The Picture Book Buzz - Interview with Emeline Lee and Basia Tran
- Maria Marshall
- 1 minute ago
- 8 min read
Emeline Lee is a writer of children's literature.
Photo credit Kokila
She studied English literature and environmental sustainability at Columbia University and lives in New Jersey. In her free time, Emeline enjoys hiking in nature, eating hot pot, and crocheting cozy things.
Emeline’s the author of Bonnie's Rocket, illustrated by Alina Chau (2022).
Basia Tran is a Polish-Vietnamese illustrator from Kraków, Poland who shares her love of lore and laughter through graphite and pixels.
She lives in Jersey City, New Jersey with her husband Evan, their baby Naomi, and puppy Latke.
Basia’s the illustrator of 12 books, including Franchise Kid: Football's Most Valuable Coach by Vanessa Courtright and Caleb Courtright (2023), The Number Mountain by Ashley Allen (2022), Magnet Master by Tayler Logue (2021), What's That? by Karen Chan (2021), The Science of Defying Gravity by L G Reed (2020), and My Footprints by Bao Phi (2019).
Their newest picture book, Gwei the Hungry Ghost, releases on January 13th.
Welcome Emeline & Basia!
Tell us a little about yourselves. (Where/when do you write or illustrate? How long have you been writing or illustrating? What is your favorite type of book to write or illustrate? )
EMELINE – As a night owl, I often get creative ideas at night and mostly write on the computer (although I sometimes jot down notes on my phone when I’m away from my desk). While I've been dreaming up stories since I was little, I first entered the publishing world when I submitted the manuscript of Bonnie’s Rocket back in 2017. I have a lot of varied interests and love writing everything from STEM books to fantasy and folklore.
BASIA - Drawing is something that I always remember doing, but I didn’t commit to it being my career until my sophomore year in college. I was majoring in Computer Animation, spending all my days in windowless labs and I would draw as much as I could, not animate. With my friends and professors' encouragement, I soon made the jump to illustration. Every job has its challenges, but I’ve always felt willing embracing those of a freelance illustrator. I love to illustrate the fantastical and humorous.
It is wonderful to "meet" you both! What is one of the most fun or unusual places where you’ve written a manuscript or created an illustration?
EMELINE – I’ve done a surprising amount of work on the treadmill! Sometimes ideas or solutions come to mind when I’m out and about, and I have to get them down somewhere (like the Notes app on my phone) before I forget them. But I try not to do this too often and always recommend that everyone stay aware and careful while at the gym!
BASIA - I had just had my first baby. Snow was falling outside, a chill wind would sneak in, but I had hot chamomile tea prepared for me by my husband and my baby was napping on me. I’d sit at my desk and draw for hours. Unusual working conditions, but I feel a great gratitude to my life, which gives me so much.
Emeline, I can just imagine the hazard of getting involved in writing while on a treadmill. And Basia, that is the most perfect place! Which has been your most interesting picture book to write or illustrate? Why?
EMELINE – I only have two books out so far, and both experiences were interesting in different ways. Bonnie’s Rocket was inspired by my grandfather’s engineering work on Apollo 11, so interviewing him for the book was very meaningful to me and my family. For Gwei the Hungry Ghost, I really enjoyed immersing myself in folklore and reading up on fascinating ghost stories.
BASIA - Working on Gwei the Hungry Ghost and navigating motherhood made for an interesting and worthwhile endeavor. I’d like to think it made my art better, thinking my child might someday read it. 🙂I wanted to make my girl proud.
I love that Gwei and the Hungry Ghost Festival gave you both a chance to stretch your creative muscle. Emeline, what was your inspiration or spark of curiosity for Gwei the Hungry Ghost?
EMELINE – The story was inspired by hungry ghosts of Chinese mythology and the Hungry Ghost Festival, which falls around the end of summer. It’s a time when the realm of the living opens up to visitors from the dead. I’ve always loved Halloween books but hadn’t seen too many picture books featuring the Hungry Ghost Festival, so I set out to write one!
I honestly had never seen a picture book on this festival and loved learning about it. Basia, what about the Gwei the Hungry Ghost manuscript appealed to you as an illustrator?
BASIA - I loved how magical and warm it was and I cherished learning about another culture’s traditions. The lesson taught in Emeline's story would be one I'd love to teach my child too - that sharing is kindness and it is nourishing too. I nourished my belly with food I ate "for research" and I nourished my soul working on Emeline’s meaningful book.
Oh, I can just imagine the amount of delicious research you had to do. How many revisions did Gwei the Hungry Ghost take for the text or illustrations from your first draft to publication?
EMELINE – The manuscript went through about four revisions, and I had small edits to make here and there afterwards. My previous book went through at least seven major revisions during the editorial process, so this felt like an improvement!
