The Hymn of Leaves

Story by Katrina Macapagal
Art by Chad Montero

For as long as Sinta can remember, singing has been forbidden in her town. So she couldn’t believe it when she heard a soft humming coming from the forest.

“Whoever is making that sound will disappear!” her friends warned.

Sinta knew her friends were right, but she also felt like the voice was pulling at the song in her heart.

Language: English with Filipino translation
Type: softcover, full-color
Year Published: 2026

ABOUT THE WRITER

Katrina Macapagal is a Filipina-British writer who lives in Edinburgh, Scotland with her daughter and husband. She likes writing stories for children and adults alike. She believes in the power of storytelling to shape our ways of thinking about and being in the world.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Chad Montero was born and raised in Antipolo City, with roots in Camarines Sur, Bicol. He graduated from the College of Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines. His mother and grandmother were traditional folk healers. As a child, he often listened to his mother’s stories about mystical and magical experiences. These early influences inspired him to create artworks that tell stories of childhood memories, folklore, traditions, culture, and history. Through his art, he hopes to preserve and document these stories for future generations.

BUY ONE, DONATE BOOKS TO JUAN 

Every purchase of this book is matched with book donations to children from disadvantaged communities in the Philippines in support of CANVAS' One Million Books for One Million Filipino Children Campaign.