Ying Chang Compestine

Starting in 1972 when she is nine years old, Ling, the daughter of two doctors, struggles to make sense of the communists' Cultural Revolution, which empties stores of food, homes of appliances deemed "bourgeois," and people of laughter.

Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party

When a young boy from a poor Chinese family brings home a mysterious old wok instead of the food his parents instructed him to buy, the wok surprises the hungry family by rolling out of the house and returning full of delicious food given to them by a rich neighbor.

A Chinese New Year Tale

The Runaway Wok

According to Chinese tradition, those who die hungry or unjustly come back to haunt the living. Some are appeased with food. But not all ghosts are successfully mollified. In this chilling collection of stories,Ying Chang Compestine takes readers on a journey through time and across different parts of China. From the building of the GreatWall in 200 BCE to themodern day of iPods, hungry ghosts continue to torment those who wronged them. At once a window into the history and culture of China and an ode to Chinese cuisine, this assortment of frightening tales--complete with historical notes and delectable recipes--will both scare and satiate!

A Collection of Deliciously Frightening Tales

A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts

When a hungry ghost threatens to gobble up a plump little boy, the boy tricks the ghost by convincing him to prepare an elaborate recipe first.

Boy dumplings

A playful, feminist retelling of Rapunzel with a Chinese-cuisine twist The story of Rapunzel where she’s being locked in a tower by a witch is a good one—but it’s not totally the truth. The real story is about a young princess in China named Ra Pu Zel who doesn’t want to talk to princes or look proper. What Pu Zel wants is to cook and eat in peace, her long hair neatly braided to keep it out of her food. And when she gets tired of everyone telling her what to do, she locks herself in a tower with her dog Bao. Although princes from everywhere try to convince her to come down, it’s not until a young chef arrives with an intriguing food to share that Ra Pu Zel finally has a reason.

Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu

a novel

Revolution is not a dinner party

Vinson Compestine

Through the stories of a terra-cotta soldier who has survived through the centuries, thirteen-year-old Ming, a village boy in 1970s China, learns the history of Emperor Qin, known both for building the Great Wall of China and for burying scholars alive, and how and why the terra-cotta soldiers came to be.

Secrets of the Terra-Cotta Soldier

A young emperor, whose advisors have taken advantage of him, enlists the help of honest tailors to reveal their misdeeds in this retelling of the classic fairy tale. Includes historical notes and instructions for making a robe.

The Chinese Emperor's New Clothes

What trouble have Ting, Pan, and Kùai gotten into now? When they’re caught playing at school instead of doing their math, the teacher gives them the usual punishment: he writes notes to Mama and Papa on the brothers' hands and demands that they hold them up for everyone to see. These kids will be the laughingstock of the entire village! The boys wish they could invent something for the teacher to write on besides their hands... something small and private. Can the creative Kangs concoct a formula for what just may become a very useful school supply? Enjoy the fourth adventure of the Kang brothers who discovered some of China's most amazing inventions — now with a new bilingual Chinese translation!

Amazing Chinese Inventions

The Story of Paper

According to Chinese tradition, those who die hungry or unjustly come back to haunt the living. Some are appeased with food. But not all ghosts are successfully mollified. In this chilling collection of stories, Ying Chang Compestine takes readers on a journey through time and across different parts of China. From the building of the GreatWall in 200 BCE to themodern day of iPods, hungry ghosts continue to torment those who wronged them.

Banquet for Hungry Ghosts: A Collection of Deliciously Frightening Tales

Award-winning author Ying Compestine reimagines the classic fairy tale "Little Red Riding Hood" from a Chinese perspective By now, you have probably heard the old folk tale about a girl in a red cape. The truth is that the story took place here in China, there wasn’t a woodsman, and I, the gentle wolf, certainly was not the one who ate them. Here is the real story. This is not the story you think you know. In this version of the classic fairy tale, Little Red lives in a village near the Great Wall and trains in kung fu. When she ventures to her grandmother’s to deliver rice cakes and herbal medicine, she encounters something much more fearsome than a wolf—a mighty dragon. With her wits and a sword in hand, Little Red must valiantly defend herself and her grandmother in this vibrant retelling from Ying Chang Compestine and Joy Ang. An author’s note discusses how this reimagining is influenced by Chinese mythology, symbolism, traditional medicine, and other elements of Compestine’s heritage.

Little Red Riding Hood and the Dragon

From firecrackers to noodles, from red envelopes to the zodiac, young readers are introduced to the exciting traditions of the Chinese New Year in this accessible and visually stunning homage to the holiday. Full color.

D Is for Dragon Dance

After chasing the special rice cake, Nian Gao, that their mother has made to celebrate the Chinese New Year, three poor brothers share it with an elderly woman and have their generosity richly rewarded. An ideal way to celebrate the Chinese New Year on January 24, 2001. Full-color illustrations.

