Box of Dreams
HarperCollins | Written by Faith Kazmi | Edited by Megan Ilnitzki | Designed by Rachel Zegar
A little girl watches as her mama fills up a big box, but this is no ordinary package. It has a special name: the balikbayan box. They pack all sorts of gifts & treats for their family in the Philippines, but the girl has a secret wish to send along Inside.
A wish to fly with the box to meet her cousins, Lola, and their family and see and experience all the places where Mama grew up. A wish she hopes will one day come true.
May 7th, 2024
"A mother and child connect with loved ones by post and shared memory in Kazmi’s cheerfully told debut. Specific details capture the care that goes into the final product, and Almeda’s inventive digital images, which show Mama placed in moments of reminiscence while packing the box, add imaginative flair to this straightforward telling with a connective heart." — Publishers Weekly
'"This beautiful picture book follows a young girl and her mother as they prepare the balikbayan box for her lola... Told through vivid imagery and dialogue, this beautiful picture book amplifies an important cultural touchstone among families and their loved ones in the Philippines. Authentic and empathetic." — School Library Journal
Read more about my process on my blog!