Ying Chang Compestine

Ying Chang Compestine was born and raised in Wuhan, China, during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Because of the family's difficulties, Compestine was sent to live with her grandparents. She met her husband just before she finished graduate school. Before becoming an award-winning author, she taught sociology at various universities and colleges in the U.S. and China until 1998. == Career ==

After immigrating to the United States, Compestine taught sociology and writing at universities in both the U.S. and China. and HGTV. Compestine is also a spokesperson for Nestle and Celestial Seasonings. Writing career Compestine began writing after her son was born, creating the cookbook, Secrets of Fat-Free Chinese Cooking (1997). In 2014 Compestine co-authored Secrets of The Terra Cotta Soldier, with her son Vinson. Her picture book, Growing Up Under a Red Flag (2024), illustrated by Xinmei Liu, is a memoir recounting her childhood during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. It received starred reviews from the School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist. It has also been awarded the Gold Standard Selection by the Junior Library Guild. Other picture books include Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu (2024), illustrated by Crystal Kung, and The Chinese New Year Helper (2025), illustrated by Ginnie Hsu. Her most recent middle-grade novel, Morning Sun in Wuhan, was released in 2022. Her young adult novel, A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts, is currently being adapted into an animated TV series by Robot PlayGround Media. Her graphic novel cookbook Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, and Other Curiously Named Classic Chinese Dishes: A Graphic Cookbook--26 Recipes and Stories, was released March 4, 2025. It was named Google Play's Best of 2025 graphic novel. ==Speaking career==

Compestine has presented as a speaker and chef on cruise ships, resorts, and other venues, including The World, Silver Sea, Crystal, Canyon Ranch, and TCS World Travel. She presents on a wide variety of topics, like "Rising above Adversity", about her life in China during the Chinese Cultural Revolution, healthy living and cooking, to writing/publishing books. Common speaking themes include: Inspirational Speaking, Healthy Eating and Cooking, and Writing Programs. This includes her Writer-in-Residence Program, where she spends one to two weeks working with students and teachers to inspire growth in reading and writing. == Publications ==

• Buddha Jumps Over a Wall and Other Curiously Named Chinese Dishes. Chronicle Books. Release date: March 2025. • The Chinese New Year Helper. Rocky Pond Books. 2024. ISBN 9780593534014 • Growing Up Under a Red Flag. Rocky Pond Books. 2024. ISBN 978-0593533987. • Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu. Rocky Pond Books. 2024. ISBN 978-0593533055. • Dragon Noodle Party. Holiday House. 2022. ISBN 978-0823449507. • Morning Sun in Wuhan. Clarion Books. 2022. ISBN 978-0358572053. • Little Red Riding Hood and the Dragon. Abrams Books for Young Readers. 2022 ISBN 978-1419737282. • D is for Dragon Dance (Chinese/English bilingual edition). Holiday House. 2018. • Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party (German translation). Verlagshaus Jacoby & Stuart. 2018. • ''The Chinese Emperor's New Clothes.'' Abrams Books For Young Readers. 2018. ISBN 978-1419725425. • ''The Chinese Emperor's New Clothes'' (Audiobook Sample). Abrams Books For Young Readers. 2018. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • == Awards ==