To celebrate the 50th anniversaries of Sena Keiko's beloved picture books Gracia Meets a Ghost and Ghost Tempura, Poplar Publishing released a special gift box set on March 4, 2026.
The gift box contains two palm-sized special mini editions of the picture books, printed with Sena Keiko's signature, along with a ghost stuffed toy featuring a removable tempura batter costume. The set lets fans recreate the memorable scene from the books in which the ghost almost gets deep-fried in tempura batter.
Mini Picture Books
Gracia Meets a Ghost
Usako loses her glasses on a mountain and sets out to find them. Deep in the forest, however, she encounters a ghost who is bored and troubled.
Ghost Tempura
While Usako is happily frying tempura, a mountain ghost is lured in by the delicious smell and sneaks inside. What will happen?
The "Gracia Meets a Ghost" Series
Gracia Meets a Ghost was first published in 1975, and Ghost Tempura celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026. The series quickly became a bestseller upon its original release and now spans four volumes with cumulative sales exceeding 2.6 million copies, cherished across four generations of readers.
About the Author: Sena Keiko
Born in Tokyo, Sena Keiko studied under artist Takeo Takei, known for his modern style, and entered the world of picture books. In 1970, she won the Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award for Iya da iya da no Ehon (Fukuinkan Shoten), establishing her own distinctive style as a picture book author. Her humorous collage artwork earned her a wide following among readers of all ages. Her works include Gracia Meets a Ghost, Ghost Tempura, the "Sena Keiko's Picture Books" series, The Quarrel Between the Sun and the Moon depicting war, and the poetry collection Sena Keiko Shiga-shu: Chiisa na Sekai (all published by Poplar Publishing). She received the 50th Children's Culture Merit Award in 2011 and passed away in 2024.
Product Information
Gracia Meets a Ghost 50th Anniversary: Picture Books and Ghost with Tempura Batter Set
Written by: Sena Keiko
Release date: March 4, 2026
Size: 283mm x 205mm
