Mei Mei?little Sister: Portraits from a Chinese Orphanage

by Richard Bowen and Amy Tan

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0811847349
• ISBN13: 9780811847346
• Release Date: July 2005
• Publisher: Chronicle Books
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 8.6" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

Beautiful & Touching

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.

Mei Mei

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.

Stunning photography

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

Beautiful, beautiful book on an important subject...

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.

Amazing book that you will cherish!

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.