Mei Mei Little Sister: Portraits from a Chinese Orphanage

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

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 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.

Genres: Nonfiction, Adoption, China, Photography

144 pages, Hardcover

First published July 21, 2005

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. It is mostly a book of photos with a brief summary at the beginning. As I look at the photos of these little girls in the orphanage, I cannot help but wonder if they will ever know how very special they are. It breaks my heart to see their little faces, some with smiles, many with without.

[Kit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful portraits taken from several Chinese orphanages of the little girls who have been discarded because of China's stringent single child policy. Very compassionately done-author/photographer adopted two of the little girls.

[happydog · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the mother of a daughter from China, this books makes me cry. I wish all children could find a forever home-

[Kelley Tackett · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful, touching photographs of children living in Chinese orphanages.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poignant and beautiful photographs of little children from a Chinese orphanage. Very lovely.

[Joanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

My fault, I misread the description for this book. It does not include the children's stories, it is just a photo essay.