The Runaway Rice Cake is a picture book written by Ying Chang Compestine and illustrated by Tungwai Chau.

[1] The book tells the story of the Chang family and the sense of community that can be born from a simple act of kindness.

In the Runaway Rice Cake, the poor Chang family has hardly any food to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

[2] The book concludes with an author's note, including instructions on how to celebrate the New Years and a recipe for "Baked Nian-Gao" and "Steamed Nian Gao".

[4][5][6] Library Talk praised the full color, acrylic illustrations painted by Tungwai Chau.