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Lolo's Sari-sari Store
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 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.
For one girl, summers used to mean helping Lolo run his sari-sari store, which was always brimming with goods for the 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.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2023
About the author
Sophia N. Lee
4 books32 followersSophia N. Lee wanted to be many things growing up: doctor, teacher, ballerina, ninja, crime-fighting international spy, wizard, time traveler, journalist, and lawyer. She likes to think she can be all these things through writing. She loves words and the meanings behind them. Her favorite word is 'chance'. What Things Mean is her first book. She lives in Manila, Philippines.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
September 18, 2023
Enjoyed this one so much! Beautiful illustrations and such a great look at the important of community. The main character has trouble adjusting to being in America after spending all their time with their Lolo at the sari sari stars. Eventually the realize the importance of finding community in their new home and taking all of the lessons they learned from Lolo in the Philippines and applying it to their experience in the America. Almeda killed it with the illustrations. They are bright, vivid and so engaging. Definitely a great pick for a personal or library shelf.
December 28, 2023
4.5 stars.
Lolo's Sari-Sari Store is a super cute picture book that is immersed in Filipino culture and has great messages to impart. It tells the story of a young girl who used to help her lolo (grandfather) in his sari-sari store (variety store) where she learned not just how to work in a shop, but gained important life lessons. Her lolo taught her to be compassionate and kind, to help when she could, to build community, and to listen for what people actually needed. When she moves to the US to live with her mother, she misses her lolo, his store, and the community around them. But she takes the lessons her lolo had for her, and she finds new community and new friends in her home in the US. It's a super sweet story, with great illustrations. Definitely recommended.
Lolo's Sari-Sari Store is a super cute picture book that is immersed in Filipino culture and has great messages to impart. It tells the story of a young girl who used to help her lolo (grandfather) in his sari-sari store (variety store) where she learned not just how to work in a shop, but gained important life lessons. Her lolo taught her to be compassionate and kind, to help when she could, to build community, and to listen for what people actually needed. When she moves to the US to live with her mother, she misses her lolo, his store, and the community around them. But she takes the lessons her lolo had for her, and she finds new community and new friends in her home in the US. It's a super sweet story, with great illustrations. Definitely recommended.
November 4, 2024
napaka cute nito!!!
This was the cutest little book ever, I loved the filipino rep and even a little bit of muslim rep towards the end! It reminds me of my Lola's (grandma) sari-sari store back home🥺🥺 I don't see many books with filipino rep so when I do you know I just HAVE to grab it. Maraming salamat to the authors, I needed this🥺🫶
" 'Aren't we so lucky we have more than enough to share?' I'd smile up at him, and he'd squeeze my hand, and when he did, I felt luckier than lucky."
This was the cutest little book ever, I loved the filipino rep and even a little bit of muslim rep towards the end! It reminds me of my Lola's (grandma) sari-sari store back home🥺🥺 I don't see many books with filipino rep so when I do you know I just HAVE to grab it. Maraming salamat to the authors, I needed this🥺🫶
" 'Aren't we so lucky we have more than enough to share?' I'd smile up at him, and he'd squeeze my hand, and when he did, I felt luckier than lucky."
February 22, 2024
“‘Sari-sari’ means ‘a good variety’—just look around and you’ll see. What help can you give your community?” In this intergenerational story, a homesick girl learns from her grandfather how loving kindness is the heart and soul of a thriving community. Colorful illustrations of what our world can be when we care and share.
March 1, 2023
This book was wonderful - full of joy and community support. Highly recommended for all libraries!
September 19, 2023
I love this sweet book that shows a community-minded small general goods store that a little girl helps her grandpa run, and how she will try to remember his words of advice when she moves to a new place.
July 15, 2023
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.
** This review first appeared on YA Book Central and can be found here : https://www.yabookscentral.com/lolos-...
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.
** This review first appeared on YA Book Central and can be found here : https://www.yabookscentral.com/lolos-...
August 3, 2023
This read begins with a young girl and her memories of working with Lolo at his sari-sari store. Not only is the store a visual treat, but warmth and joy come across as she explains the various pepole, who would come by the shop. Lolo's heart of gold is inspiring and is sure to bring a smile to the face. These earlier scenes especially invite in and will have readers wishing they could join Lolo, too, since there's always someone with a smile or hello.
Then, it switches to the little girl's new life in the US with her mother. Since the mother works, the girl feels alone and misses the neighborly life. Her sadness weighs down just enough to bring the emotions across without growing too heavy. It sets the atmosphere for hope and reaching out, which also forms the main message in these pages. The situations come across with familiarity and are very fitting to the age group.
A sense for community and helping others rings loud and clear as the reader accompanies the girl in finding new connections. Giving and recognizing others' needs also rounds off the message and leaves the reader with a sense of hope...and maybe, a few ideas of their own. It does open up the possibility to a discussion or even a project surrounding the community.
