Time to Shine - a Filipino American Family Story

Winner of two National Indie Excellence Awards, recipient of multiple international children's book awards, and featuring a Kirkus Reviews "Get It" recommendation.

What if the key to embracing who you are was hidden inside a glowing star?

When Tala, a young Filipino American girl, discovers the traditional parol star lantern, her curiosity sparks a journey that brings three generations together to rediscover their roots, share family traditions, and shine brightly for all to see.

Presented in a beautiful 10" × 10" hardcover with an Educator & Parent Guide, the multi-award-winning Time to Shine is a heartfelt celebration of family traditions, Filipino heritage, and the courage to be yourself.

As Tala proudly declares,

"I like being Filipino and American. I like being different. I like being me!"

When their lantern glows in the window, it becomes more than decoration—it's a beacon of heritage, community, and cultural pride.

Time to Shine offers:

• Gentle ways to talk about identity and belonging
• Inspiration to embrace family traditions
• Meaningful conversations about the immigrant experience
• A celebration of Filipino American culture and multicultural families

Perfect for ages 6–10, Time to Shine is an inspiring addition to family libraries, classrooms, and homeschools celebrating Filipino American History Month, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, and multicultural learning all year long.

Add Time to Shine to your library today and inspire children to celebrate their story, their family, and the light that makes each of us unique.

As the daughter of Filipino immigrants and mother of six children, Stephanie writes stories that connect generations to promote a sense of worth and belonging.

Her public health background, combined with her love for children, uniquely propels her to take action to reverse the devastating mental health effects of assimilation and colonial mentality one story at a time.

Stephanie believes telling these stories can spark much needed discussion in countless struggling families and communities, having the potential to become a source of healing and hope for current and future generations of Filipino families in the diaspora.

Geri Benz is a children's book designer, fine artist, graphic designer, wife and mother. She is a Fines Arts Painting major from the University of the Philippines-Cebu. She has shared her love for the visual arts through several summer art workshops in the Philippines and at the Philippine Consulate in Chicago. A native of Ormoc City, she has also taught street and indigent children through a partnership with the local DSWD and World Vision chapters, rooted in the belief that art should be made accessible to all. For her day job she has worked as a graphic designer in Manila, Cebu, Shenzhen and now a children’s book designer in Chicago. As a visual artist, she has exhibited in the Philippines, Chicago and Evanston. She founded Sinag, an 80 member art collective of Filipino-American Artists in the Chicago area. Thru Sinag she organized the biggest exhibit of Filipino-American artists based in Chicago and Greater Chicago April in 2024.

• National Indie Excellence Award for Picture Book All AgesWinner 2026
• International Impact Book Awards: Children's Inspirational/Motivational Family Life)Winner 2026
• Children's Book International Book Award (Holiday Category)Winner 2026
• Mom's Choice - GOLDWinner 2026