Ying Chang Compestine is an award-winning Chinese American author whose work spans picture books, young adult novels, cookbooks, memoir, and graphic literature. Her books often combine food, folklore, history, and family stories to introduce young readers to Chinese and Chinese American culture. Across her career, Compestine has written works for children, teens, and adults that explore themes of resilience, identity, cultural memory, humor, and intergenerational connection.

Themes Across Selected Works

A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts
  • Ghost stories
  • Chinese Food
  • Folklore
  • Moral Consequence
  • Contemporary Social Issues
Buddha Jumps Over the Wall
  • ​Graphic Novel
  • Family Cooking
  • Chinese Food Traditions
  • Humor
  • Recipes
  • Cultural Discovery
Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party
  • Historical Memory
  • Courage
  • Family
  • Survival
  • Coming of Age during China’s Cultural Revolution
Dragon Noodle Party
  • Celebration
  • Imagination
  • Chinese food
  • Dragons
  • Festivals
  • Cultural Storytelling
Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu
  • East-meets-West humor
  • Fractured Fairy Tale
  • Chinese Food Traditions
  • Family
  • Individuality
  • Cultural pride.
​Together, these works reflect Compestine’s signature style: food as memory, folklore with humor, history through story, and cultural traditions brought to life for young readers and families.