Low Ying Ping

Singapore friends! (And those who don't mind paying for international shipping!) I'm so excited to share the details for preordering signed copies of my upcoming US debut, SONG OF THE YELLOW DRAGON, available in both hardcover and paperback!  In anticipation of launching this book inspired by Chinese mythology, I had a hand-carved name seal made. Going to inaugurate that chop by using it on these preorders!  Also! My publisher made sticker sheets using illustrations taken from the book! These are black-and-white in the book, but the in-house designer coloured them in specially for the stickers! Aren’t they gorgeous? We're giving away one sticker sheet for each book preordered from @closetfulofbooks or @bookbarsg by the official publication date, 12th May. Remember to indicate who you want the books autographed to! (Links in bio.) FYI, I'll be holding a launch event on 30th May, 2-4pm, at Book Bar (full exciting details to be announced later), so if you’re planning to come for the launch (pls do!), you can opt to pick up your preorder from the bookstore and save on delivery costs! Do try to order early instead of waiting till the last minute, so that my distributor @times.reads can make sure to get enough stock in. What with the world situation, the books might take longer to get shipped to Singapore! P.S. If you order any of my other books at the same time, I will happily autograph them as well!  @penguinkids @penguinclassroom #SongOfTheYellowDragon #middlegrade #middlegradefantasy #asianfantasy

The news is out! I'll be making my U.S. debut with SONG OF THE YELLOW DRAGON, a middle grade fantasy novel that will be published by Putnam, an imprint of Penguin Random House! Nervous to be stepping out of the safe, cosy kidlit scene in Singapore to venture into the big, wide world of international publishing, but also super thrilled and so, so grateful for the opportunity. I love all my book babies, but this is the one that I laboured the longest over, and I believe it is my best work yet. I can't wait for it to land in the hands of readers, sometime in 2026! I don't know how I could have done it without my amazing agent @petejknapp , who believed in my story even more than I did, and kept my spirits up during the nerve-wracking submission journey. Also a bucketload of gratitude to editorial genius @nosaintjerome , who edited my manuscript together with Pete, and continues to be such a stalwart support. Thanks also to the rest of the stellar @parkfinebrower team, especially @stutitelidevara and @debarthel ! And where would I be without my editor @polo.oro , whose ability to see into the heart of my story convinced me he would be its best possible advocate! 🥰 Can't wait to share more about this special book. Stay tuned for updates! #songoftheyellowdragon #middlegrade #middlegradefantasy

Magic is slipping away, and time is running out. ✨ On the brink of turning thirteen, Mengyao and Kai set out on a dangerous journey to find the legendary Dragon’s Pulse and uncover secrets that could change their kingdom forever. THE SONG OF THE YELLOW DRAGON is an enchanting middle grade fantasy filled with dragon lore, ancient magic, and adventure.

Lovely pub day flowers from my wonderful agent @petejknapp and the team at @parkfinebrower ! 😄 So grateful that my book has had the support of so many amazing people, especially: In the US - everyone at my literary agency Park, Fine & Brower, and those who worked on my book at Putnam and Penguin Random House, especially my talented editor @polo.oro . And in Singapore - my distributor @times.reads , all the booksellers especially @closetfulofbooks and @bookbarsg who supported my pre-order campaign, and the Singapore Bookstagram community who came out in full force the moment they heard "local author". 🥹 Too many people to thank in this post, so do check out my book for the full list! My acknowledgement section runs several pages long (and even then I may have missed a few as I had to submit my acknowledgements almost half a year earlier) as I wanted to thank not just the people who helped with this specific book, but those who supported me when I was just a baby author trying to find my feet all those years ago.  It's exactly 10 years since I debuted in Singapore as an author. I can barely believe I'm now debuting in the US and the rest of the world. Dreams do come true! 📚 SONG OF THE YELLOW DRAGON is now out in bookstores! Crochet pattern of doll by @greenfrog.crochet   @penguinkids @penguinclassroom #SongOfTheYellowDragon #middlegrade #middlegradefantasy #asianfantasy

