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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Story of Redemption, November 10, 2009
This review is from: The Little Girl (Hardcover)
In 1979, China adopted the One Child Policy to alleviate the country's bourgeoning population problem. As a result, a host of other issues ensued, namely the increasingly lopsided gender ratio, which heavily favors boys over girls. As is common in Asian, deeply patriarchal societies, the Chinese give males preferential status, which puts pressure on parents to find ways to ensure they have a son for their lone offspring.
Though proponents herald the success of this policy, pointing to an estimated prevention of 250 million births in its first 20 years, it remains controversial for a number of reasons; foremost is its failure to uphold human rights. The harrowing evidence shows some of the methods used to enforce the One Child Policy utilize forced sterilization, forced abortion, infanticide and abandonment, particularly in cases when a girl is expected or born. This rule has resulted in a current count of 30-40 million more boys to girls or a 120:100 boy/girl ratio. As this generation comes to adulthood, a greater understanding of the impact of this gender imbalance is emerging: a growing crime rate and proliferation of prostitution and human trafficking (including the buying of foreign wives). The scarcity of women has created a new societal phenomenon of "bachelor villages" where Chinese men, outnumbering the women, have congregated to live.
It is in this context the story is written. In The Little Girl, a baby girl is abandoned and left on the roadside. She is found by a man who happens to be a bachelor and adopts her, raising her as his own. The story unfolds as a tale of the father and daughter growing up. We glimpse snapshots of their life together, highlighting typical village life with its food, games and customs. The viewpoint is especially poignant when drawing from the father's perspective.
The story addresses a current social problem but tells it in a redemptive way. Two lives, which would presumably have been lived out in loneliness and compromised at best, have been given a second chance, and new life is found with one another. An unwanted daughter is given a home; a faithful man is given someone to love. Both situations begin as not how they should be, but are ultimately redeemed. This incredible story of hope is beautifully enhanced with stunning watercolors by artist Fenlin Lee.
This book would be for anyone who enjoys children's books, but especially for those who have a particular interest in China, children or adoption. Drawing from his Chinese-American heritage, author Phil Wong, inspired by his experiences teaching in China and his travels to Vietnam for the adoption of two of his children, champions here for a more just society. I applaud Phil for bringing light to this current and pressing issue in a way that does not condemn, but tells a message with peace there is another way.
Knowing the background can make this sound like an intense read, but presented as it is, it is not troubling at all. As is common with such stories, children often take away from it something altogether different from adults. My children (including the 5-year-old) see it simply as a story of a baby finding a home and laugh at various parts. It should be noted there are a couple of places where Christian imagery occurs, in the context of someone caring for the girl.
Finally, as someone who knows the author and his family personally, I know the commitment, faith and integrity he brought to the project and the vision he holds as it moves forward. He hopes to use the proceeds from the book to go towards printing a translation in Chinese to distribute it there. May awareness of this issue increase through this effort and may people be inspired to respond with compassion, justice and courage.
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