Contributing to the growing debates on children and media worldwide, Little Friends explores the pervasive presence of film culture in the lives of children in China. The book also introduces the work of the little-known Children's Film Studio and the Film Course, a reform-period attempt by Chinese filmmakers and policy leaders to control the media to which schoolchildren were exposed. Stephanie Hemelryk Donald uses rich firsthand interviews, children's drawings, and film history to tell a compelling cinematic story before it is forgotten in the onrush of globalized culture. She is especially careful to bring in the interests and experiences of children themselves. Scholars and students of Asian and children's film and education will find this unique work a fascinating window into Chinese culture and society and a provocative exploration of media culture.

Stephanie Donald is professor of Chinese media studies, University of Sydney.

Chapter 1 Children's Media Research in an Asian Studies Context Chapter 2 Film, Family, and Feeling: Ganquing Chapter 3 "Messengers" or Consumers? Children in Children's Film Chapter 4 Classroom Media: Education and the Film Course Chapter 5 Creativity and National Style