Local writer @vivianteowriter brings us yet another engaging read with RETURN OF THE DRAGONS, Book 3 of the Mikaela Kong series. So thrilled that our feisty heroine Mik is back, battling demons and practising K-pop moves! But in this instalment, Mik has even more on her mind as family troubles brew at home. In fact, the theme of family seems to be a focal point for this book, for Mik’s celestial mentor-cum-buddy, the White Dragon Horse Yulong, visits his home for the first time in centuries to ask for help to save the mortal realm, to mixed results. Book 2 brought us to the Underworld, and this book now introduces us to the watery realm of the dragon kingdoms. What with navigating Yulong’s fraught relationship with his relatives while managing her own emotional upheavals, Mik learns that family relationships are never easy, and some things are just beyond her control. Overall, the tone of this book skews heavier than the previous two (though there is still delightful light-hearted humour sprinkled throughout e.g. Mik thinking ‘“I have no time for banquets because I have homework to do” was what I could not say’ when the Dragon Kings want to throw Mik one) as Mik learns to deal with uncertainty, change, and disappointment. Whether she can rise up above all her challenges and defeat the evil threatening the world – we will have to wait for the next book and conclusion to the series to find out! This book is already out in bookstores but Vivian will be launching it officially at @afccsg , on 24 May 2026, 12.30pm at the National Library. Her book launches are always fun, so it’ll be well worth it to drop by! #bookrecommendations #Vivianteo #Mikaelakong #singlit #middlegrade

“For had anyone heard of a yellow dragon, except in ballads and in dreams?” This book was a dream. With sagely humour and a witty way with words, Low Ying Ping invites you into the heart of this tale. We start with young Emperor Kai, eavesdropping on a conversation between his royal advisors, plotting his very own murder. Kai runs away, determined to chase an old legend: the Dragon’s Pulse, which he believes will save him from his enemies. Kai must do this before he turns 13. In this world, children forget magic ever existed on their 13th birthday. Led by the wind away from courtiers in pursuit, Kai meets the irrepressible Mengyao, a whirlwind of energy, curiosity and spirit. All she wants is to grow up to be a divine healer, and discovers that Kai’s pursuit of magic aligns with her own. @lowyingping then brings us on a wondrous, unexpected journey that might induce a tear or two at the end. This highly-anticipated middle grade title debuts internationally and in Singapore bookstores this month. Preorders (that come with #bookswag if you’re fast enough!) have opened for signed copies @closetfulofbooks and @bookbarsg ❤️ Make sure you do this by 12 May, ok? @readingnationsg @times.reads @penguinkids #lowyingping #middlegrade #literaryreads #singapore

There’s a secret you might’ve known, but you probably forgot… MAGIC IS REAL. ✨🐉 In @lowyingping ’s latest story, every child knows that, but they forget all about it by the time they turn thirteen. Mengyao wants to remember. But with her thirteenth birthday fast approaching, she’s losing hope. Meanwhile, young emperor Kai is on the run from traitorous advisors, searching for the fabled Dragon’s Pulse, a magic capable of defeating his enemies. Embark on their journey; shaped by danger, secrecy, and the possibility of magic and unexpected alliances! 🐇 Join us for the book launch happening on the 30th of May 2026, from 2-4pm at @bookbarsg . Moderated by @melanderings , the authors will be chatting about Ying Ping’s international debut (!), magic, mayhem and mythical creatures, as well as get down to some arts & crafts to find your inner dragon. 🔥 Suitable for ages 8 and up: adults and kids welcome! See you there! 👋

Assembly talk at West Grove Primary School! We only had the P1-3s with us for this session, which was nice as I could focus on just my Journey to the West chapter books and delve into so much more detail, like the research I did before writing the book, and how I worked with my illustrator to put text and pictures together. Loved the questions that came at the end too, such as how much of the book is made up, and how much is real! Much thanks to the school for inviting me, and to Eduworks for facilitating the talk! #authortalks

