The Four Pinay Sisters and the Orange Tiger Review
The Four Pinay Sisters and the Orange Tiger, written by Lyn Santos and translated by Derek Galon, offers a unique and beautiful bilingual collection of bedtime stories set in a small village in the Philippines.
What’s truly unique about this collection is that they are the real stories told by Lyn, the oldest sibling of four, to console her younger sisters after they were orphaned four years ago in the wake of a devastating typhoon. Rather than coming from formal writing experience, these ten stories came straight from Lyn’s heart in her attempt to both comfort and raise her sisters well.
Lyn includes her sisters in each of the stories along with Tigoy, a mischievous and lovable talking tiger. Together, they navigate unique Philippine experiences like market days and hidden waterfalls, as well as common childhood experiences like school bullies and friends who don’t keep their promises.
Intended as a read-aloud book, each story is listed twice – once in English and once in Tagalog – making it an incredibly immersive cultural experience as well as educational for those learning English or Tagalog. And to top it all off, proceeds from book sales go directly toward funding the educations of Lyn and her younger sisters, Liyah, Talia, and Cess.
This book was such a heartwarming read! You could feel the love emanating from each story and almost hear Lyn’s voice telling the stories to her sisters.
Rather than an author attempting to teach lessons to readers they’ll never meet, these stories come from a place of genuine love and care. They feel deeply personal and heartfelt, perfect for a bedtime read.
I also really enjoyed how the stories were set in Lyn’s small village in the Philippines.
The descriptions of colorful market stalls, fishing boats on quiet waters, a tight-knit community, and slower pace of life make you feel as if you’re there. They can also help to teach children about other cultures and open up important conversations about diversity.
Maybe my favorite part of all, I adored the values taught throughout the book. The stories encourage readers to help those in need, keep their promises, and find joy in the simple things in life.
In an age where technology and consumerism run rampant, children will notice that the sisters are content and grateful for all they have, even if they don’t have much. It even made me reassess my own needs as an adult and make a more regular practice of gratitude.
Overall, this is a heartfelt collection of bedtime stories that kids and adults alike are sure to enjoy. You can find The Four Pinay Sisters and the Orange Tiger on Amazon.
The Four Pinay Sisters and the Orange Tiger Author Interview
Want to learn more about author Lyn Santos? I did too! She was gracious enough to field a few questions and share what’s next for her!
Deb: The Four Pinay Sisters and the Orange Tiger shares the beautiful stories you created for your sisters. Can you share with us about how you started telling these stories to them?
Lyn: We were sad and scared for long time. My sisters needed assurance of family bond. We all needed it. We needed quiet family moments only for us, like it was before typhoon.
At one evening, when my youngest sister was anxious and unhappy, I simply started to tell a story. A story about us – but not about us. Real, but touching of magic and fun.
It worked great and I decided to tell often a new story about our daily situations that were stressful, to explain them in a meaningful way. And sometimes I just had idea about some magical situation and made it to a story. And it became our ritual for long time.
Deb: My daughter and I thought Tigoy was very sweet and funny! My daughter asks, why did you choose to make Tigoy a tiger?
Lyn: We all were lacking support and feeling of safety. It was hurting us.
We needed someone strong and gentle to help us, support and protect. And in one of first stories I just mentioned this friendly tiger coming to our help- and immediately he became necessary part of all further stories, like a new family member.
Deb: You have another collection of Pinay Sisters stories out in A Jar of Kindness: Book 2! Do you plan to write any more books?
Lyn: I am not a writer. I made notes for myself only to remember.
It was our friend (we call him “Dad”) who selected and edited them as books. There are some more stories but he said not best for books, too personal, or maybe not funny enough.
We all grew up, I am in last year of my high school. We all try to be best learners in school, and we have less time.
So maybe no more books, no more stories. Well, at least now I don’t see it.
But we often talk what Tigoy would say in some situations. He is with us all these years.
Thanks so much for joining us today, Lyn! You can find The Four Pinay Sisters and the Orange Tiger on Amazon. Happy reading!
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