Trick or Treat with Emeline Lee + Treat Inside!

Hi, readers, writers, and hungry ghosties, too! We’re so excited to feature Emeline Lee and her deliciously sweet book, Gwei the Hungry Ghost!

Gwei the ghost is absolutely famished, but unlike the other ghosts in the cemetery, he won’t eat just anything. Luckily, it’s Ghost Festival month—the one time a year when ghosts roam the realm of the living. Gwei flutters around the city, eating steaming bowls of noodles, hot, hot, HOT chestnuts, and crispy fried fish with chili oil. But no matter how much he eats, Gwei just can’t get full. Will he find a way to tame his hunger?

Want to know more about Emeline and her tasty book PLUS want to know what treat she’s handing out? Read on… if you dare! 👻🍜✨

Q Hi, Emeline! Thanks so much for trick-or-treating with SeasonsOfKidLit.com! We’re thrilled to feature you and hear all about you and boo-riffic book, Gwei the Hungry Ghost. What inspired your story, and can you share a little about your path to publication?

A. Thank you for inviting me! Gwei the Hungry Ghost was inspired by the hungry ghosts of Chinese folklore. They are wandering spirits with ravenous appetites who eat and eat but never feel full. During the Hungry Ghost Festival, which is featured in the book, the realm of the living is believed to open up to visitors from the dead. At this time, hungry ghosts can roam around in search of food. Some people advise against certain activities, such as going out after dark or wearing black or red, to avoid attracting the attention of spirits. I was excited to share about this cultural festival and folklore through this story. 

I have SCBWI to thank for connecting me with my editor, Sydnee Monday, at a local NJ meeting. Sydnee provided me with an insightful critique, and I spent a month or so revising the story. My agent formally submitted the revised manuscript to Sydnee, and we received an offer of publication from Kokila (an imprint of Penguin Random House) shortly after!

What an amazing path - thanks for sharing!

Q: What holiday or season does your book fit into, and what does that holiday or season mean to you? How did you weave those themes into your story?

A: This book is perfect for Ghost Month, which falls around late summer and early autumn according to the lunar calendar (just before Halloween!). The Hungry Ghost Festival occurs in the middle of the month and is observed across China and several other cultures across Asia. 

One of the main themes of the holiday is to beware of ghosts! But it’s not all scary. The festival is also a reminder to honor those who came before us and to help wandering spirits who may be lost. The illustrations show several real Hungry Ghost Festival traditions, such as offering food at burial sites, burning incense and fake money, and setting paper lanterns afloat on rivers to guide wandering spirits into the afterlife. The back matter includes more details about the festival and an illustrated ghost guide for readers to learn about other spirits of Chinese mythology. 

Many cultures across the world have unique and fascinating ways to honor one’s ancestors and pay respects to the dead. This story is a kid-friendly introduction to some of these traditions in Chinese culture. 

Q: Basia Tran did a ghoul-tastic job on illustrating this book! What’s your favorite spread from the book? Please share it and tell us why it’s your favorite.

It’s hard to choose just one, but one of my favorite spreads is when Gwei shows Mei Mei all the delicious food he has collected in his pouch. Basia did an incredible job showcasing everything from plump dumplings to tantalizing tanghulu. I’m always hungry after looking at that spread! 

Q: What’s the most rewarding part of being a kidlit creator? What’s the most challenging part?

A: I’ll start with the challenging part first: dealing with issues such as book bans and other restrictions that limit children’s access to diverse books. My hope is that kids can see themselves reflected in the books that they read and also have a chance to learn about different experiences to grow in empathy and find shared connections. 

I love writing for children because they have boundless imagination, enthusiasm, and curiosity! Story times and school visits are always exciting, often filled with wonderfully thought-provoking and creative questions. The kids keep me on my toes! 

We couldn’t agree with you more! Thanks for sharing.

Q: If your main character dressed up for Halloween as something other than what they are in your book, what would they choose, and why?

A: For Halloween, I think Gwei would love to dress up as (or shapeshift into) a fridge so he could sneakily eat all the food we put in it to save for later.

Ha, we love it!

Q: What is your favorite Halloween candy that you’d love to see in your goodie bag, and what candy would you immediately swap (or toss)?

A: My favorite Halloween candy is Kit Kat bars. I have a bit of a sweet tooth, so I’d rarely reject candy. But perhaps I’d swap out taffy for anything chocolate.

Q: Would you like to leave a Trick or a Treat for our readers? A: I’d like to offer a treat! I’ll be giving away a signed copy of Gwei the Hungry Ghost with a sticker sheet and bookmark included (shipping within U.S. only). 

WOAH! What a Ghoul-icious treat! Thanks so much for joining us and sharing a closer look at your book. It was a true treat getting to know you more.

Giveaway Details: Readers, to enter Emeline's giveaway, 1) leave a comment below to thank her for stopping by, and 2) share her post on social media. Ghostly GIFs are highly encouraged too!

*Special Reminder: Those who like, leave a comment on, and share all posts will be entered into a drawing and be eligible to win:

• One (1) of five (5) Rate Your Story Speed Passes, perfect for quick MS feedback, provided by Editor Lynne Marie and Author Heather Macht and/or

• Books from Heather's Treat Bag (see below)!

  
  

Winners will be drawn and announced on 10/18. Head back to the blog then for the official announcement!

About Emeline Lee:

Emeline Lee is an author of children's literature. Her picture books include Bonnie's Rocket (illus. Alina Chau; Lee & Low Books), a STEM-friendly story set during Apollo 11, and Gwei the Hungry Ghost (illus. Basia Tran; Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers), a whimsical story inspired by Chinese food and folklore. She lives in New Jersey and enjoys hiking in nature, eating hot pot, and crocheting cozy things. 

For more about Emeline, check out the below links:

Author website: www.emelinelee.com

Buy Gwei the Hungry Ghost: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/775825/gwei-the-hungry-ghost-by-written-by-emeline-lee-illustrated-by-basia-tran/

Buy Bonnie’s Rocket: https://www.emelinelee.com/bonnies-rocket

School & Library Visits: https://www.emelinelee.com/:

Instagram: @emelineleebooks

Amazon: Amazon.com: Emeline Lee: books, biography, latest update

---

REMINDER: The 2026 SOKL Book Awards Contest is LIVE! For more, visit: 2026 Book Awards | SeasonsOfKidlit