Customer Reviews

Mei Mei Little Sister: Portraits from a Chinese Orphanage

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Words can't describe this beautiful little book, filled with beautiful little girls. I especially love the list of their names at the back, as they translate into English, things like Literary Excellence & Radiant Jade. The children do seem sad or at least suspicious of the photographer, and why not? It's probably not every day that some Westerner visits to take pictures. But there is mischief & hope in these little girls' faces, & just affirms my ambition for half my life to adopt from China.

Amazing photos, important photos, and a wonderful treatment of a heart-breaking subject. This book should be read by everyone.

I am an adoptive parent of a child from China, and received this book as a gift. Sad to say, it's not worth the hype. It's just a collection of photos. I doubt any of these children had a say in their being exploited for the publication and profit of this book. The cover touts to show their "inner lives", yet I find nothing revealing about seeing their sobbing, scarred or desolate faces -- it's obvious some of them had no desire to be photographed. There are really no written words (as suggested by another reviewer), only pictures. I certainly don't see why I would ever share this book with my daughter, or why she would have any interest in looking at it. This is definitely not a 'feel good' book. While I agree it's wonderful that the Half the Sky Foundation benefits from the sale of this book, I would suggest skipping the book and just donating the $35 directly to the foundation. I consider this to be one more product marketed directly at the heartstrings and wallets of adoptive parents (i.e., buy this book and help save a child).
Addendeum: Although, I always find it odd when someone reviews my review, I needed to comment. 100% of the $35 sale of this book does not go to children. A portion goes to booksellers, publishers, paper suppliers, etc.. Again, give to the charity, forget the book. While the intent was good, the end result is somewhat sad.

This book is all pictures of children in orphanages and epitomizes the images of the children we saw when we went to get our daughter from China....They are so beautiful without even saying a word...Thanks for a great product.

This book was given to me as a gift by someone who knew I have a strong bond with children from China. Each page I turned brought memories flooding back of the time I spent caring for children just like these, behind the walls of the secretive orphanage. Some of the haunting expressions are reminders of those I saw on a daily basis. When I feel my memories of China fading, I pull out the book to take me back. I believe a person cannot look through it and avoid being stirred to action to do something to help the cause of lost children in China.

www.kaybratt.com

We are in the process of adopting a baby from China, and this book just made my heart break. The images are so beautiful, and the children are so precious! In my mind, they seem to be simply be waiting... We can't wait to give one of them a home.

I purchased this book for my wife as we have adopted a baby girl from China. While these photos are from a different orphanage, the impact is the same. We did not get to see all the children at our daughter's orphanage, and they don't allow photos of the kids anyway. I recommend this book for any adoptive parents of children from China, or those looking into it. I will warn you, you will want to go back for more.