from the Philippines and misses Lolo. She feels a little out of place in her new home but realizes that Lolo and his Sari-sari store taught her how to befriend others.
What I Loved: The relationship between the little girl and her Lolo is so sweet and is easily relatable. I enjoyed learning about the different Filipino foods sold at Lolo’s store. The illustrations were engaging with bright colors throughout the pages.
What Left Me Wanting More: The story is told from the perspective of a young girl living in America who is missing her life in the Philippines. We never learn the young girl’s name and knowing that may help connect the reader to the story more.
Lolo’s Sari-Sari Store is a beautiful book that is more than just a girl and her relationship with her grandpa. It is a book that shows that you can have an impact on the community around you no matter your age.
