Lynnor Bontigao is a Philippine-born author-illustrator. Her debut as an author-illustrator, SARI-SARI SUMMERS, is a nostalgic love letter to the Philippines and grandmothers with a bonus sweet recipe. She also illustrated THE WORLD’S BEST CLASS PLANT(one of Kirkus Reviews’ 2023 Best Picture Books) written by award-winning authors Liz Garton Scanlon & Audrey Vernick. Lynnor loves stories where family relationships, culture, and food are intertwined. Lynnor Bontigao lives in NJ with her family and 1 tiny dog.

Awards
Lynnor is the recipient of the 1st annual 2020 SCBWI Tomie dePaola Professional Development Award, the 2020 Kweli/SCBWI Emerging Voice Award, and the 2021 Kweli Sing the Truth! Mentorship. PRAISE FOR SARI-SARI SUMMERS(Candlewick 2023)

Lively text provides an engrossing picture of the Philippines. . . thoughtful portrayals of Filipino customs along with speech bubbles featuring both Tagalog and English lend an authenticity. Bontigao’s debut brims with heart-warming delight as the loving intergenerational relationship between Nora and her lola making ice candy shows how food brings a community together. —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Delectable. . . This sweet summer tale has Tagalog words interspersed throughout the dialogue, mostly terms of endearment that reflect the cozy relationships with family and the community. . . . Like a sari-sari store, brimming with joy and heart. —Kirkus Reviews

Readers get to share Nora’s eagerness as they are treated to a two-page spread depicting colorful, delectable items stacked neatly on the store shelves. . . . This sweet story of intergenerational love will resonate with many readers. —Booklist

This is a love letter to grandparents who live far away and the special bond that develops when grandchildren get to spend time with them. . . . The illustrations, digitally created, capture the busy street where the store is located as well as the love shared between Nora and her lola. . . . Celebrating the special bond between a child and an older relative, along with the setting and language details of the Philippines, makes this a highly recommended title. —School Library Journal

Familial bonds burnish Bontigao’s affectionate solo debut in this empowering intergenerational tale featuring a child’s creative problem-solving. . . . Digital art mimics colored pencil and pastel textures, and standout images portray a bustling community, the shop’s myriad contents, and the feel of hot days in this story of how thoughtful entrepreneurship can serve and delight. —Publishers Weekly

3 Fun Facts

1. I ❤️ watching KDramas,
2. I am learning to play the ukulele
3. I am terribly afraid of caterpillars.