Mei Mei Little Sister: Portraits from a Chinese Orphanage [Hardcover]

Richard Bowen (Author), Amy Tan (Introduction), Karin Evans (Afterword)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 21, 2005

The Chinese believe an unseen red thread joins those in this life who are destined to connect. For photographer Richard Bowen, that thread led him to China's state-run welfare institutions, where there are thousands of children, primarily girls, growing up without families to take care of them. Mei Mei presents a poignant glimpse of just a few of these remarkable children. Composed against neutral backgrounds, these portraits capture the girls inner lives, away from their often bleak surroundings. The images show an almost endless range of expressions: small faces filled with longing and hope, joy and sadness, humor and mischief, defiance and despair. Through the camera's eye these young children are no longer orphans, but individuals whose personalities are as vital, distinct, and beautiful as any mother's child. When that unique human being comes into focus, the connection is made and the red thread becomes visible. And once seen, the bond can never be broken.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard Bowen, with his wife and other adoptive parents, founded Half the Sky Foundation, which seeks to enrich the lives of children living in Chinese orphanages. A director and producer in film and television, he lives in Berkeley, California.

Karin Evans, a journalist and the author of The Lost Daughters of China , is the mother of two girls from China and serves on the board of Half the Sky.

Amy Tan is an internationally acclaimed author of many books, most recently The Opposite of Fate: A Book of Musings . On one of her many trips to China from her home in San Francisco, she toured an orphanage and saw firsthand the positive effect of Half th

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; First Edition edition (July 21, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811847349
• ISBN-13: 978-0811847346
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #624,997 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #67 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Children

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, beautiful book on an important subject..., August 4, 2005

By 

Linnea "Bookworm" (Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mei Mei Little Sister: Portraits from a Chinese Orphanage (Hardcover)

If you have a child from China, if you are interested in China, or if you just love good photography, this book is for you. What I liked best about it is that it captures, in black and white, the expressions of all sorts of children at SWIs-young girls and boys, children with medical issues, older children. And the expressions are so poignant-giggling, crying, looking scared (many), looking solemn,looking impish or happily playing dress up. If you ever need a boost during the long and sometimes frustrating adoption process or are questioning just why you are adopting, just thumb through the pages and look into the eyes of these lovely children. Kudos to photographer Richard Bowen and the Half the Sky Foundation for this terrific and important addition.

28 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book that you will cherish!, August 1, 2005

By 

K. Pollinger (San Ramon, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mei Mei Little Sister: Portraits from a Chinese Orphanage (Hardcover)

I have purchased three copies of this book - my daughter is adopted and was supported by Half the Sky but you don't need either connection to appreciate the incredible photography and haunting, touching, straight to your soul photos in this gorgeous book. The photos are all black and white with very simple backdrops and incredible focus on detail, showing the children of China's orphanages as people with individual emotions. Every single photo is a new story told through the eyes of each child.

By far a book I will treasure forever.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mei Mei, March 9, 2006

By 

L. Schinto "Wendy Hammerstein" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mei Mei Little Sister: Portraits from a Chinese Orphanage (Hardcover)

A lovely, high quality edition of poignant portraits of Chinese children residing in orphanages. Ideal for the adoptive parent, the purchase of this book will also help young girls still living in China even if you cannot provide a home to one yourself. Do you remember the title "Honorable Mention" from grammar school? This deserves that merit and your attention. Some of the girls look sad today but they will be less so if you support the author's choice of foundation. See the book for details.