The Collection
by Melissa J.Leslie
Explore the powerful legacy of Filipino-American heritage through beautifully illustrated children’s books by Melissa J. Leslie.
Each book is available in both digital PDF and physical formats.
Filipino American Children’s Books
Where Heritage Meets Magic, Heroes Are Born
Through luminous watercolors, rich oil paintings, and golden Baybayin symbols, these children’s books transform Filipino American identity from a source of confusion into a wellspring of power. Each story—from a bilingual baby whispering “Kumusta” to a young heroine wielding bayanihan like literal magic—plants seeds of wisdom that grow into courage, discernment, and deep connection.
Storytelling That Bridges Worlds
"Where roots run deeper than soil, magic happens."
In small towns across America where diversity is rare, many young Filipino Americans grow up caught between identities—too Filipino for school, too American for heritage.
These stories bridge that divide, offering:
- Authentic Filipino American voices
- Ancestral wisdom and cultural pride
- Heroes who look like the children reading them
Whether it’s:
- Powerful Filipina heroines reclaiming their place in history,
- Mystical gardens where vegetables and imagination flourish together, or
- Adventures rooted in kapwa (shared identity) and malasakit (compassionate care), these books prove that being different isn’t a flaw—it’s an ancient power waiting to be claimed.
For Families Who Want More Than “Diverse Characters”
These books are not just about inclusion—they’re about transformation:
- From surface-level representation to soul-deep cultural transmission
- From identity confusion to cultural superpower
- From isolation to intergenerational belonging
Perfect for:
- Intentional families seeking stories with heart and heritage
- Classrooms redefining her story and community values
- Readers who believe in the magic of staying rooted
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BRIDGING WORLDS
Filipino American Stories for the Next Generation
Award-worthy children's books that transform cultural identity from burden to superpower—filling critical gaps in diverse literature with authentic Filipino American voices and ancestral wisdom.
The Vision
In a publishing landscape hungry for authentic diverse voices, these books offer something revolutionary—stories where Filipino American heritage becomes the source of real magic, not cultural confusion. From bilingual board books introducing Tagalog and Visayan to middle-grade fantasies where ancient babaylan wisdom saves entire realms from erasure, this collection bridges the gap between surface-level representation and soul-deep cultural transmission.
The Impact
Created by a Filipino American artist
and mother of four who grew up navigating small-town Midwest life without cultural mirrors, these books address the urgent need for stories that don't just include diverse characters—they center the unique wisdom, values, and experiences of Filipino American families. Each beautifully illustrated volume (featuring watercolor, oil paintings, and golden Baybayin script) serves as both entertaining literature and cultural preservation tool.
The Series
The Haraya Garden Chronicles follows Pearl's journey from feeling caught between worlds to becoming a confident protector of cultural memory itself. These books demonstrate how bayanihan (community cooperation), malasakit (compassionate care), and connection to ancestral wisdom create heroes capable of extraordinary things—perfect for fans of Esperanza Rising and Aru Shah.
The Difference
While many multicultural books focus on struggle, these celebrate the power found in heritage. They're entry points to deeper conversations about identity, character, and the courage required to stay rooted in an assimilating world—offering families resources for raising children with unshakable cultural confidence.
A Powerful Piney! (Hardcover)
Format: 8.5" x 11" Hardcover | Pages: 88
Book Overview
In a world where countless stories go untold, A Powerful Pinay! awakens readers to the epic sagas of 26 Filipina heroines who defied empires, shattered expectations, and carried the soul of a nation. Crafted as a deluxe hardcover heirloom, this book is a beacon for mothers and daughters yearning to see their lineage’s courage etched in history—complete with hand-drawn portraits, exclusive quotes, and interactive maps to anchor their legacy.
Why This Book?
Melissa J. Leslie fuses meticulous research with artistic brilliance, spotlighting warriors, thinkers, and healers—some of whom history nearly erased.
Structured A-to-Z, this timeless book is crafted for ages 8+, perfect for classrooms, family storytelling, and heritage celebrations.
“The hero isn’t just the reader—She is the legacy herself.” battling erasure. The book is the “wise guide” equipping families with identity, courage, and a roadmap to their own heroic arcs.Â
Perfect for:
- Intergenerational storytelling
- Filipino-American Heritage Month
- Redefining herstory in classrooms
Includes 26 Filipina Icons: Anita Magsaysay-Ho, Gabriela Silang, Teresa Magbanua, Josefa Llanes Escoda, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, and more.
Guides & Artifacts
Meet your guides:
From Gabriela Silang, “Henerala of Ilocos,” to Teresa Magbanua, the “Visayan Joan of Arc,” each warrior’s timeline and birthplace are mapped like ancestral treasure, helping readers navigate their own paths.
Artifacts include:
- Pre-colonial matriarchal kingdoms that honored women's leadership
- Interactive "Journey Pages" to trace family roots and personal heroism
- Full-color portraits by the author
Trials & Revelations
Follow Trinidad Tecson’s underground hospitals during the Revolution or Josefa Llanes Escoda’s suffrage battles. Readers confront questions like: How do I find courage? What mark will I leave? These are not just historical struggles, but timeless ones.
The Victory
More than a biography collection, this is a living dialogue between ancestors and children—featuring maps, mantras, and space for your own family’s stories.
Digital Collections
Introducing Filipino culture, language and inspiration to little ones.
Kumusta Baby Collection
$55
Valued at $64
Foundation Building Ages 0-8
Perfect for introducing the youngest family members to their Filipino heritage through hand-drawn, age-appropriate words that celebrate cultural identity from the very beginning.
English and Tagalog translations.
5Â Digital Books Included:
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Kumusta Baby! – Baby’s First Tagalog Words
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Kumusta Baby! – Beach Time
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Kumusta Baby! – Potty Time
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Kumusta Baby! – Bedtime
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Kumusta Baby! – Activity Book ages 2–8
Digital Package Includes:
- âś” High-resolution PDF downloads
- âś” Interactive reading guides for parents
- âś” Audio pronunciation guides
- âś” Cultural context explanations
- âś” Family discussion questions
- âś” Printable activity sheets
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Powerful Pinay Collection
$50
Valued at $58
Leadership Building Ages 6–12
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26 Extraordinary Examples of Filipina who changed History Forever from A to Z
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 3 Digital Books Included:
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A Powerful Pinay! – For children ages 4+
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A Powerful Pinay! – For Baby: 26 women from A–Z
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A Powerful Pinay! – Coloring book
Digital Package Includes:
- âś” High-resolution PDF downloads
- âś” Leadership development activities
- âś” Cultural history timelines
- âś” Character strength assessments
- âś” Heritage project ideas
- âś” Confidence-building exercises
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The Haraya Garden Chronicles
$11 – pre-order
Ages 8–12
Middle Grade Contemporary Fiction
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Official Launch October 1st 2025
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When roots run deeper than soil, magic happens.
Pearl feels caught between two worlds—too Filipino for school, too American for her heritage. But when Lola arrives with mysterious seeds, a magical cloth called a patadyong, and stories that bridge oceans, Pearl’s backyard transforms into something extraordinary: the Haraya Garden, where imagination grows alongside vegetables.
1Â Digital Book Included:
- Haraya Garden
Digital Package Includes:
- âś” High-resolution PDF downloads
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to be a beta reader
Upcoming: Haraya Garden
A gentle, immersive chapter book for young readers exploring imagination, community, and Filipino values.
Learn More