ReadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2025

Gwei the Hungry Ghost

Emeline Lee author Basia Tran illustrator

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Penguin Young Readers

Publishing:13th Jan '26

£16.99

This title is due to be published on 13th January, and will be despatched as soon as possible.

Gwei the Hungry Ghost cover

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. Yet no matter how much Gwei eats, his hunger won’t go away. As he searches for the perfect meal, he catches someone following him. It's another hungry little ghost! When he hears her grumbling belly, he reluctantly reaches into his pouch to share. To his surprise, he finally starts to feel full. With charming Chinese folklore - inspired text by Emeline Lee and warm, glowing illustrations by Basia Tran, Gwei the Hungry Ghost is a story about how friendship feeds the soul. Features illustrated backmatter with more information on the real Hungry Ghost Festival and more spirits of Chinese mythology!

Praise for Gwei the Hungry Ghost by Emeline Lee; Illustrated by Basia Tran:

"A feast for the senses with a sweet message of sharing." —Kirkus Reviews

“Luminous…brims with warmth and love as families and friends celebrate together to honor their ancestors” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“Draws from Chinese folklore for a sweet tale with moral underpinnings.” —Booklist




ISBN: 9798217002795

Dimensions: 236mm x 289mm x 9mm

Weight: 451g

40 pages