Mona Liza Santos, Children's Author and Founder of World Love Press, on Building a Kinder World

Honestly, I was surprised and incredibly grateful when I first found out. Much of my work began from a deeply personal place during the pandemic while trying to comfort my son during a time that felt emotionally heavy for so many families. I never started writing in pursuit of awards or recognition, so moments like this still feel incredibly humbling.

What makes this award especially meaningful is knowing that messages of kindness, empathy, emotional well-being, and helping children feel safe and understood are resonating with others. Sometimes the world can feel very disconnected, so having work centered on compassion and emotional literacy recognized means so much to me.

Professionally, it encourages me to continue growing the mission behind World Love Press and the work I do through my books and initiatives. More than anything, it reminds me that even the smallest ideas, when created from the heart, can reach people in ways you never imagined.

What inspired me most to submit was the heart behind the work itself. Everything I create through my books, initiatives, and publishing work comes from a genuine desire to help children and families feel more connected, understood, and emotionally supported. I felt the mission behind my work aligned closely with the values of leadership, impact, and purpose.

I also believe what made my submission stand out was that it was never driven by trends or business alone. Instead, it was rooted in real human experiences, emotional literacy, kindness, empathy, and the belief that storytelling can create meaningful change. Much of my work grew from personal experiences, motherhood, the emotional struggles people quietly carry, and a desire to help children feel safe being themselves.

Creating more than 40 children's books, founding National Intentional Kindness Day, and building World Love Press all stemmed from that same purpose. At the end of the day, I believe people connect most deeply with work that feels genuine, honest, and created with heartfelt intention.

I would honestly say the biggest turning point came when I realized the stories I was writing were helping more than just my own child.

Everything began during the pandemic as I tried to comfort my son through a time that felt uncertain and emotionally overwhelming for so many families. At first, the stories were deeply personal—simple reminders about kindness, courage, emotions, and finding comfort during difficult moments.

Over time, however, I began receiving messages from parents, educators, and readers sharing how a particular book had helped their child open up emotionally, build confidence, or feel less alone in what they were experiencing. That was the moment everything changed for me.

I realized this had become something much bigger than writing books. It had grown into a mission centered on emotional literacy, empathy, kindness, belonging, and helping children feel seen and understood. That journey eventually led to the creation of World Love Press, National Intentional Kindness Day, and Heritage and Heart Day, while continuing to inspire work that fosters meaningful human connection and helps people feel accepted for who they are.

Absolutely. Like many people building something from the heart, I experienced moments of uncertainty, self-doubt, emotional exhaustion, and constant learning along the way. I began writing during the pandemic while balancing motherhood, family responsibilities, and the emotional weight so many people were carrying at the time. There were moments when everything felt overwhelming, especially while trying to build something meaningful amid the demands of everyday life.

Another challenge was continuing to show up while managing chronic fatigue and living with fibromyalgia. There were days when my energy was extremely limited, making it difficult to balance my health, motherhood, writing, and everything happening behind the scenes. I do not think people always see the quiet battles someone may be carrying while still pursuing a greater purpose.

Another challenge was building visibility independently while creating work centered on emotional literacy, kindness, empathy, and emotional well-being—topics that are sometimes underestimated or overlooked. What kept me going was remembering why I started in the first place. Every message from a parent, educator, or child who connected with my books reminded me that the work mattered. I learned that growth does not always happen loudly or quickly. Sometimes it unfolds quietly through consistency, purpose, and the willingness to keep going, even when no one sees the work happening behind the scenes.

For me, this recognition feels less like an ending and more like an encouragement to continue growing the mission behind my work. I hope to use this opportunity to raise greater awareness of emotional literacy, kindness, empathy, and the importance of creating emotionally safe spaces for children and families.

Through World Love Press, my books, and initiatives such as National Intentional Kindness Day and Heritage and Heart Day, I want to continue fostering conversations about emotional well-being, belonging, self-acceptance, and human connection in schools, homes, workplaces, and communities.

I also hope this recognition inspires others who have ideas, stories, or dreams within them but do not yet know where to begin. Much of what I created started with simple thoughts and stories written in my notes during the pandemic while trying to comfort my son. I think people sometimes believe they need to have everything perfectly figured out before they begin, but many meaningful things start small.

Sometimes all it takes is writing down a single idea, believing in it little by little, and allowing yourself to dream bigger from there. More than anything, I hope this recognition helps these messages reach even more people who may need them.

Awards and recognition like this are a reminder that people truly value the work and are being impacted by it in ways you may not always see. Knowing that something you created inspired someone, brought them comfort, or helped them feel understood is incredibly meaningful and motivating. I also believe opportunities like this encourage people who are just beginning their own journey. They remind us that small ideas can grow into something much greater over time.

