CHILDREN OF HONG KONG

Shannon introduces us to a cross section of Hong Kong children, although the poorer ones--a former junk dweller and a refugee from the People's Republic--are conspicuous beneficiaries of government housing and education. Similarly the text is carefully positive on just about every aspect of Hong Kong life, but nevertheless includes some arresting details--descriptions of yum cha delicacies, religious and New Year's celebrations, the walla wallas or water taxis. . . . Unfortunately the photographs, both black and white and color, which dominate this short essay are often muddy, murky or too harsh in contrast.