In a heartwarming celebration of culture, identity, and family, Time to Shine: a Filipino American Family Story invites readers young and old to rediscover the beauty of Filipino heritage through the eyes of a spirited little girl named Tala. Written by Chicago-born Filipina author Stephanie Vivit Lehmann and illustrated by Chicago-based Filipina artist Gerri Martinez-Benz of Sinag, this upcoming picture book offers a powerful message of healing, belonging, and pride. The book will launch later this year at the Rizal Center in Chicago, a beloved home away from home for many Filipino Americans and a vibrant community and cultural space in the city’s Lakeview neighborhood.
Read on to discover what inspired Stephanie to write Time to Shine and how her light is helping others find their own.
It’s Time to Shine! by Stephanie Vivit Lehmann
Time to Shine: a Filipino American Family Story is an exciting new picture book for Filipino American families written by Chicago-born Filipino author Stephanie Vivit Lehmann and illustrated by Chicago-based Filipino artist Geraldine Martinez-Benz. Time to Shine will be launched at the Rizal Center shortly after its publication later this year. Get more details in future newsletters and by following Time to Shine’s journey to publication on Instagram @filamstorylady. In the meantime, here are some highlights about the book and the author.
Time to Shine: a Filipino American Story is a picture book about a spirited little girl named Tala whose newfound fascination with sparkling Filipino star lanterns (parols) changes her immigrant family in ways they never could have imagined. At first, Tala is met with resistance from both her mother and grandmother about hanging a Filipino star in their home in America. Working together on creating a homemade star lantern uncovers faded memories that bring healing and a fresh understanding as three generations reclaim and celebrate their lost Filipino identity. In the end, the family proudly displays the Filipino star they created together in their front window, symbolizing that the light Filipinos carry within themselves no longer needs to be hidden in shame or fear, but shared for all to see!
As the daughter of Filipino immigrants and mother of six children–two of whom were adopted from the Philippines–I write stories that connect generations to promote a sense of worth and belonging that every immigrant desires and deserves. It is my public health background combined with my love for children and my Filipino heritage that uniquely propels me to take action to reverse the devastating mental health effects of assimilation and colonial mentality one story at a time. I believe Time to Shine 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.
Given that there are over 4.5 million Filipino Americans living in the US, too few children’s books have been written to address the unique issues faced by Filipino immigrant families. It is my hope that Time to Shine will help all people to better understand their Filipino neighbors while more importantly encouraging Filipino children and their families to take pride in their identity as both Filipinos and Americans. Join me later this year at the Rizal Center to celebrate the launch of this timely and timeless FilAm children’s picture book. It’s time for all of us to shine!
About Stephanie
As the daughter of Filipino immigrants and mother of six children–two of whom were adopted from the Philippines–I write stories that connect generations to promote a sense of worth and belonging that every immigrant desires. Additionally, my focus on the impact of colonization stems from my experiences living on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in rural South Dakota where I saw firsthand how colonialism has impacted both Native Americans and Filipino people in similarly adverse ways.
Want to read more from Stephanie? Check out her website: stephanievivitlehmann.com.
Read about Pamana Children’s Library story and our mission by visiting our page on the Rizal Center website: https://rizalcenter.org/programs/pamana-childrens-library/.
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At Pamana, we believe in the transformative power of storytelling and the joy of books to connect generations and celebrate cultural identity. Our mission is to inspire young minds by sharing the rich traditions, values, and stories of the Philippines, fostering a sense of community. Since our opening in December 2023, our dedicated volunteers have engaged Filipino families in the greater Chicago area through enriching story times and cultural events.
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