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More About Lynnor Bontigao (She/Her)
Languages: Filipino, English, Ilonggo
Lynnor Bontigao grew up in Manila and is the author-illustrator of her debut picture book SARI-SARI SUMMERS, a nostalgic love letter to the Philippines and grandmothers, and includes a bonus sweet recipe. She is also the illustrator of many other picture books such as Minh Lê’s upcoming book MILES AHEAD (Spring 2026), THE WORLD'S BEST CLASS PLANT (Kirkus Reviews' Best Picture Books of 2023 and 2025 Giverny Award for Best Children’s Science Picture Book) by award-winning authors Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick, AT THE END OF THE DAY by Lisl Detlefsen, KAILANI’S GIFT by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, YOU ARE REVOLUTIONARY by Cindy Wang Brandt, JACK & AGYU by Justine Villanueva, as well as a new chapter book series by Lourdes Heuer, SEASHELL KEY, deemed by Parents Magazine as a 2024 Ultimate Summer Reading book. Lynnor is currently working on a picture book by Jean Reidy & an unannounced upcoming book. Earlier, she worked as a graphic designer in an ad agency then switched gears to become a programmer at a major financial firm in NYC — stressful but suitable places for people who enjoy problem-solving.
In her copious free time(ha!), Lynnor enjoys watching KDramas, learning to play the ukulele, and cooking/baking.
Lynnor loves heartfelt stories paired with humor especially where relationships, culture, and food are intertwined. When she moved to America, everything felt big and unknown. Her goal is for readers to say, “This character looks like me," or "This place looks like my home," or "I eat that food, too.”
Lynnor is represented by Caryn Wiseman at ABLA and is interested in illustrating picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, and book covers.
You can find Lynnor online at:
Lynnor discussing her book SARI-SARI SUMMERS
Lynnor’s strengths include…
Finding visual ways to enhance your story.
Having worked in advertising and also having illustrated her 10th book, Lynnor understands the power of images and how illustrations play an important role in storytelling. That does not mean to draw perfectly or in a realistic way, but rather, creating illustrations on pages/spreads to better convey a particular scene or emotion.
Lynnor can help with ideas on pagination, characters, and adding a story within your story.
Lynnor also loves working on books featuring families, food, kids, and dogs, so books featuring those would be her strong areas.
What Lynnor is looking for…
Lynnor is looking for a mentee who is open to feedback on their author-illustrator book dummy.
It could be a heartwarming story that makes her go "Awww", or one with sparse text (or wordless) and envision the illustrations to carry it, or a story with a quirky and charming character with a sense of humor.
Lynnor is easily swept by a strong first line or a last one that hits home.
A Note from Lynnor:
“It does not matter when you bloom. It is all that growing beneath the surface that makes all the difference.
No matter where you are in this journey, I am glad you are pursuing this. We can work on your manuscript and polish your WIP book dummy. I cannot wait to see your work in bookshelves!”
Lynnor’s Picture Books
Please note that Lynnor creates in other markets. To see her full body of work, please visit her website.
Sari-Sari Summers, Written and Illustrated by Lynnor Bontigao
The World’s Best Class Plant, Written by Audrey Vernick and Liz Garton Scanlon, Illustrated by Lynnor Bontigao
At the End of the Day, Written by Lisl H. Detlefsen, Illustrated by Lynnor Bontigao
Jack & Agyu, Written by Justine Eva Li Villanueva, Illustrated by Lynnor Bontigao
Miles Ahead, Written by Minh Lê, Illustrated by Lynnor Bontigao (Coming Spring 2026)
Kailani’s Gift, Written by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, Illustrated by Lynnor Bontigao
You are Revolutionary, Written by Cindy Wang Brandt, Illustrated by Lynnor Bontigao
If Lynnor created a Visual Wish List, it would be made up of…
*Unless otherwise stated, the below serves as a wish list only. Each mentor is excited about the opportunity to find a manuscript they can’t stop thinking about. Please apply if you think you’d be a good fit.
Stories that Tug at Heartstrings Like:
In Every Life, written by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Marla Frazee
The Remember Balloons, written by Jessie Oliveros, illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte
My Big Dumb Invisible Dragon, written by Angie Lucas, illustrated by Birgitta Sif
Charming/Quirky Characters Like In:
Oh, Olive! by Lian Cho
Pepper and Me by Beatrice Alemagna
Toto by Hyewon Yum
Nostalgia Like In:
The World Belonged To Us, written by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Leo Espinosa
Holding On, written by Sophia N. Lee, illustrated by Isabel Roxas
New by Niña Mata
Sparse Text (Where Art tells the story), Like In:
Keeping the City Going by Brian Floca
Hot Dog by Doug Salati
Look, written by Gabi Snyder, illustrated by Samantha Cotterill
Lynnor is a good fit for:
Author-Illustrators with a dummy (work-in-progress is okay)
Heartfelt stories paired with humor
Stories featuring culture, families, food, kids, and/or dogs
Charming/Quirky Characters
Nostalgia
Fiction
AANHPI Voices
Lynnor is not a good fit for:
Rhyme
Non-fiction
Who can apply to Lynnor?
All unagented author-illustrators may apply, but AANHPI creators are especially encouraged to apply.
*Lynnor would like to see a work-in-progress book dummy from all applicants.