Elena Baldwin is set to launch her first children’s book collection in the Philippines.
Photo: Elena Baldwin
In partnership with 8Letters Books, Mango & Marmalade Stories captures the heart and grit of a Filipino mom who wants to immortalize the stories she wrote for her daughters.
In a poignant statement, Elena shared that the children’s stories she wrote are “deeply personal,” as they began with her own family. Growing up miles away from her family, with no one to confide in as she juggled work, parenting, and everyday life, she realized how bedtime stories could bring warmth and a sense of “escape” not only to her daughters but to others as well.
“As I read to my daughters, I realised something was missing. I wanted them to see families like ours. I wanted them to recognise the warmth of Filipino family life, the traditions I grew up with and the little moments that make a childhood feel like home. When I couldn’t find those stories, I decided to write them,” she said.
Through Mango & Marmalade Stories, the Filipina writer aims to celebrate family, culture, and a sense of belonging through the adventures of British-Filipino twins Sam and Sophie.
“These aren’t stories about superheroes or magical kingdoms. They’re stories about everyday life,” she said. “Because I believe those ordinary moments are often the ones children remember the most.”
She also noted that these children’s stories will serve as a bridge for parents who want to spend more time reading with their children, as well as for kids from mixed-heritage backgrounds who are still in the process of discovering themselves.
At the same time, she emphasized that the upcoming book launch will be more than just bringing a piece of herself to the Philippines.
Mango & Marmalade Stories is set to donate more than 250 books, offer free virtual author sessions, and work with schools, libraries, and community organizations to encourage more families to read together with their children.
“My dream is to build a community where children grow up feeling proud of their culture, curious about the world around them and confident that their own stories matter,” she said.
“Because every great story starts at home. And sometimes, all it takes is one book, one bedtime story and one shared moment to create a memory that lasts a lifetime,” she added.
