The Gobbling Goblins [English, Hardcover]

Mind your manners, hang on to your toys... and watch out for your pineapples!

Gobble up this vibrant, mischievous picture book inspired by traditional Filipino mythology. Meet the famous gobbling goblins—trinket-stealing creatures who usually spend their time hoarding treats, but whose knack for thievery just might save the day!

When young Caden and Cailyn forget to say thank you to Lola Mi for their gifts, the goblins swoop in to teach them a lesson, gobbling up the children’s favorite treasures. Gobble, gobble, gobble! It’s all in a day’s work for these mythical tricksters.

But the chaos escalates when a band of hyper-mischievous elves swipes some curious VIPs (Very Important Pineapples) from the house... fruit that looks suspiciously like Caden and Cailyn. Not saying thank you is one thing, but turning kids into tropical fruit? Talk about impolite! Now, the goblins must pivot from thieves to heroes, launching a wild rescue mission to get the pineapple-kids back. Can their legendary gobbling save the day?

Written by special education teacher and folklore fanatic Maika Llaneza, and brought to life by Ara Villena’s stunning, colorful illustrations, The Gobbling Goblins is a hilarious, culturally rich adventure that blends contemporary childhood lessons with traditional Philippine folklore.

Why We Love It at Hot Tropiks

• Folklore with a Twist: It introduces kids to Filipino mythical creatures (like goblins and elves/duwende) in a completely approachable, lighthearted, and modern way.
• A Lesson in Gratitude: Wrapped inside a chaotic, fun rescue mission is a sweet reminder about the power of saying "thank you" and appreciating family.
• Stunning Visuals: Ara Villena's animation-style artwork leaps off the page, perfectly capturing the warmth of a Filipino household and the vibrant spirit of Southeast Asian storytelling.

About the Creators

• Maika Llaneza (Author): A 1.5-generation Filipina American, Maika is a special education teacher and an avid Philippine folklore monster fanatic. Her work exploring pre-Philippine history and culture has been featured in Sojourners, Inheritance magazine, and the popular Stories With Sapphire podcast.
• Ara Villena (Illustrator): Ara is a freelance illustrator and art director specializing in children's books. She has created visual storytelling content for Save the Children Philippines, the Department of Education, and USAID.