Today’s Picture Book Postcard is from Bea of Bea’s Balikbayan Box of Treasures.
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.
Bea’s Balikbayan Box of Treasures
Author: Christine Alemshah
Illustrator: Dream Chen
Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing
Publication Date: August 19, 2025
Fun Resources and Educational Materials:
I wanted to show the great care and love that many Filipino families have for their loved ones, even when separated by great distances. What began as a love letter to anyone who has ever packed or received a balikbayan box evolved into a character-driven picture book featuring spirited, cartwheeling-loving Bea!
– Author Christine Alemshah
About Author Christine Alemshah
Christine Alemshah is a biracial Filipina American children’s author and classically trained vocalist. Christine writes children’s picture books championing innovation, celebrating multiculturalism, and often having a musical vibe. Her debut picture book BEA’S BALIKBAYAN BOX OF TREASURES released last summer with Free Spirit Publishing.
Find out more about this author at christinealemshah.com.
About Illustrator Dream Chen
Dream (Mengqian) Chen is an artist with a background in both illustration and animation. She received her BFA in animation at Communication University of China and her MFA in visual art at Minneapolis College of Art and Design. She prides herself on creating colorful and imaginative dream worlds using a variety of media and tools.
Find out more about this illustrator at dreamchen.org.
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