LOLO'S SARI-SARI STORE

A Filipino child honors a beloved relative through acts of community service.

The young narrator used to help Lolo (grandfather) run his sari-sari store in the Philippines during the summer. The child tells readers that sari-sari means a good variety, reflecting the shop’s eye-popping inventory, from household products to freshly baked pan de sal. The endearing cartoons convey the joy of working in the shop as neighbors call out greetings of “Pabili po!” and “Tao po!” and Lolo fills each order with care. The child admires Lolo’s ability to know what each customer requires even if they don’t always say so—Manong Tonyom just needs a listening ear, for instance. Lolo is also a compassionate proprietor, giving free ice candy to a large family that can’t afford to buy enough for everyone. The gently paced narrative then reveals that the child has moved to join Mama in the United States. Almeda’s deft use of colors portrays the child in an empty blue house in contrast to the warm yellow and busy shelves of Lolo’s store. After an exchange of kindness with a stranger at the grocery, the child is reminded of how Lolo made everyone who entered his store feel welcome and is inspired to reach out, helping other members of the community and making the new town feel more like a home. Readers will take to heart Lolo’s lessons about the importance of kindness. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A gentle tale brimming with love and warmth.