I received an ARC and enjoyed the sense of community.
Then, it switches to the little girl's new life in the US with her mother. Since the mother works, the girl feels alone and misses the neighborly life. Her sadness weighs down just enough to bring the emotions across without growing too heavy. It sets the atmosphere for hope and reaching out, which also forms the main message in these pages. The situations come across with familiarity and are very fitting to the age group.
A sense for community and helping others rings loud and clear as the reader accompanies the girl in finding new connections. Giving and recognizing others' needs also rounds off the message and leaves the reader with a sense of hope...and maybe, a few ideas of their own. It does open up the possibility to a discussion or even a project surrounding the community.
I received an ARC and enjoyed the sense of community.
October 28, 2023
The narrator reminisces about times spent at her grandfather’s “sari-sari” store in the Philippines, a neighborhood store that is typically operated from home. It was a type of place where folks stopped by to get what they needed, whether it was small shampoo packets, fresh-baked pan de sal, or friendly conversation. After moving to America, the young girl reflects on examples of care and compassion she witnessed through the sari-sari store. As she makes friends in her new home, she brings the values learned from her beloved "lolo" (grandfather).
Accompanied by the delightful illustrations of Christina Almeda, author Sophia N. Lee pens her first children’s book that deals with themes of nostalgia, diversity, love for family, diversity, and lending a hand. Readers who have experienced the disruption of immigration will find solace in the themes of "Lolo’s Sari-Sari Store." I read the book from the lens of a Filipino immigrant who is familiar with the ethos of the Philippine sari-sari store. More than a business, the sari-sari store also serves as a community hub. Lee provides sufficient background about the neighborhood-based, family-run business. She does an excellent job of describing the Filipino values of service and care for the community.
Accompanied by the delightful illustrations of Christina Almeda, author Sophia N. Lee pens her first children’s book that deals with themes of nostalgia, diversity, love for family, diversity, and lending a hand. Readers who have experienced the disruption of immigration will find solace in the themes of "Lolo’s Sari-Sari Store." I read the book from the lens of a Filipino immigrant who is familiar with the ethos of the Philippine sari-sari store. More than a business, the sari-sari store also serves as a community hub. Lee provides sufficient background about the neighborhood-based, family-run business. She does an excellent job of describing the Filipino values of service and care for the community.
October 22, 2023
Umm... hot pan de sal, turon, and halo-halo.
Pabili po.
A lot Filipino references that are not even explained in the book, because the essence of the story is about appreciating the many ways we can be a community of "a good variety" of people--the kind that helps a mom watch after the little ones as she struggles to carry a bag of groceries, or to make friends with children who seem lonely and alone. She learned all these helpful habits from her time with her Lolo watching the neighborhood sari-sari store--where they not just sell a "good variety: of products, but they also meet all sorts of community members.
It is a great book for those who remember the variety store culture back in the Philippines, and for those who have learned to adjust in a new land, bringing with them the values from home.
Pabili po.
A lot Filipino references that are not even explained in the book, because the essence of the story is about appreciating the many ways we can be a community of "a good variety" of people--the kind that helps a mom watch after the little ones as she struggles to carry a bag of groceries, or to make friends with children who seem lonely and alone. She learned all these helpful habits from her time with her Lolo watching the neighborhood sari-sari store--where they not just sell a "good variety: of products, but they also meet all sorts of community members.
It is a great book for those who remember the variety store culture back in the Philippines, and for those who have learned to adjust in a new land, bringing with them the values from home.
September 26, 2024
This is the second story I've read in a few months about a Sari-Sari story. "Has variety". They are very similar in details as well. This had lots of food in it and it all sounds good. I'm going to find a Philippino restaurant and try some of these things.
A granddaughter works in the Sari-Sari store with her grandpa. It's about see what people want and helping them to get that. It's a community. Some people need to simply talk.
The story switches half-way through. The girl flies to America to be with her mom. She misses the Sari-Sari store and community. She slowly starts to find it.
The artwork is colorful and cozy. I like it. It's digital artwork. Great to see a little bit more of the great wide world out there.
A granddaughter works in the Sari-Sari store with her grandpa. It's about see what people want and helping them to get that. It's a community. Some people need to simply talk.
The story switches half-way through. The girl flies to America to be with her mom. She misses the Sari-Sari store and community. She slowly starts to find it.
The artwork is colorful and cozy. I like it. It's digital artwork. Great to see a little bit more of the great wide world out there.
January 22, 2024
"Sari-sari means a good variety--just look around and you will see. What help can you give your community?"
Summer used to mean working alongside her grandfather in his sari-sari store in the Philippines. She watched all the ways her grandfather gave back to his community and loved and served the people who came to the store. But after a long-distance move to the United States, she feels isolated and alone and misses the magic of her grandfather's love...until she realizes that loving and serving others can happen in many small ways in any community. A truly beautiful book with a wonderful message.
