Stories met us long before we understood the world. They lingered in childhood bedrooms, in the rhythm of a familiar voice at bedtime, in pages that taught us how to feel before they ever taught us how to think. Stories helped us name emotions we did not yet have language for. They introduced us to empathy, courage, belonging, and love in the quietest ways. Long after the exact words faded, the feelings remained. Those stories traveled with us as we grew, shaping our inner compass, influencing how we saw ourselves, how we treated others, and who we became when no one was watching.
It was within this sacred space between childhood and becoming that Mona Liza Santos’ work found its home. An award-winning children’s author and the founder of World Love Press, Mona wrote with the understanding that stories were not just read, they were carried. Her storytelling, inspired by motherhood, travel, culture, and lived experience, was rooted in emotional awareness, self-worth, and belonging.
We had the privilege of discussing this deeply personal journey with Mona, exploring how storytelling became her language of love, leadership, and legacy, and how her work continued to shape hearts long before minds learned to analyze the world.
Below are the highlights from the interview.
Before we dive in, can you share your origin story and childhood?
I grew up in a multigenerational household and was raised largely by my grandparents. They didn’t talk about success or ambition the way we often do today. What they lived instead was kindness, humility, consistency, and doing the right thing even when no one was watching.
Their lives were simple but steady. They believed in showing up for people, in working hard without complaining, and in treating others with respect regardless of circumstance. As a child, I absorbed those values without realizing how deeply they would shape me.
Looking back now, that upbringing became the foundation of everything I create. It taught me that character matters more than recognition, and that how you make people feel stays with them far longer than what you achieve.
What inspired you to pursue your creative career, and how did it begin?
It truly began during the pandemic.
Those were heavy, uncertain days. The world felt overwhelming, and as a mother, I was doing everything I could to help my child stay calm, safe, and emotionally steady while navigating something none of us had experienced before. I could see how much children absorb emotionally, even when they don’t yet have the language to explain what they’re feeling.
I started writing as a way to create comfort. Not as a business decision, and not with any long-term plan in mind, but as something grounding for my child. A place where emotions were allowed, where love felt constant, and where kindness wasn’t rushed or overlooked.
What started as a personal response slowly became something much bigger. Writing stopped being just something I did and became something I felt called to do.
You often say your books are love letters to children. What shaped that message?
I am an empath by nature and a deeply emotional person. I feel things fully, and I’ve always been sensitive to how words, tone, and presence affect others.
Growing up, I wanted children to feel special, no matter who they are or where they come from. Every part of them matters. Their differences are not flaws to be corrected, but strengths to be honored. That belief has stayed with me throughout my life.
When I write, I imagine the child who needs reassurance without being told they need it. I want them to feel valued, safe, and accepted exactly as they are. That intention lives in every story I create.
How did becoming a mother transform the way you see the world and the way you write?
Motherhood changed me completely.
It made me want to do better, not just for my own child, but for children everywhere. It taught me resilience in moments when I felt unsure, patience when things felt overwhelming, and creativity in finding ways for a child to feel important, valued, and loved.
Being a mother gave my work deeper meaning. It reminded me that stories can stay with children long after a book is closed, shaping how they see themselves and the world around them.
What does it mean to you to be recognized as The Most Iconic Female Personality to Watch in 2026?
Honestly, I’m still in shock and awe.
I feel incredibly grateful that my work and stories have resonated with so many people. Sales were never my goal. My true goal has always been to spread kindness, emotional resilience, and the belief that children are chosen in their own unique way.
To be recognized for that feels humbling and deeply meaningful. It tells me that quiet, heart-led work can still make a lasting impact.
Why are self-love and kindness especially important lessons for children today?
We live in a chaotic world. A world driven by social media, comparison, and constant pressure to perform or show off. Children are exposed to so much at such a young age.
I want children to love themselves, no matter what the world presents to them. To know they matter without needing validation. These values need to be embedded early, not just now, but for generations to come.
Self-love and kindness belong in schools, therapy spaces, homes, and everyday conversations. Every child has a purpose, and they deserve to grow up believing that.
You write across many genres. How do you choose which story to tell?
My mind is always creating. Ideas come to me constantly.
I love writing across genres because children connect in different ways. Some respond to rhythm and rhyme, others to gentle storytelling, others to imagination or even spooky adventures. Writing across genres allows me to meet children where they are.
Each story finds its moment, and I trust that timing.
Do you feel a responsibility as a children’s author shaping young minds?
Yes, but in the humblest way.
My responsibility is simply to offer stories that touch hearts gently while still making an impact that lingers after the book is read. I never want to overwhelm children or dictate lessons. I want to invite them into a feeling.
How do you keep your stories authentic without sounding preachy?
Even though I can be preachy with my own child at times, I try to keep my stories natural and playful.
I imagine myself in their shoes. I write with curiosity and joy. There is no wrong way to create. Your style, your personality, and your world all matter.
How has traveling to over 70 countries influenced your storytelling?
Travel showed me that no matter how far apart we are culturally, we all need the same things. Love. Acceptance. Kindness. Respect.
That understanding is at the heart of why I write the stories I do.
Did travel inspire specific books?
Absolutely. Books like Michael Travels Around the World and The Many Places We Go To were directly inspired by my experiences. But really, every book I write carries themes of self-love, emotional awareness, and resilience shaped by what I’ve seen around the world.
How do you make stories resonate universally?
I focus on what connects us. No matter where we’re from, kindness and acceptance bring us together.
How does legacy guide your choices?
Legacy is not about fame, titles, or wealth. It’s about how you made people feel and the impact you leave behind.
I hope my books continue spreading kindness long after I’m gone, living quietly in homes, classrooms, and hearts.
What conversations do you hope families have after reading your books?
I hope they hold moments closer. That they speak gently. That they love fully and respect one another and themselves.
How do you balance vulnerability with courage?
I don’t mind sharing my journey. I’m grateful that people resonate with it. Inspiring others brings me joy, and I feel honored to be part of those conversations.
What brings you back to writing during hard moments?
Writing is therapeutic for me. My son is my greatest inspiration, along with children everywhere who feel alone. I want them to know they are not alone.
What does being iconic mean to you beyond recognition?
It means making a difference in someone’s life. Knowing that what I lived and created mattered to someone else.
How do you hope your books impact the future?
I hope they bring comfort, joy, and confidence. Not just for children, but for families sharing meaningful moments together.
What dreams are you still longing to bring into the world?
There are so many. I plan to keep writing as long as I am mentally and physically able. I also hope to create more empowering stories for women in the future.
What do you hope young girls see in your journey?
That one idea can grow into many. Never stop doing what you love. Your passion matters. Keep going, even when it’s hard.
Finally, what message would you leave readers with?
There is a reason you were born into this world. No matter your situation, your life matters.
You are one in a million, and that alone is enough.
Additional Details
Beyond writing, Mona Liza Santos continues to expand storytelling into community spaces through creative initiatives that promote kindness, emotional literacy, and belonging. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to helping children feel valued and understood, and to creating stories that leave a gentle but lasting imprint on the world.