The Runaway Rice Cake

It's the Chinese New Year, and the Chang Family has only enough rice flour to make one nián-gão, a special New Year's rice cake, for the entire family to eat. But this delicious little nián-gão has other ideas. "Ai yo! I don't think so!" it cries, coming to life and escaping. Ming, Cong, little Da and their parents chase the nián-gão all over the village until it runs into a hungry, old woman and sends her tumbling to the ground. Though Da is a small boy, his heart is big enough to share the treat with her, even though that leaves Da's family with nothing to eat for their own celebration. But the Changs' generosity doesn't go unnoticed. When they return home, they find the Kitchen God has left a wonderful surprise for them. Ying Chang Compestine's heartwarming story conveys an important and poignant message about sharing and compassion. Tungwai Chau's soft and evocative illustrations complete this tender holiday story.

A Chinese-American boy gains a new understanding of his Chinese grandfather in this celebratory story of family, martial arts, and the Chinese New Year. Vinson is very excited when his grandfather comes from China for a visit. When Grandpa practices tai chi in the garden, Vinson asks to learn, hoping it will be like kung fu, full of kicks and punches. But tai chi's meditative postures are slow and still, and Vinson quickly gets bored. He can't understand why Grandpa insists on calling him by his Chinese name, Ming Da, or why he has to wear a traditional Chinese jacket to the Chinese New Year parade. As the parade assembles, however, he notices the great respect given to his grandfather and the lion dancers under his training. And when Vinson is offered a role in the parade, he realizes that being part Chinese can be pretty cool--and is ready to start learning from his grandpa's martial-arts mastery in earnest.

Crouching Tiger

From dazzling dragon dances to scrumptious steamed dumplings, celebrate the Chinese New Year with this bilingual alphabet book in English and Mandarin Chinese. Lunar New Year is here! It's time for Acrobats to perform, Grandma and Grandpa to make cut paper decorations, friends to share Oranges with one another, and so much more! Follow along as two siblings prepare for the festivities and later have a feast with their whole family. First published in 2006, this new paperback edition presents the text in both English and Mandarin Chinese. Award-winning author Ying Chang Compestine beautifully captures all the tradition and excitement, while YongSheng Xuan's gentle artwork depicts the celebrations, including a full spread of a dragon dance. The book closes with an illustrated Zodiac calendar, tips to ensure good fortune in the New Year, and an author's and illustrator's note.

D is for Dragon Dance

In this action-packed adventure and coming-of-age story that finely weaves fact and fiction, thirteen-year-old Ming lives in a small village in Maoist China in the 1970s. His father is convinced that Emperor Qin’s tomb—and the life-size terra-cotta army created to serve and protect the emperor in the afterlife—lies hidden in the hills around them. But if Ming’s father doesn’t prove it soon, the town’s Political Officer will condemn him to the brutal labor camps. From the stories of a terra-cotta soldier who has survived through the centuries, Ming learns the history of Emperor Qin, known for building the Great Wall of China, and how and why the terra-cotta soldiers came to be. As their unlikely friendship develops, Ming experiences the mysterious tomb firsthand, braving deadly traps and witnessing the terra-cotta army in action. Most importantly, he comes to see how he can save both the terra-cotta soldiers and his father from the corrupt Political Officer and his Communist cronies. The book is illustrated with photographs of Communist Chinese village life in the 1970s, the Great Wall, and, of course, the excavated tomb with its many terra-cotta soldiers. It also features a special recipe from the story. Praise for Secrets of the Terra-Cotta Soldier "Historical photos and Indiana Jones–style adventure enrich this tale of an unusual meeting between the Qin Dynasty and the 20th century." --Kirkus Reviews "Despite the hardships, both courageous characters work to uphold their respective duties: Shi to protect the tomb and Ming to protect the cultural legacy of China’s people. With archival art, recipes, and end notes, this title is sure to be a hit in the classroom." --Booklist

A stingy fisherman always makes his three young helpers do all his work. One day he scolds the “lazy boys” for forgetting to provide lunch. “Don’t worry,” they say. “We can make stone soup.” The boys dig a hole and fill it with water and “flavored” stones. They trick the fisherman into making bowls and chopsticks, and fetching salt and sesame oil. While he’s busy, they stir in bird eggs, add wild vegetables, and slip fish into the soup. By the time the old man returns, they have a feast fit for a king. To this day, “Egg Drop Stone Soup” is a traditional dish in southeast China. A recipe is included.

The Real Story of Stone Soup

This hilarious, fun-filled tale is now revised with extra illustrations and a new Chinese translation! Long ago in China, a ghost can’t wait to sink his teeth into his next meal — a plump boy! He will need to think fast if he doesn’t want to turn into a midnight snack. What will happen when the ghost follows the “Boy Dumplings” recipe?

Ying Chang Compestine

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