Ying Chang Compestine
Ying Chang Compestine is a Chinese American author, speaker, television host and chef. She has written over 27 books, including the novel Revolution Is Not a [Dinner Party (novel)|Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party] based on her life growing up during the Chinese Cultural Revolution, and a middle grade novel, Morning Sun in Wuhan, set in Wuhan, China.
Biography
Ying Chang Compestine was born and raised in Wuhan, China, during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Her family was considered "bourgeois," so the Red Guard took her family's belongings and her father was put in jail twice. Because of the family's difficulties, Compestine was sent to live with her grandparents.Compestine earned a degree in English and American literature and taught English in China. She also worked as an interpreter for China's Bureau of Seismology.
Compestine graduated with a master's degree in sociology from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1990. 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. Compestine has received various education awards including the Master Teacher Award from both Front Range Community College and the International School of Beijing.Compestine has hosted several cooking shows on Chinese Language News Broadcaster for Phoenix North America Chinese Channel, as well as appearing as a guest on the Food Network, Discovery Channel, and HGTV. She also worked a food editor for Martha Stewart's Body + Soul magazine and is a contributor for Cooking Light, EatingWell, Self, and Men's Health. 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. She began writing children's books after her parents died, because she missed China and her family. Since then she has written numerous children's books, and is actively writing today.Her book Revolution is Not a Dinner Party draws on her childhood growing up during the Cultural Revolution.. It was included in the 2008 American Library Association's Best Books for Young Readers, and Publishers Weekly's best children's books for 2007.
In 2014 Compestine co-authored Secrets of The Terra Cotta Soldier, with her son Vinson.
Her picture book, Growing Up Under a Red Flag, 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, illustrated by Crystal Kung, and The Chinese New Year Helper, 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. Holiday House. 2018. Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party. Verlagshaus Jacoby & Stuart. 2018. The Chinese Emperor's New Clothes. Abrams Books For Young Readers. 2018. ISBN 978-1419725425.- . Abrams Books For Young Readers. 2018.