Belle Yang adult nonficition, graphic novel, children's picture book

Belle Yang's Biography Belle Yang, subject of the PBS documentary, “My Name is Belle,” is frequently asked whether she is primarily a writer or a painter. Answer: "When I'm writing, I'm a writer; when I'm painting, I'm a painter." She is also asked whether she is a children's author or of adult books. Answer: "I write for children, adults and everyone in between. Now I am also a graphic novelist."

Born in Taiwan, Belle Yang spent part of her childhood in Japan. At age seven she immigrated to the United States with her family. She attended Stirling University in Scotland, graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz, in biology but went on to study art at Pasadena Art Center College of Design and the Beijing Institute of Traditional Chinese Painting.

She worked and traveled in China for three years and returned to the United States late in 1989 after the Tiananmen Massacre.

She returned with gratitude in her heart for the freedom of expression given her in America, certain she would firmly grasp this gift with both hands.

Illustrated, adult nonfiction:

Baba: A Return to China Upon My Father's Shoulders, 1994 Harcourt Brace

The Odyssey of a Manchurian, 1996 Harcourt Brace


Picture books:

Hannah Is My Name, 2004 Candlewick Press

Always Come Home to Me, 2007 Candlewick Press. Awarded Chinese American Librarian Association Best Picture Book of 2008

Chili-Chili-Chin-Chin, 1999 Harcourt Brace

Upcoming Works

  • A graphic with WW Norton. "Forget Sorrow: A China Elegy"

    "Foo the Flying Frog of Washtub Pond," Candlewick Press

Nickname

  • 萱 Xuan, pronounced "shhwen." It means "forget sorrow."

Family

  • My beloved parents. I am a visiting writer/artist to the schools. All children are my children.

Causes I Support

  • 826 Valencia Street Environmental Defense The Nature Conservancy Human Rights Watch American Immigration Law Foundation

Agents

  • Literary:

    Deborah Warren at the East West Agency

    Sandra Dijkstra (projects from 1992-2007)

    Speech:

    Susan Katz at ConnectingAuthors.com

Contact Agents

  • East West Agency
    1158 26th St., Suite 462
    Santa Monica, CA 90403

Publishers

  • Harcourt Brace
    WW Norton
    Candlewick Press

Web Links