Summer used to mean working alongside her grandfather in his sari-sari store in the Philippines. She watched all the ways her grandfather gave back to his community and loved and served the people who came to the store. But after a long-distance move to the United States, she feels isolated and alone and misses the magic of her grandfather's love...until she realizes that loving and serving others can happen in many small ways in any community. A truly beautiful book with a wonderful message.
January 30, 2024
Lovely story about a child and her grandfather (Lolo). She helped him run is store in the Philippines. His sari-sari store had something for everyone who came by. She loved helping and learning important values from him. He believed in supporting the community and knowing what others needed. Midway through the story, she moves to be with her mom in the United States and feels alone and lonely. She starts to feel more at home when she meets a woman in the grocery store and they share their favorite breads. After this, she looks around and realizes she can be part of the community support where she is too.
Vividly colored illustrations support the text and capture the feelings.
Vividly colored illustrations support the text and capture the feelings.
November 2, 2023
A young girl's story about learning to give back to her community during the time she spends helping her grandfather run his sari-sari store in the Philippines. But when the girl moves to America to live with her mom, she begins to miss her grandfather and everything about life in her old home. It takes time, but soon the girl learns how she can always give back no matter where she lives. And she will learn that sari-sari is not just a thing for the Philippines, but something that must be given from the heart.
January 9, 2024
During the summer, a little girl helps Lolo in his Sari-sari store. Through snacks and connection, this story is about helping a community with their needs. The stories shared are pure sparks of joy. Now far from Philippines, even though the girl struggles with belonging in America, she sees so much of Lolo around her.
This picture book is about making others happy, while also finding your own happiness. A lovely story.
[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher - Simon Kids . All opinions are my own ]
This picture book is about making others happy, while also finding your own happiness. A lovely story.
[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher - Simon Kids . All opinions are my own ]
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October 21, 2023
I am always happy to see the Philippians represented in children’s lit because it isn’t often represented. Lolo’s Sari-sari Store tells the story of a young girl who is struggling to adjust to life in America. She misses her Lolo and her experiences helping him with his store but in time, the young girl finds similar experiences in America too.
Thank you Simon Kids for gifting me a copy to review.
Thank you Simon Kids for gifting me a copy to review.
November 11, 2023
A sweet picture book about a girl who loves working in her grandfather's convenience store in the Philippines. When she moves to America to be with her mother, who has lived and worked there most of her life, she misses her Lolo and his store and everything is different in America. But, slowly, she begins to find things that remind her of home and of her Lolo. This is a sweet and impactful picture book completed with appealing, cartoony illustrations.
November 27, 2023
A cute book about a child who helps to run her Lolo's (grandfather's) store in the Philippines and how her grandfather's kindness and store help connect her to the community. She then moves to the US and feels very disconnected until she begins to remember various lessons her Lolo taught her, so she realizes how she can help make her new home a more connected and warm place.
The book is somewhat based on the author's childhood experiences as she used to help her own Lolo when she was young.
The book is somewhat based on the author's childhood experiences as she used to help her own Lolo when she was young.
December 4, 2023
3+ stars for concept. 2- stars for iffy organization and for not having an author's note or glossary for the Filipino words featured in the story. A child helps their Lolo and the community through their encounters at the neighborhood bodega/sari-sari store. When the child moves to America, they miss their Lolo and the closeness of the neighborhood until she finds some small connections in the big grocery store and on her new street.
November 18, 2023
Fabulous illustrations. Great themes of community and family (little girl learns counting, generosity, and the lay of the neighborhood from her grandfather in his store in the Phillipines). Lots of food vocab. Gentle introduction to the idea that families move to other places and while you might miss the people you left behind, you'll also meet new friends.
September 13, 2023
A young girl reflects on her summers when she lived in the Philippines and worked in the Sari-Sari Store. Now that she has relocated to America, she recalls what LoLo would tell her, and she put those memories and thoughts together to bring a touch of Sari-Sari store to her new neighborhood.
July 31, 2023
5 Stars
Love this picture book so much, too cute!!!
Love this picture book so much, too cute!!!
August 4, 2023
Nice book!
Read
August 14, 2023This book is a bit longer, so good for older ages. It's a bit abrupt when it goes from the Philippines to supposedly the US. But it's a good way to show what a store is like in the Philippines.
August 15, 2023
SO CUTE! The importance of home and community is demonstrated beautifully
Read
August 21, 2023A sweet story and beautiful art together once again! Felt so familiar that I teared up at work.
August 28, 2023
Sweet and fun art!
October 4, 2023
Struggles with moving to a place with a new culture and how to make it her own.
December 8, 2023
I am really on a Filipino representation kick lately. This book is a sweet reminder to those who might have moved far from those we love: we take the memories of them everywhere we go!
January 13, 2024
A little too long.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews