Ying Chang Compestine

Ying Chang Compestine was born and raised in Wuhan, China. Her family was considered "bourgeois," so the Red Guard took her family's belongings and her father was put in jail twice.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13624667/|title=Chinese Cook Returns to Roots|last=Spiegel|first=Jan Ellen|date=23 October 1997|work=The Orlando Sentinel|access-date=6 September 2017|via=Newspapers.com}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://education.ucdavis.edu/general-information/ying-chang-compestine-2012|title=Ying Chang Compestine (2012) - UC Davis School of Education|website=education.ucdavis.edu|date=16 July 2013 |access-date=2017-07-17}}{{Cite web|url=http://yingc.com/wordpress/?page_id=2186|title=Ying Chang Compestine {{!}} Ying's Education|website=yingc.com|access-date=2017-07-18}} She met her husband just before she finished graduate school.{{Cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Ying-Chang-Compestine-revisits-the-Cultural-2499273.php|title=Ying Chang Compestine revisits the Cultural Revolution|last=McMahon|first=Regan|date=3 October 2007|work=SFGate|access-date=2017-09-07}} Before becoming an award-winning author, she taught sociology at various universities and colleges in the U.S. and China until 1998.

After immigrating to the United States, Compestine taught sociology and writing at universities in both the U.S. and China.{{Cite web|url=http://residentexpertwiki-eastasia.weebly.com/china-ying-chang-compestine.html|title=China: Ying Chang Compestine|website=residentexpertwiki-eastasia.weebly.com|access-date=2017-06-30}} Compestine has received various education awards including the Master Teacher Award from both Front Range Community College (1991–1992) and the International School of Beijing (2000).

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,{{Cite journal|date=5 January 2000|title=Ying Chang Compestine|url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lfh&AN=49635246&site=ehost-live|journal=Baker & Taylor Author Biographies|url-access=subscription |via=EBSCOhost}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.diablomag.com/January-2012/Healthy-Cooking-With-Ying/|title=Healthy Cooking With Ying|website=www.diablomag.com|access-date=2017-07-31}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/yings-best-one-dish-meals/|title=Review of Ying's Best One-Dish Meals|access-date=2017-07-31}}{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/yingsbestonedish0000comp|title=Ying's Best One-Dish Meals: Quick & Healthy Recipes for the Entire Family|last=Compestine|first=Ying Chang|date=2011-09-21|publisher=Sellers Publishing, Inc.|isbn=9781416206439|location=South Portland, Me.|url-access=registration}} Compestine is also a spokesperson for Nestle and Celestial Seasonings.{{Cite web|url=http://www.diablomag.com/September-2007/Mighty-Spirit/|title=Mighty Spirit|last=Iaacs|first=Matt|website=Diablo Magazine|access-date=2017-09-07}}

Compestine began writing after her son was born, creating the cookbook, Secrets of Fat-Free Chinese Cooking (1997). 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 (2007) is based on her life growing up in China. The book has been featured on several lists, such as the 2008 American Library Association's (ALA) Best Books for Young Readers, and Publishers Weekly's best children's books for 2007.{{Cite web|url=https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/books/view/9780805082074|title=Revolution is Not a Dinner Party|website=Junior Library Guild|access-date=2017-09-07}}

Compestine co-authored Secrets of The Terra Cotta Soldier, with her son Vinson in 2014.{{Cite news|url=http://www.new-asian-writing.com/naw-interview-with-ying-chang-compestine-and-vinson-compestine/|title=NAW Interview With Ying Chang Compestine and Vinson Compestine|date=2014-06-26|work=New Asian Writing|access-date=2017-07-07}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.slj.com/2014/03/industry-news/pictures-of-the-week-authors-celebrate-at-abrams-books/|title=Pictures of the Week: Authors Celebrate at Abrams Books|date=21 March 2014|website=School Library Journal|access-date=2017-09-07}}

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 has received three "starred reviews" from the School Library Journal,{{Cite web |last=Saarinen |first=Tamara |date=July 12, 2024 |title=Growing Up Under a Red Flag: A Memoir of Surviving the Chinese Cultural Revolution |url=https://www.slj.com/review/growing-up-under-a-red-flag-a-memoir-of-surviving-the-chinese-cultural-revolution |website=School Library Journal}} Publishers Weekly,{{Cite web |date=May 12, 2024 |title=Growing Up Under a Red Flag: A Memoir of Surviving the Chinese Cultural Revolution |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780593533987}} and Booklist.{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=John |title=Growing Up under a Red Flag: A Memoir of Surviving the Chinese Cultural Revolution |url=https://www.booklistonline.com/Growing-Up-under-a-Red-Flag-A-Memoir-of-Surviving-the-Chinese-Cultural-Revolution-Xinmei-Liu/pid=9789083 |website=Booklist}} It has also been awarded the Gold Standard Selection by the Junior Library Guild.{{Cite web |title=Junior Library Guild: Growing Up Under a Red Flag: A Memoir of Surviving the Chinese Cultural Revolution by Ying Compestine |url=https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/growing-up-under-a-red-flag-a-memoir-of-9780593533987j |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=www.juniorlibraryguild.com}}

Her picture book, Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu, illustrated by Crystal Kung, was released in 2024.

Her most recent picture book, The Chinese New Year Helper, illustrated by Ginnie Hsu, was released in 2025.

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 108 Media.{{Cite web |title=Deadline: YA Book 'A Banquet For Hungry Ghosts' Optioned For Anthology Horror Series By 108 Media |url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/ya-book-a-banquet-for-hungry-ghosts-optioned-anthology-horror-series-by-108-media-1234858098/ |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=Deadline Hollywood|date=19 October 2021}}

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.

Compestine has been a sought-after keynote speaker/chef at high-end cruise ships, resorts, and private jets, such as The World,{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoGGmYRvWrE | title=Ying Chang Compestine a Writer in Two Worlds | website=YouTube | date=5 June 2019}} Silver Sea, Crystal, Canyon Ranch, and TCS World Travel.

She presents on a wide variety of topics, from 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.{{cite web | url=https://www.yingc.com/writer-in-residence.html | title=Writer in Residence}}

• 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.
• [https://www.yingc.com/the-chinese-emperors-new-clothes.html The Chinese Emperor's New Clothes (Audiobook Sample)]. Abrams Books For Young Readers. 2018.
• {{Cite book|title=A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts: A collection of Deliciously Frightening Tales|publisher=Tumbling Dumpling Media|year=2016|isbn=978-0997218701}}
• {{Cite book|title=The Story of Chopsticks|publisher=Immedium|year=2016|isbn=9781597021203}}
• {{Cite book|title=The Story of Kites|publisher=Immedium|year=2016|isbn=978-1597021319}}
• {{Cite book|title=The Story of Paper|publisher=Immedium|year=2016|isbn=978-1597021234}}
• {{Cite book|title=Boy Dumplings: A Tasty Chinese Tale|publisher=Immedium|year=2016|isbn=978-1597021197}}
• {{Cite book|title=Secrets of The Terra Cotta Soldier|publisher=Abrams Books|others=with Vinson Compestine|year=2014|isbn=978-1419705403}}
• {{Cite book|title=Cooking with an Asian Accent|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt|year=2014|isbn=978-1118130759}}
• {{Cite book|title=Ying's Best One-Dish Meals: Quick & Healthy Recipes for the Entire Family|publisher=Sellers Publishing, Inc.|year=2011|isbn=978-1416206439|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/yingsbestonedish0000comp}}
• {{Cite book|title=The Runaway Wok|publisher=Dutton Books for Young Readers|year=2011|isbn=978-0525420682}}
• {{Cite book|title=Crouching Tiger|publisher=Candlewick|year=2011|isbn=978-0763646424}}
• {{Cite book|title=Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party|publisher=Henry Holt & Co.|year=2007|isbn=978-0997218701}}
• {{Cite book|title=The Real Story of Stone Soup|publisher=Dutton Books for Young Readers|year=2007|isbn=978-0525474937}}
• {{Cite book|title=D is For Dragon Dance|publisher=Holiday House Inc.|year=2007|isbn=9780823420582}}
• {{Cite book|title=The Story of Noodles|publisher=Holiday House|year=2002|isbn=0823416003}}
• {{Cite book|title=Secrets From a Healthy Asian Kitchen|publisher=Avery|year=2002|isbn=9781583331279|url=https://archive.org/details/secretsfromhealt0000comp}}
• {{Cite book|title=The Runaway Rice Cake|publisher=Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers|year=2001|isbn=0689829728}}
• {{Cite book|title=Cooking With Green Tea|publisher=Avery|year=2000|isbn=9781583330654}}
• {{Cite book|title=Secrets of Fat-free Chinese Cooking|publisher=Avery|year=1997|isbn=0895297353}}

{{Portal|Children's literature}}

• [http://yingc.com/wordpress/ Ying Chang Compestine]

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Category:1963 births

Category:Living people

Category:American motivational speakers

Category:American historical novelists

Category:American people of Chinese descent

Category:American cookbook writers

Category:American children's writers

Category:21st-century Chinese women writers

Category:20th-century Chinese women writers

Category:21st-century Chinese writers

Category:20th-century Chinese writers

Category:20th-century American women writers

Category:21st-century American writers

Category:21st-century American women

Category:American women food writers