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Balikbayan Box Holiday Shipping Season: When to Send for Christmas + Free Family Discussion Guide
It is almost September which is often affectionately referred to as the “Ber” months in the Philippines. Depending on how you send your balikbayan box it can take up to two months for balikbayan boxes to arrive if you ship it by sea. Now is the perfect to begin packing and sending your boxes to ensure delivery in time for the holiday season. When should I send a balikbayan box for Christmas? If you’re sending a Balikbayan box to loved ones and hoping it will arrive in the Philippines before Christmas, late August through September is a great time to start planning. Sea shipments can take several weeks or longer,…
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Creator Interview: Award-winning Author Dr. Maryam Kia’s debut picture book, A Suitcase Full
Welcome to the #GrowYourWriting 2026 Creator Interviews blog series. I’m thrilled to feature talented kidlit creators this year and spotlight their beautiful work and inspiring journeys. Maryam Kia is an award-winning psychologist and author. A Suitcase Full is her debut picture book. When she was young, her family immigrated from Iran to the island of O’ahu. Along the way, she experienced multiple countries, languages, cultures, and schools, inspiring her career as a resilience, wellness, and mindfulness expert. As an author, Maryam hopes to empower young readers to see the wonder and magic in their own suitcases and to appreciate the treasures others carry. Maryam lives in Southern California, where she and her kids are always…
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Creator Interview: Lisa Johnston Hancock stunning Author-Illustrator Debut picture book, Santiago and Great Bear
Welcome to the #GrowYourWriting 2026 Creator Interviews blog series. I’m thrilled to feature talented kidlit creators this year and spotlight their beautiful work and inspiring journeys. I’m so excited to introduce our June featured creator, Lisa Johnston Hancock. Her gorgeous picture book debut as an Author-Illustrator, Santiago and Great Bear, releases this week on June 30, 2026. Lisa Johnston Hancock is a children’s book author, illustrator and educator with more than 15 years of experience teaching both children and adults. Lisa holds a Masters in Fine Art, Painting from The Savannah College of Art and Design and a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Photography from The University of Alabama, grounding her…
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Picture Book Recommendations for AANHPI Heritage Month
Happy AANHPI Heritage Month If you’re looking for meaningful picture book recommendations for AANHPI Heritage Month, this curated list highlights beautiful stories by Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander creators. These diverse picture books for kids celebrate culture, family, identity, and belonging. Whether you’re building a home library, planning a classroom read-aloud, or searching for multicultural children’s books, these titles are a wonderful place to start. Sari-Sari Summers by Lynnor BontigaoFinding Papa by Angela Pham Krans, illustrated by Thi BuiMade for More by Chloe Ito Ward, illustrated by Gael AbaryKailani’s Gift by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, illustrated by Lynnor BontigaoBindu’s Bindis by Supriya Kelkar, illustrated by Parvati PillaiBea’s Balikbayan Box of Treasures by Christine…
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Creator Interview: Jake Lockett sharing his debut picture book, My Life as an Asthmanaut
Welcome to the #GrowYourWriting 2026 Creator Interviews blog series. I’m thrilled to feature talented kidlit creators this year and spotlight their beautiful work and inspiring journeys. I’m so excited to introduce our May featured creator, Jake Lockett. We are celebrating two things today: the debut of his picture My Life as an Asthmanaut and World Asthma Day! Jake Lockett writes books and stories for children, including My Life as an Asthmanaut. His short stories for young readers have appeared in Smarty Pants Kids, Skipping Stones, and Spider. Jake enjoys learning about space, exploring nature, building Lego sets, and watching movies on his home theater projector. He resides in the forested…
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Creator Interview: Jenna Elysa Johnson on highlighting disability joy and breaking through acquisitions red tape.
Welcome to the #GrowYourWriting 2026 Creator Interviews blog series. I’m thrilled to feature talented kidlit creators this year and spotlight their beautiful work and inspiring journeys. I’m so excited to introduce our April featured creator, Jenna Elyse Johnson. I have been following her journey for been years and it is truly inspiring! Read on to find out more her mission to publish titles highlighting disability joy, how she sees every one of her books as a miracle and how she navigated all the red tape during the acquisitions process. Jenna Elyse Johnson (she/her) is the author of EVERY BODY MOVE, I SPARK LIKE LIGHTNING, The MAE AND MALIBU Chapter Book…
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SCBWI SoCal Authors & Illustrators at the LA Festival of Books 2026
The LA Times Festival of Books 2026 is almost here, and SCBWI Southern California is bringing together an incredible lineup of children’s book authors and illustrators for a full weekend of storytelling, book signings, and community. I’m so excited to be attending for the first time with my picture book, Bea’s Balikbayan Box of Treasures. If you’re attending the Los Angeles Festival of Books at USC (April 18–19, 2026), be sure to stop by Booth 826 in the Green Zone, where a rotating group of SCBWI SoCal creators will be signing books and meeting readers throughout the weekend. This is a wonderful opportunity to: Meet Me at Booth 826 — Saturday, April 18 (10 AM–12 PM) I’ll be…
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Bea Book Launch Updates + Swag Pack info!
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The History of the Balikbayan Box: How Filipino Families Send Love Across the Ocean
If you’ve ever seen a large cardboard box packed with snacks, gifts, clothing, and small treasures headed to the Philippines, you’ve likely seen a balikbayan box. But what exactly does balikbayan mean—and how did this beloved tradition begin? What Does “Balikbayan” Mean? The word balikbayan comes from two Filipino words: Together, the word refers to someone returning home to the Philippines. Over time, the term also came to represent the care packages sent by Filipino families living abroad. These large boxes are filled with gifts, everyday necessities, and favorite treats, sent across the ocean to loved ones in the Philippines. But the balikbayan box is more than just a package. It’s a powerful symbol of family, connection,…
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Big News for Bea: Best Book Award 2025 and Features
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Creator Interview: Kimberly Horch on Finding Joy in Children’s Book Writing
Welcome to the #GrowYourWriting 2026 Creator Interviews blog series. I’m thrilled to feature talented kidlit creators this year and spotlight their beautiful work and inspiring journeys. I’m so excited to introduce our March featured creator, Kimberly Horch. Kimberly is is truly an inspiration. I’ve had the honor of sharing a debut group with her and she is not only a talented creator but an amazing cheerleader as well! I’m so thrilled to share her story with you today! Kimberly Horch is an author and a self-proclaimed agent of joy. She runs the kindness-focused instagram @thedaybrighteningcommittee. She started writing for her 5 kids, and finds inspiration in their antics daily. Every…
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Big News for Bea: Best Book Award 2025 and Features
Bea’s Balikbayan Box of Treasures written by me, illustrated by Dream Chen and published by Free Spirit Publishing toppled into the world in August 19, 2025. I am so honored to share that her story has resonated with readers, reviewers, educators and librarians. I’m thrilled to share all the places where Bea has been recognized and featured. Award Announcement I’m humbled and overjoyed to share that Bea’s Balikbayan Box of Treasures is a 2025 Best Book Award Winner, presented by American Book Fest. I’m deeply grateful for the support of educators, librarians, reviewers, and families who have embraced Bea’s story. Official 2025 Best Book Award press release As Featured in… Bea’s Balikbayan…
