I Am Mona Liza I Am Mona LizaAward-Winning Children's Book Author

Mona Liza Santos

Community & What’s Next

A big part of what I hope to do moving forward is find more ways for my work to reach children who may not always have easy access to books. I would love to donate books to schools, libraries, and communities in places where resources are limited, whether that is in the Philippines, parts of Africa, or anywhere else where children and educators may truly need them.

For me, it is not about trying to do something grand. I just believe that if I have books that can be shared, and there are children somewhere who may benefit from them, then I would like to find a way to help. Even one box of books placed in the right school or library can create opportunities for children to read, learn, imagine, and feel encouraged.

I also hope to continue supporting literacy efforts, community programs, cultural events, and organizations whose values align with the kind of work I care about. There are many ideas I still want to explore, some connected to publishing and education, others to outreach, collaboration, and creative projects.

At the same time, I have learned not to rush everything. My life is already full, and I want to be thoughtful about where I give my time and energy. I want to continue growing my work, but I also want to protect time for my son, my family, close friends, travel, and simply enjoying life.

What’s next for me does not have to mean bigger or busier. I hope it means more meaningful, more intentional, and more useful to the people who may need it most.