It was really interesting to learn about this Filipino culture of sending boxes full of gifts. I think it's really cool that this is done. This book helps children learn about other cultures, which I love. Definitely recommend. The illustrations inside the book are also beautiful. Thank you to Teacher Created Materials, Free Spirit Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC!

I was delighted to see this book available for review. As a Filipina, I recall feeling left out in my childhood as I felt like I was the only one who had family members hauling around a big box, rather than a suitcase, on trips--sometimes regardless of distance. This difference, among others, seemed to further alienate me from my peers. This book puts a magical and wholesome spin on the balikbayan box and communicates it in a way that will be easy for kids to understand.

It is important to highlight unique aspects of any culture, even if it is as seemingly mundane as what one uses to pack to go on a trip. I also think this book does a good job of highlighting the concept of giving, especially as a love language, which from my personal experience, seems to be a common trend among Filipino families.

My one minor criticism is that the layout of the book is a little disorganized on Kindle, but this could be a me problem and the outdated Kindle that I currently have.

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.

This was such an excellent depiction of a Filipino-American tradition. I love seeing sweet traditions like this shared and passed on. I particularly enjoyed the diverse representation of skin tones in the illustrations. As a darker-skinned Filipino, I know how impactful that representation can be.

This is a story of a child waiting for her extended family across the sea to get the box of treasures that she sent. It’s not just what’s in the box but what the box can become that makes the treasures fun. This is a nice look at a Filipino tradition that may not otherwise be shown in books.

Recommend-O-Meter: A heartfelt yes for anyone interested in Filipino culture

I am Filipino, so I love to see stories that speak to my own experience. Growing up, I’d read many lovely children’s books from local authors, and this one feels very similar to them. But what I particularly like is that it is, at its core, an immigrant story. Immigrant relatives are a very common aspect of many Filipino families’ lives, and I loved seeing it brought to life through this whimsical art and straightforward story.

I myself have received many balikbayan boxes from aunts and uncles abroad just like this one. I chuckled especially at the scene where Bea’s family goes shopping at the warehouse store, because those are exactly the kinds of goods my own family would often get.

My only small criticism is the drawing of the Philippine map on page 17. Considering that this is a Filipino-centric story, I found it a bit unsettling that the map, however simplified, was drawn without the thin Palawan island off to the side. I feel like the shape of the country looks wrong without it, and the rather erroneous map is very visible right in the center of the page. Still, it’s not too big of an issue that it detracts from my overall lovely impression of the book.

I think this would be a fine introduction to my culture for children outside the Philippines, especially because the author took care to add an easy-to-read glossary of terms!

Thank you Free Spirit Publishing!

The story of a Filipina-American girl who packs a box full of treasures for her relatives in the Philippines

Absolutely enjoyed this and so, so happy to have a book that showcases a family tradition. Loved it and I can't wait to gift this to my nieces.

Just read Bea’s Balikbayan Box of Treasures and my heart is full! Such a cute story that brought back so many memories of a tradition I grew up with. The balikbayan box, the excitement, the love behind every item—it was all there. And the glossary of Tagalog words? Loved that thoughtful touch! Perfect for kids (and adults) to learn more about Filipino culture in the sweetest way.

Thank you NetGalley & Free Spirit Publishing for early access/ARC of this book!

As a 1st generation Filipina-American and raising my biracial Filipino son, this book truly means a lot. Growing up there wasn’t many children’s book I could relate to as well as books representing my Filipino heritage and culture. This book truly brought back some memories and I love love LOVE the representation & incorporation of Tagalog. I enjoyed the connection the author brought of how a balikbayan means more than sending goods to family. It’s creating a bond to family you rarely see and sharing your love through acts of gift & service. And the artwork is truly beautiful, too!!

Also as a former teacher (even as a parent), I enjoyed the activity ideas you can share with either your students or children on how to use a box. Especially all the creative ways you can use a box. Which in the book, it shared the different imaginative ways Bea and her cousin (pinsan), Maribel used the box. And finally, I enjoyed towards the end in the glossary the author showing the Tagalog words, what they mean, and how to pronounce for folks learning about the Filipino culture.

I’m excited for the release of this book in July and can’t wait to snag my hands of a physical copy of this book. I can’t wait to buy multiple copies for my home, to gift to my mom/my son’s Lola, and even my Ate/my son’s Ninang to read to him.

this was such a cute read. and it reminded me strongly of when my family and i would also pack our balikbayan boxes. everything from the video calls, the warehouse visits, gathering old toys and clothes we don't use, and dedicating specific items to each of our family members. it was definitely a hectic time. it echoed the days we'd call as they opened the box, almost like another family gathering. and i think its the perfect story for little foreign living filipinos and families who live apart. if i ever had a kid, i'd read this to them.