One week to the release date of SONG OF THE YELLOW DRAGON! In an industry where goal posts are constantly shifting and so many things are out of your control, it is too easy to fall into the trap of feeling you've not achieved enough. So, when I went on holiday to China earlier this year and saw this chop in a traditional paper shop: 不忘初心 - a Chinese idiom that roughly translates into not forgetting your original heart, i.e. remaining true to your original intention, I stamped it in the ARC of my book to remind myself that I write because I love writing and that's all that really matters. Everything else is just fluff. (But fluff is good too! I like fluff! So please still buy my book! 😁) Preorder links in bio! @penguinkids @penguinclassroom #SongOfTheYellowDragon #middlegrade #middlegradefantasy #asianfantasy

Another positive trade review! Thank you, School Library Journal! This is the resource that US schools and libraries go to to help them decide whether a book is suitable for their collection or use in their classroom, so it’s gratifying to see @sljournal 's stamp of approval that SONG OF THE YELLOW DRAGON is "linguistically precise, developmentally appropriate, and instructionally rich" -- "a strong addition to any library or classroom"! (Full review published on their website.)  2 more weeks to pub day… Preorder from @bookbarsg  or @closetfulofbooks by 12 May to get personalised autographs and a free sticker sheet featuring illustrations from the book. Links in bio! @penguinkids  @penguinclassroom #SongOfTheYellowDragon #middlegrade  #middlegradefantasy #asianfantasy

I rarely read picture books, but this one makes me think I should try more. OUR WINGS AS ONE by @siyuanaw is currently shortlisted for the Hedwig Anuar Children’s Book Award in the picture book category, results pending the award ceremony during @afccsg in May.   I was drawn to it by Siyuan’s sharing during the shortlist showcase earlier this month, when he told the audience how the story was inspired by his sojourns in Mongolia, where he met the main characters of this book (Bekku and his eagle). I don’t know if this was originally created as a children’s book – the story about Bekku’s relationship with his eagle is simple enough for children to understand, but the art style is not what you would see in a typical children’s book. The pictures are oil-painted, and the focus seems to be on creating impressions rather than static images, and there’s a sense of fluidity and movement that I found quite mesmerising.   I guess because the book is mainly pictures with little text, the publishing industry conveniently slots it into the children’s books category. But if this means the book is only placed in the children’s section in bookstores, it would be a pity as not just the illustrations, but the story, have depths to them that adults would appreciate. Truly a picture book for all ages. #bookrecommendations #SiyuanAw #Ourwingsasone #singlit

This post is dedicated to my talented illustrator and cover artist, @yujie.creative . 🤩 Covers can make or break a book, and fellow authors will understand the nail-biting anxiety of awaiting what fate will bring us. So, fate brought me this, and I am beyond thrilled and grateful, for this stunning cover exceeded all my expectations. The cover shows a boy and a girl running in a cloud of purple mist with a yellow dragon looming overhead, against a setting of misty mountains, rivers, dandelions, and a full moon -- all key elements taken from my story. It perfectly captures the whimsical mood of the book, yet conveys the urgency of the children’s quest as they race in the mist. Yujie’s art just pops, both metaphorically and literally, as it’s done to resemble the style of traditional Chinese paper cutting, with the paper cutouts layered over each other. 😍 The book includes a number of illustrations and here are two of them! The one in the second slide gives a clue into the setting of the book – very C-drama-y, as Denise of @closetfulofbooks says in her AFCC video. 🤣 But Kai (the boy emperor in the picture) doesn’t stay in the palace for long, and as he sets out across the land in search of the mythical Dragon’s Pulse together with the village girl Mengyao, we get wondrous scenic pictures like the one in my third slide. This may just be my favourite illustration in the whole book (though the one showing a dragon across a two-page spread is a close fight – not going to spoil it for you by showing it here! 😉). A big thank you once again to Yujie and the entire creative team at Putnam for absolutely delivering on a cover and interior illustrations that convey fully the dreaminess, nostalgia and sense of adventure in my book. 2+ more weeks to pub day… Preorder from @bookbarsg or @closetfulofbooks by 12 May to get personalised autographs and a free sticker sheet featuring illustrations from the book. Links in bio! @penguinkids @penguinclassroom #SongOfTheYellowDragon #middlegrade #middlegradefantasy #asianfantasy