Hi there!

I’m Mona Liza Santos.

Before anything else, I’m a mother.

Like many parents, most of what I do begins with one simple question:

What kind of world will our children grow up in?

I started writing during a time when the world felt uncertain and heavy. Like many parents, I watched my child trying to make sense of things he didn’t yet have the words for. So I began writing stories—first just for him. Stories about kindness, courage, feelings, and the reminder that who you are is already enough.

Those small stories slowly grew into something much bigger.

Today, I’ve written dozens of children’s books, including Mama, I Love You, a story that began as something deeply personal between a mother and her child.

But writing was never really about becoming an author. It was about leaving something behind that might help a child somewhere feel understood.

The truth is, 50 or even 100 years from now, I won’t be here. Most of us won’t. But our children will be. And their children will be too. They will grow up in a world none of us can fully imagine—filled with new technologies, new challenges, and endless possibilities.

My hope is that no matter how much the world changes, kindness, empathy, and the courage to embrace who we are remain constant.

That’s what I hope my books carry forward.

I believe stories can plant small seeds in young hearts—reminders that they matter, that their feelings matter, and that compassion will always be stronger than fear or division.

Those same values inspired me to create two annual national observances that were officially recognized by the City of National City, California, through a proclamation by Mayor Ron Morrison.

National Intentional Kindness Day, observed annually on August 24, encourages people to be intentional with kindness in their everyday lives and reminds us that even the smallest acts of compassion can create meaningful change.

Heritage & Heart Day, observed annually on October 15, encourages people to honor their heritage, celebrate their family stories, and stay connected to the traditions and values that shape who they are.

Through these observances, I hope to inspire people of all ages to lead with kindness, take pride in who they are, and strengthen the connections that unite us.

I am also honored that both observances have been included on the Brownielocks Holidays and Observances Calendar.

Learn More:

National Intentional Kindness Day
https://www.monalizasantos.com/national-intentional-kindness-day

Heritage & Heart Day
https://www.monalizasantos.com/heritage-and-heart-day

Brownielocks Holidays and Observances Calendar
https://www.brownielocks.com/b3bcalendar.html

Here is the Youtube video to National Intentional Kindness Day -Learn more.

Here is the Youtube video to Heritage and Heart Day - Learn more.

My life has been shaped by many experiences: being raised by my grandparents, traveling the world, and learning from people of different cultures and backgrounds. Those experiences taught me that while our lives may look different on the surface, our humanity is deeply connected.

Nature still grounds me. Traveling still reminds me how beautiful the world is. And my son continues to remind me why this work matters in the first place.

At the end of the day, this was never really about me.

It’s about the children who will inherit this world after us.

If the stories I leave behind help even a few of them grow up with a little more kindness, courage, and heart, then I know the work meant something.

And if there’s one thing I hope you remember after visiting this page, it’s this:

Don’t let the opinions of others discourage you from living the life that feels true to you.

Do what brings you joy.

Follow what feels meaningful.

Embrace who you are, fully and unapologetically.

Because in the end, a life lived with heart will always matter more than a life lived trying to please everyone else.

Thank you for being here.

I would also like to honor my loving grandparents, Lola Kaye and Lolo Sario, who are now in heaven.

They played a tremendous role in shaping the person I am today. Their love, guidance, strength, and kindness continue to influence my life, my work, and every story I share.

I love them deeply and always will.

Rest in peace, my loving grandma and grandpa.

The links to their tribute pages are below.

Nazario C. Santos (1925 - 2012) - ForeverMissed.com Online Memorials

Caya Deito Santos (1925 - 2006) - ForeverMissed.com Online Memorials