For me, much of what I created began as simple stories written in my notes during the pandemic while trying to comfort my son. I never imagined those small moments would grow into books, initiatives, and opportunities like this. More than anything, that is what motivates me to keep going. Knowing the work is reaching people and helping someone feel less alone means everything to me.

Absolutely. While much of the writing came from personal moments and experiences, I do not believe meaningful work is ever created entirely alone. I am deeply grateful for the support, encouragement, and belief of the people around me who inspired me to keep going, especially during moments that felt emotionally, physically, or creatively challenging.

I especially want to acknowledge my son, because he is the reason this journey began. Many of the stories were inspired by my desire to comfort, encourage, and emotionally support him during the pandemic. In many ways, he gave my work its heart and purpose.

I am also thankful for the readers, parents, educators, and families who connected with my books and shared their stories with me over the years. Their messages reminded me that the work mattered and encouraged me to continue building World Love Press while growing initiatives such as National Intentional Kindness Day and Heritage and Heart Day. Their support means more than they will probably ever know. So, thank you.

I believe more people are beginning to recognize just how important emotional well-being is, especially for children. Families and educators are looking for books and resources that do more than entertain. They want stories that help children understand their emotions, build confidence, practice kindness, and feel safe being themselves.

I also see a growing awareness of the importance of representation, belonging, and emotional connection. Children want to see themselves reflected in the stories they read, while parents are seeking content that feels meaningful and uplifting for their families.

Through World Love Press, I hope to continue creating books, educational resources, kindness toolkits, and initiatives that promote emotional literacy, empathy, and human connection in meaningful and practical ways. Projects such as National Intentional Kindness Day and Heritage and Heart Day are an important part of that broader mission. More than anything, I believe people are longing for greater kindness, honesty, and genuine connection, and I believe the future will continue moving toward work that helps people feel more understood, accepted, and less alone.

I would tell my younger self not to wait for the "perfect" time to begin, because honestly, perfect timing rarely exists. Life moves quickly, and sometimes the moments that change your life begin during the most unexpected seasons.

Many meaningful things start small. Sometimes it is simply a thought written in your notes, a few words in a journal, or an idea you quietly carry in your heart long before you fully believe in it yourself. When I first started writing during the pandemic, I never imagined those small stories would grow into books, initiatives, and opportunities like this. At the time, I was simply trying to comfort my son and create something positive during a difficult season. I would also remind people not to compare their journey with anyone else's. Growth looks different for everyone.

At the heart of it, I would say: Start now. Create the thing. Write the idea down. Take the first small step. Life is short, and sometimes the smallest beginnings become the most meaningful parts of your story.

I would encourage people to be genuine and honest about the heart behind their work. People connect more deeply with authenticity and purpose than with perfection.

Do not underestimate your journey or where you are starting. Many meaningful things begin small. In my case, many of my ideas started as little stories written in my notes during the pandemic while trying to comfort my son. I would also encourage people not to wait for the "perfect" time to put themselves out there. Start now. Share your work, believe in your purpose, and allow yourself to grow along the way.

Above all, let your work reflect something real. People remember heart far more than perfection.

There are many meaningful projects I am excited about right now. Through World Love Press, I plan to continue creating books and resources centered on kindness, emotional literacy, empathy, belonging, and self-acceptance for children and families.

I am also continuing to expand initiatives such as National Intentional Kindness Day on August 24 and Heritage and Heart Day on October 15, along with educational toolkits and resources for schools, workplaces, families, libraries, and communities. Another goal is to continue using platforms like Brainz Magazine and future collaborations to foster more conversations around emotional well-being, kindness, and human connection.

More than anything, I hope to continue creating work that helps people feel more understood, supported, and less alone—especially children growing up in a world that can sometimes feel emotionally overwhelming.

My biggest message would simply be to stay true to yourself and pursue what you genuinely love and feel passionate about. Do not be afraid to dream big just because something seems impossible at the beginning. Many people spend too much time waiting for the "perfect" moment to start, but the truth is, there is rarely a perfect time. Life moves quickly, and sometimes the best things begin during the most unexpected seasons of your life.

I would also encourage people not to let others' opinions stop them from creating something meaningful. You know your heart, your story, and your purpose better than anyone else. If something does not work the first time, it does not mean you have failed. It simply means you are learning, growing, and finding another way forward. Sometimes success comes from refusing to give up on what matters most to you.

Many of my ideas began as little stories written in my notes during the pandemic while trying to comfort my son. I never imagined those small moments would grow into books, initiatives, and opportunities like this. That is why I truly believe small beginnings can lead to meaningful things.