BASIA - If memory serves, 2-3 rounds of sketches, 1 preview of final illustrations, updated final revisions based on the ever clear-sighted feedback from our editor Sydnee Monday, and our art director Jasmin Rubero, final illustrations and small revisions to those.
Thank you for sharing this with us. Emeline, what was the toughest part of writing Gwei the Hungry Ghost? What was the most fun?
EMELINE – The toughest part was actually writing the backmatter, since it’s pretty extensive for a fiction story. The “Select Ghost Guide” was simultaneously the most fun and the most challenging part because I researched so many intriguing ghosts in Chinese mythology but could only pick a few to feature in the book. Choosing the ones that made the cut wasn’t easy!
It would be fun to learn about the others, too. Maybe a sequel? Or a companion author's guide offered on your website. Basia, what was the toughest part of illustrating Gwei the Hungry Ghost specifically? What was the most fun?
BASIA - Things were pretty easy at first, I drew when my baby slept, and she slept for 16-18 hours a day. It did get challenging when my baby had a sleep regression, but we pulled through. What was the utmost fun was introducing Emeline and her writing to my daughter, Naomi, who is now 2! It's been an absolute joy to see how much she enjoys Bonnie's Rocket & Gwei the Hungry Ghost. She requests them by shouting "book" and "Ami" (for Emeline) all the time.
That is a real gift. It will be fun when she's old enough to realize you did the illustrations for a book she loves. Is there something you want your readers to know about Gwei the Hungry Ghost?
EMELINE – Even though it’s a whimsical ghost story, Gwei the Hungry Ghost showcases a real festival that is observed across several cultures throughout Asia. I’d love for readers to learn a little about the Hungry Ghost Festival and consider the unique ways that different cultures honor the dead.
BASIA - Please, enjoy and share this book and your favorite dishes with your loved ones (& others!)
I had never heard of the Hungry Ghost Festival and am so glad you created this book! Emeline, did anything surprise or delight you when you first saw Basia’s illustrations for the first time? Which is your favorite spread?
Text © Emeline Lee, 2026. Image © Basia Tran, 2026.
EMELINE – Every page delighted me! I love the way Basia depicted the food, as well as the expressiveness of the main two (very adorable) characters. If I have to choose a favorite spread, I think it’s the one where Gwei first opens his pouch to show Mei Mei all the food he has collected, or hoarded, from the night market. There are so many delicious things, from shiny egg tarts to fluffy baos!
It is truly a magical, hunger inducing spread! Basia, is there a spread that you were especially excited about or proud of? Which is your favorite spread?
BASIA - Funnily enough, I think it’s the same one that Emeline chose. The idea came to me quickly and I’m very happy with how it turned out. The downside is I want an egg tart whenever I see it.
It's so cool you both chose the same image. Basia, many illustrators leave treasures or weave their own story (or elements) throughout the illustrations. Did you do this in Gwei the Hungry Ghost? If so, could you share one or more with us?
BASIA - Not by conscious choice, but I think I did model the dog from the night market spreads on my neighbor’s pitbull, Daisy, who is the sweetest pup. She has the body of a tank and the soul of a marshmallow.
I love that description of Daisy! Are there any projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?
EMELINE – I’m working on two more exciting but unannounced projects. Both are picture books, and I can’t wait to share more about them soon!
BASIA - I’ve just started work on a YA graphic novel At Fifteen, written by Remy Lai and published by Graphix/Scholastic. It’s definitely a challenge to illustrate 288 pages but on the other hand, I cherish the opportunity to delve into a story for so long and so intensely!
Intriguing! We will have to keep our eyes open for these books! Last question, what is your favorite National Park or Forest, regional park, or city park (anywhere in the world)? Or the one you’re longing to visit. Why?
EMELINE – I love National Parks! I actually have a trip planned later this year to Glacier National Park. My friends and I are all very excited and looking forward to it.
© Poland Traveling.
BASIA - What a great question! There’s a Five Polish Ponds Valley near Zakopane in Poland that I’ve been to every decade of my life. The valley is pretty high up in the mountains, but still accessible to people of all ages. To reach it, you pass by a thundering waterfall and when you make the top, you climb down into the valley. Although the views are mesmerizing, the stillness of sound is so sudden you stop in your tracks and have to let the silence engulf you. Truly a place to feel one with nature. I can’t wait to take my baby there and recommend visiting it wholeheartedly.
Thank you, Emeline and Basia for stopping by and sharing with us. It was a pleasure chatting with you both.
To find out more about Emeline Lee, or contact her:
Website: https://www.emelinelee.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emelineleebooks/
To find out more about Basia Tran, or contact her:
Website: https://www.basiatran.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/basiatran
