Mama, I Love You by Mona Liza Santos
A stunning motivational read, Mama, I Love You by Mona Liza Santos offers inspiration for mother-child activities, gratitude for mom, and a loving tribute. The story begins with a simple reminder to “mama” that she’s loved every day, which is a sweet sentiment that is repeated throughout the book.
A Love Letter Told Through Shared Moments
The story is structured as a message to mom, speaking directly to her with warm endearments that showcase various activities. From singing together to playing in the sand, mother and child enjoy a lifetime of joy, love, and fun. This book serves as a poignant reminder of a mother’s importance and all that she does to support, provide for, brighten, and protect. This makes for an ideal gift for Mother’s Day, birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions.
The structure is intriguing as it talks directly to moms while written for young children to read. Children can enjoy reading this with their mothers or mother figures as they learn what appreciation and gratitude mean. Reading these sweet messages aloud will provide moments for conversations that will matter just as much to parents as it does children. The story is written from a place of love, something that is captured through simple sentences and whimsical illustrations.
Whimsical Illustrations with Emotional Depth
The message at the core of the book is reminiscent of the book “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch, with the idea that the mom will be there as long as she can. The visual switch from the child riding on the mother’s back to the mother riding on the child’s is an emotional heart punch that gives depth to the prose that children will easily comprehend.
The colors and imagery create unique backdrops that give visuals that will further a young reader’s understanding of the words. For example, cloudy skies behind a hugging mother and child make it easy to see how she protects even on the darkest days. This theme of protection continues throughout, with moments that show the two hugging and playing. However, balancing out heartfelt moments is a light dose of humor blended throughout. Subtle comedic sentences can be found, such as the children promising “to behave,” which is a joke that will have both parent and child laughing.
As the book continues, the illustrations follow the narrative with wonder-filled imagery such as singing karaoke, riding a rocket ship, and winning a cooking championship. These images by Anuradha Godagama are magical representations of love with rainbows, butterflies, and lights, effectively creating idyllic pages that feel warm and joyful. This is done through snapshots in the lives of these two characters, each moment showcasing either playfulness or protection.
Mama, I Love You is a sweet message to moms, serving as a reminder to appreciate time together, love moments shared, and enjoy the playful moments as they come.
About Mona Liza Santos:
Mona Liza Santos began her writing journey during the 2020 pandemic, when the world slowed down and her creativity had room to grow. In 2021, she released her debut bestseller, Mama, I Love You — a tender picture book inspired by her son that celebrates the timeless bond between parent and child.
Since then, Mona has written over 40 books, from heartwarming picture books to spooky tales and motivational stories for young readers. She writes about self-love, embracing one’s worth and uniqueness, and reminding every child they are extraordinary just as they are. Her love for spooky stories began with her grandmother, who adored watching them, inspiring Mona to create a few fun, age-appropriate scary stories for kids.
In addition to her books, Mona has created self-love journals, gratitude journals for kids, coloring books, and notebooks—all available on Amazon. A passionate designer and creator, she also loves planning and bringing new ideas to life.
Drawing from her life, her upbringing by loving Filipino grandparents, and her travels to more than 70 countries (and still counting, if time permits in her busy life), Mona fills each story with warmth, empathy, and a sense of wonder—making sure every child feels seen, valued, and understood. She shares her passion for storytelling with her son, Michael Blade, who published his first book at just seven years old. Together, they inspire children everywhere to dream big and believe in themselves.
Mona Liza Santos is the author of over 40 children’s books, including Mama, I Love You, I Am the Chosen One, Surround Yourself, The Filipino in Me, Books Are Life, The Hourglass of Life, The Dream Jar, I Love Me Because I Am Who I Am, If I Just Breathe, You Are One in a Million, Michael Travels Around the World, I Am Brave and Resilient, Let’s Be Happy for Each Other, Luna and the Six Evil Witches, Look Out! Stranger Danger!, Oh My Pugs!, Cats Are Love, Humble Me, Make Peace Not War, Friendship Code, No Choosing Favorites, Yummy Fruits, Yummy Veggies, Shadow, My Very Special Unicorn, Sam’s Magical Christmas, Go to Sleep… I Dare You!, Dark Tales for Kids, Grown Up Too Soon, Hmmm… What to Wear, The Many Places We Go To, No One Like You, I Am Your Karma, The Light in the White House, My Mom Is the Whole Village, and The Secret Book of Us, with stories spanning kindness, self-love, emotional resilience, imagination, and heart; more titles and new releases can be found at www.monalizasantos.com.
When she isn’t writing, Mona loves traveling with Michael, gathering moments and memories to pour into her next story. She also enjoys music, peaceful walks, and the joyful chaos of life at home in San Diego with three dogs and three cats.
Learn more at monalizasantos dot com or find her on Instagram @momosvoyage.
