The Maribel Initiative: Restoring Wonder, One Memory at a Time
Helping children and families connect with history, honor memories, and explore cemeteries with curiosity, courage, and compassion—guided by Maribel, the Keeper of Memory.
The Maribel Initiative: Restoring Wonder, One Memory at a Time
Helping children and families connect with history, honor memories, and explore cemeteries with curiosity, courage, and compassion—guided by Maribel, the Keeper of Memory.
The Maribel Initiative: Restoring Wonder, One Memory at a Time
The Maribel Initiative is a heartfelt global educational outreach program led by MonuMint, designed to help children and families feel more connected, comfortable, and inspired during cemetery visits. At the center of the initiative is Maribel, a vibrant, red-haired superheroine who represents remembrance, courage, and compassion.
Through interactive storytelling, engaging comic books, and cemetery-based events, Maribel guides young minds in understanding loss, honoring history, and celebrating the lives of those who came before us.
Cemeteries can feel overwhelming or even scary to children. The Maribel Initiative transforms that experience into one of exploration, meaning, and connection. Her motto — “We Remember Because We Love” — empowers families to talk openly about grief and memory in an age-appropriate and uplifting way.
Implemented in partnership with local cemeteries, libraries, schools, and historical societies, the initiative uses storytelling, crafts, QR-coded headstones, and cameo portraits to create lasting, meaningful interactions. Events often feature costumed appearances by Maribel herself, bringing joy and reassurance to the experience.
Maribel isn’t just a superhero — she’s a guardian of memories, and her mission is just beginning.
“Maribel, the Keeper of Memory”
Long ago, in a quiet village blanketed in mist and moss, Maribel was born with the rare gift of Sight Beyond Time. From a young age, she could sense the stories woven into stones—echoes of lives once lived, love once shared, and legacies nearly forgotten.
Donning her green MonuMint uniform, symbolizing life and renewal, and a flowing rose-pink cape for compassion, she took on the mission of restoring monuments and reigniting remembrance. The “M” on her chest stands not just for MonuMint—but for Memory, Meaning, and Mending the past.
Her superpowers are subtle but mighty: the ability to cleanse stone with a single touch, summon stories with her scanning device, and plant blooms where neglect once reigned. Children adore her gentle strength; she teaches them that honoring history is a form of everyday heroism.
Maribel travels from site to site, helping families rediscover connections, teaching communities to preserve what matters, and ensuring no story is erased by time. In cemeteries across the nation, she is known simply as: Maribel, the Keeper of Memory.
Maribel Comic Books
MonuMint will introduce the first 6 comic books, due out in 2026, featuring Maribel and the Memory Keepers: Mallory, Avery, Mason, Paisley, and Charlotte. Each story mixes history, mystery, graveyard adventures, and a little magic - it’s like Nancy Drew meets Scooby-Doo.
The Forgotten Soldier: Maribel leads the Memory Keepers on a quest to protect a forgotten graveyard and awaken memories hidden beneath the mossy silence.
Maribel and the Whispering Willow: The kids discover a forbidden friendship and learn courage through ghost-whispering from the past.
Maribel and the Bell Tower Secret: Hidden injustices are revealed during a school trip; the team works together to save a lost voice.
Maribel and the Midnight Marchers: Ghostly Soldiers teaches history and honors the untold stories of war.
Maribel and the Broken Statue: Dreamlike Visions Guide The Memory Keepers to Healing from Imagination, Grief, and Loss.
Maribel and the Garden of Echoes: The Secret Cemetery Garden Unveils World War II Love Letters and the Power of Messages Passed Down Through Generations.
Pricing
| Issue | Price |
|---|---|
| Issue #1 | $5.00 |
| Issue #2 | $5.00 |
| Issue #3 | $5.00 |
| 2-50 copies | $4.75 |
| 51-100 copies | $4.50 |
| 101+ copies | $4.00 |
Maribel: The Cemetery Guardian — School Program Overview
A Superhero for Learning, Empathy & Community
Maribel isn’t just a comic book hero—she’s a bridge between history, science, storytelling, emotional learning, and community engagement. Her school program helps students explore big ideas through an age-appropriate, exciting, and meaningful lens.
