Malaya Finds Her Light
Malaya Finds Her Light
A heartwarming story of identity, courage, and cultural pride
Malaya is a young Filipino girl adjusting to life in a new country, where the food she eats, the way her name sounds, and even her clothes feel out of place. At school, no one brings adobo for lunch or wears a baro’t saya on Culture Day—and Malaya begins to wonder if being different means being wrong.
But one gentle conversation with her Lola changes everything. Inspired by the quiet strength of the moon, Malaya learns that even far from home, her name, her stories, and her heritage are part of a light that deserves to shine.
Perfect for ages 6–10, Malaya Finds Her Light is a beautifully written picture book that gently explores the immigrant experience, self-acceptance, and pride in one’s roots—especially for Filipino children living abroad.
Malaya Finds Her Light is an illustrated children's book suitable for readers ages 6 to 10. Presented in English with Tagalog terms woven throughout, the story gently explores cultural identity, self-acceptance, and the immigrant experience from a young Filipino girl’s perspective. The book features full-color digital illustrations. It is designed for early elementary grade levels and works well as a read-aloud, classroom resource, or bedtime story. The vocabulary, themes, and emotional tone make it especially meaningful for children navigating cultural differences or living far from their roots.