Red Wing

Red Wing is a Buddhist nun who weaves ancient wisdom into stories that help children grow kindness, compassion, and gratitude. Before monastic life, she performed as a puppeteer in New York City and volunteered at a Tibetan refugee center and an orphanage in Nepal.

She now lives at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, a monastery in Northern California, where she tends gardens and creates stories that spark empathy, inner strength, and care for nature. "First You" grew from a traditional Jataka tale whose message of filial devotion and selfless care shaped her life and practice. Together with illustrator Akanit Dachani, with humor and lively Himalayan scenes, they bring the story to life. She shares, “This book is my way of passing on that story’s love and wisdom to children today.”

Red Wing holds master’s degrees in Holistic Education and Buddhist Classics, a certificate in Children’s Writing, and is the founder of Instilling Goodness Books, an imprint of the Buddhist Text Translation Society.

Her pen name honors her Cherokee great-great-grandmother, a keeper of family stories and traditions.

Questions & Answers

Q: What inspired you to write First You?

A: To share its message of selfless care with children.

Q: What do you hope children learn?

A: That kindness begins close to home, and caring for others is a real strength.

Q: How does being a Buddhist nun influence your writing?

A: Monastic life teaches mindfulness and compassion, guiding me to write simply and with care.

Q: Who is this book for?

A: Young children, especially when read aloud with parents, teachers, or caregivers.

Q: What would you like parents and teachers to know?

A: First You invites conversations about care, gratitude, and loving actions in daily life.