I wanted to share a new children’s book you will find inside our Christmas Gift Guide 2025: Bea’s Balikbayan Box of Treasures by Christine Alemshah (Author), Dream Chen (Illustrator). I recieved a copy of the book in exchange for this review. Inside this post is my affiliate links. If you click on the links and make a purchase I will make a small percentage from the products you purchase.
Charlie and I sat down this morning to read Bea’s Balikbayan Box of Treasures because we wanted to find out what Balikbayan. My family had never heard of this word, have you? The book is called Bea’s Balikbayan Box of Treasures. I wish you could see the box of goodies the little girl is decorating.
I love how the Author included the States in the first page of the book showing us where they are located. I love how the young girl lets us know what a cardboard box becomes which I used to play with as a child as well. Did you?
She comes up with a bear Cave that would go with a song I learned as a child or a Rocket Ship which we could have used when we were #Homeschooling Charlie and would have went with our studies on Space. Or a playhouse.
The little girl also lets us know the box can become a balikbayan box to fill with gifts for her family in the Philippines. A Country we could have studied when studying States. We lean words we might not have known.
It was fun to see her call her family to see what to put inside the box. Clothes go inside the box and toys to. There is Canned Meat added to the box as well. Tea Bags and Lotions and so much more. Notes and cards are added to the box to bring the family the little girls love.
The box travels across Oceans, Countries and even Continents. The box travels by Sea and can take up to two months to arrive. Finally, the box arrives. Now her family has a box to play with as well. In the back of the book is a glossary that taught us some of the words we read. As well as what a box can be.
About the book:
The story of a Filipina-American girl who packs a box full of treasures for her relatives in the Philippines
For seven-year-old Bea, a box can be a bear cave, a playhouse, or even a rocket ship. In Bea’s Balikbayan Box of Treasures, Bea’s box has an important destiny. She and her family will fill it up with goodies for their relatives in the Philippines.
A balikbayan box is the ultimate international care package and an expression of love for many Filipino families living abroad. Bea and her family spend months gathering and packing surprises. Special food for Tito Rico. Fancy lotion for Tita Alma. For Maribel and the other pinsans, the best treasures of all―bubble wands, chocolates, stuffed animals.
When the package has been shipped, Bea waits patiently for it to arrive overseas―it could take two whole months! Meanwhile, she learns about the balikbayan tradition and how it helps sustain her connection to her far-away family. Finally, Bea’s family gets a video call from Tito Rico, Tita Alma, and Bea’s pinsan, Maribel, and they connect over the excitement of unpacking the box.
Key Features
- Introduces the important Filipino tradition of “balikbayan box” care packages
- Tells the story of a Filipina-American girl who learns to embrace her heritage and family activities
- Encourages connection with family living overseas for families who have immigrated
Alongside Bea, young readers can discover a sense of belonging, practice empathy, and build self-awareness.
Filipina American author Christine Alemshah brings culture and connection to life in Bea’s Balikbayan Box of Treasures.
Meet the Author: Christine Marie Alemshah
Christine Alemshah (she/her) is a biracial Filipina American children’s author and classically trained vocalist. When Christine was a young girl, she loved constructing items to play make-believe with her younger sister. Some of her favorite creations were care packages, paper dolls, flip books, and mini spy kits.
Now Christine writes children’s picture books championing innovation and celebrating multiculturalism, often with musical or percussive vibes. She hopes readers will see themselves in the stories she writes. Christine studied psychology and music, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Whittier College. When not writing, Christine enjoys singing karaoke and reading with her husband and two daughters under cozy blankets.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