Seeing the title of this book for the first time had me smiling & brought back so many memories from my childhood. Perfect read for AAPI month! It's colorful and a short read.

Growing up, I always saw my parents and grandparents collecting things - hand me down and/or new clothes, foods, candies, etc, to send back to the Philippines. This book does a great job depicting both perspectives of the families sending and receiving the Balikbayan box.
My 7 year old learned about what a Balikbayan box is while learning new Tagalog words, as I have never shared this with him.

We enjoyed reading the book together and then having a discussion about it. The process of how the box gets shipped and the time it takes to arrive to its destination got his mind asking questions and think of possible scenarios while on board the ship. It's also perfect to see that other kids love playing with cardboard boxes and letting their creative side come out. Cardboard boxes are a gem! It is a great book to also discuss about recycling and reflecting to be thankful of what we have and are able to share with love ones across the world.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC.

A heartwarming and vibrant story that beautifully captures the joy and meaning behind a balikbayan box for Filipino families! Bea’s imagination and love shine as she fills the box with goodies for her family in the Philippines, sparking connection, tradition, and play. Full of Filipino culture, positive energy, and wonderful illustrations, this book is an absolute TREASURE!


Thanks Netgalley for the ARC

Bea's Balikbayan Box of Treasures is a wonderful children's picture book about caring, empathy, family bonds, and remaining supportive to family we have left behind on our journeys through the world. This delightful picture book features vivid and imaginative illustrations and unique terms native to the Filipino culture.

Thank you so much to Free Spirit Publishing and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

Bea loves cardboard boxes, she can use them for so many imaginative things. But one thing she loves to do most is create a Balikbayan Box for her family in the Philippines adding lots of treats and important items for the whole family.

This was really sweet, I didn’t know about this tradition for families in the Philippines but I’m glad that reading this I have learnt about it, it’s so very sweet and it shows how close and connected these family are, how no matter how far away, or what it is they want they will to care for each other and send love to each other.

I love that it was creatively made, sharing the story though the little girls perspective, of her waiting excitedly as the months went by for her cousin to receive the box, then leaving her to imagine what her cousins will do with the empty box after. It really was very sweet.

I loved that it shared at the end how to create imaginative ideas with boxes, but also how to make a special box for someone the reader may love. What a beautiful idea to continue the story and message from it.

I was so happy to see this title, I'm Filipino and my young girls are half. It brought me joy and a lot of questions from my girls. Though my family has grown out of sending these boxes to the Philippines, it was nice teaching my girls about this tradition. They learned a lot of new words and got some ideas about how to re-purpose big boxes into play structures.

#BeasBalikbayanBoxofTreasures #NetGalley

This definitely tugs one’s heartstrings! The book is very sweet and authentic to the Asian (immigrant) sentiments and core values. The illustrations are beautiful and I love that the book used Filipino words and provided English translations. I’m definitely getting a copy once it is published!

I got an eARC from NetGalley. Many thanks to NetGalley, Christine Ishmael and Free Spirit Publishing.

I think this book is pretty amazing, not only to showcase different cultures but also to help maybe kids understand why some of their items may be given to other family members. I know it is pretty common in Latin cultures as well to send these big packages or even suitcases to family abroad that would be filled with hand me downs and old toys, and even though a child may no longer use those items - they may have some resistance in letting go of these things. I think this book can be a great way to help ease that transition for children in this areas. The book does a great job highlighting the benefits and the empathy it takes to share these items, while also not being overly blunt about it. The illustrations are vivid and eye capturing and can definitely hold a child's attention. Additionally, I do enjoy the questions and box instructions at the end.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC.

What a wonderfully relatable book! Items in the mail! Letters of love from family! The structure of the book takes the reader on the journey right along with the items in the box. Beautiful color schemes in the illustrations. Great story line. Addition of the Author's Note is a nice touch, as is the glossary and the ideas for the box. Creative and inspiring!

A vibrant, colorful tribute to Filipino culture and the love packed into every balikbayan box, this story brims with heart and heritage. The artwork sparkles with textures and detail, making each object feel like a piece of a bigger story.

Love how this story promotes creativity! I’m always looking for children’s books that have representation from different cultures, and this was a great one to add to that list.