Box of Dreams

Gr 1-2–Near the Mayon volcano and warm tropical sea lives Lola (grandmother) in the Philippines. She is awaiting her balikbayan box, or return to home box, which contains items of love from her family. This beautiful picture book follows a young girl and her mother as they prepare the balikbayan box for her lola. With wonderful and descriptive scenes of growing up in the Philippines, the mother shares the importance of sending these boxes filled with food, toiletries, and special surprises. The little girl appreciates learning the history of sending these boxes, as well as her mother’s life growing up. Readers share in the child’s desire to add something to the box, as well as her imagined journey to her lola’s home and country. The author’s note shares additional history of balikbayan boxes and their place in the culture.