Crystal.Z Lee author page

Crystal Z. Lee biography

Crystal Z. Lee is a Taiwanese American bilingual writer whose work includes children’s picture books, poetry and adult fiction. Before becoming an author, she worked as a public relations executive with companies in the fashion, beauty, technology and automotive industries.

Her first children’s picture book, A Unicorn Named Rin, illustrated by Li Liu, was published by Balestier Press in 2021. Set against locations and traditions associated with China’s Tang dynasty, it follows Rin the Unicorn as she searches for a missing phoenix with the help of Dragon, Tiger and Tortoise. Lee followed it with Kai the Dancing Butterfly, illustrated by Allie Su and published by Balestier Press in 2022. The story draws on Taiwan’s purple crow butterfly migration and introduces Taiwanese landscapes, wildlife and Indigenous cultures.

Lee and Allie Su have subsequently collaborated on several further picture books. Mei’s Mermaid Mission, published in 2024, follows a Taiwanese mermaid who brings together mermaids from across Asia to tackle marine pollution. Pei’s Pineapple Cakes, published in 2025 in English and bilingual English-Mandarin editions, centres on a missing batch of pineapple cakes and a journey through central Taiwan, incorporating real places and traditional crafts.

Lee is also the author of the adult novel Love and Other Moods. Her 2026 picture book Miya’s Mooncakes, again illustrated by Allie Su and published by Balestier Press, follows a girl preparing for the Mid-Autumn Festival who decides to involve her neighbourhood in a new way of celebrating the occasion.