BENEFITS OF THE MARIBEL SCHOOL PROGRAM
1. Inspires Curiosity Through Storytelling
Maribel turns cemeteries from “scary” to mystical and meaningful, helping kids understand:
how we honor history
why communities preserve memory
how real places hold real stories
Students become explorers, detectives, and caretakers—just like Maribel and her friends.
2. Supports Social–Emotional Learning (SEL)
Maribel gently teaches themes like:
empathy
remembrance
gratitude
community responsibility
Kids feel empowered, not afraid—because Maribel turns a sensitive topic into kindness in action.
3. Builds Confidence in Reading & Creative Writing
The multi-issue Adventures of Maribel comic series gives schools:
high-interest reading material
age-appropriate mystery + fantasy
strong female lead + diverse group of kids
opportunities for students to write their own “Guardian Stories”
Comics also break reading barriers for reluctant readers.
4. Integrates Light Science & Hands-On Learning
As requested previously, Maribel’s stories weave in simple, safe science such as:
glowing powders
pH color-change reactions
environmental science (soil, moss, weathering)
chemistry-based clues used in each mystery
Teachers get activities that are visually exciting but still classroom-safe.
5. Connects to History & Local Heritage
Students learn:
why cemeteries exist
how headstones were made through the centuries
American history through veterans, artisans, and local families
cultural traditions surrounding remembrance
This is perfect for Social Studies, Humanities, and local history units.
6. Encourages Community Service
Students can participate in the optional Adopt-A-Stone program:
They choose a neglected historic stone
Learn its story
Research the era the person lived in
Participate in gentle, approved cleaning (optional; supervised)
Create a remembrance card or digital QR tribute
This builds empathy and teaches the value of caring for shared spaces.
7. Can Align Easily with Curriculum Standards
Maribel integrates naturally into:
ELA (reading comprehension, character analysis, dialogue writing)
Science (basic chemistry, environmental science)
Art (comic creation, character design, storytelling)
Social Studies (local history, community roles)
SEL (empathy, belonging, responsibility)
Schools love programs that fit into multiple subjects at once.
PROGRAM MODULES FOR SCHOOLS
MODULES 1:
Meet Maribel (Assembly Program)
A 30–45 minute assembly featuring:
The story of Maribel
Themes of courage, kindness, and community
How kids can be “Guardians” too
Q&A
Poster giveaway
Great for grades 2–6.
MODULES 2:
Classroom Visit & Mini-Workshop
Includes:
Short comic read-aloud
Science demo (simple color-change, glow powder, etc.)
Students solve a Maribel-style clue
10–15 min drawing/writing activity
MODULES 3:
The Guardian Science Lab
Hands-on activities such as:
safe pH-testing color experiment
mystery reveal with glowing powder
“weathering test” with pieces of stone
Connects to chemistry & environmental science.
MODULES 4:
Adopt-A-Stone Student Service Project
A multi-day optional project:
Choose a historic stone
Research the person (guided worksheets)
Learn safe cleaning basics (or just observe)
Create a legacy story card
Present findings to the class
MODULES 5:
Create Your Own Comic Page
Students learn fundamentals of comic art:
panels
dialogue
character emotions
pacing
MODULES 6:
The Mystery of the Month Program
A recurring offering where classrooms get:
a new Maribel mini-mystery
clues
a science or history “reveal”
class discussion prompts
Teachers can integrate it into weekly reading time.
WHY SCHOOLS WANT THIS PROGRAM
It’s unique, not another anti-bullying or recycling assembly.
It mixes storytelling, science, history, and empathy—a rare combination.
It is age-appropriate, uplifting, and superhero-themed.
It helps teachers hit multiple academic frameworks at once.
Kids love Maribel and her five friends—they relate instantly.