Book Review of The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I.M. Pei
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The Children’s Book Review
What to Expect: Architecture, perseverance, innovation, diversity, heritage, biography.
In The Glass Pyramid, award-winning author Jeanne Walker Harvey masterfully introduces young readers to the brilliant architect I. M. Pei and his revolutionary redesign of one of the world’s most iconic museums, the Louvre Museum in Paris.
More than just a biography, The Glass Pyramid offers an inspiring lesson in creative problem-solving, cultural appreciation, and persistence in adversity. From the moment he received the prestigious architectural commission to completing his now-famous glass pyramid, the story showcases how he approached the daunting task of modernizing an ancient institution while respecting its rich heritage, along with his own cultural and life experiences.
Harvey has skillfully crafted a narrative that celebrates innovation while respecting tradition—mirroring Pei’s architectural philosophy and translating complex architectural concepts and documented challenges into a narrative accessible to children. The honest portrayal of Pei’s obstacles, including discrimination due to his Chinese American background, is compelling and adds important cultural context and depth. One of Harvey’s strengths is how she subtly weaves educational and emotional elements by incorporating moments like Pei’s Confucian influences from his grandfather, demonstrating how these philosophical principles guided his approach to problem-solving and patience in design.
A double page spread of backmatter enhances the educational value with explanations about the architectural profession, the technical challenges of the pyramid’s construction, and the specialized glass developed for the project. These details and information about Pei’s education and career achievements provide excellent springboards for classroom discussions about art, architecture, history, and cultural exchange.
For solid visual context alongside Harvey’s words, artist Khoa Le beautifully balances the architectural elements with emotional resonance through digitally rendered artwork. The illustrations radiate a surprising warmth even with a cool color palette, inviting readers into the contemplative moments of Pei’s design journey and the majestic halls of the Louvre.
A valuable addition to school libraries and home collections, The Glass Pyramid offers young readers an engaging introduction to architecture and the incredible visionary I.M. Pei!
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About the Author
Jeanne Walker Harvey studied literature and psychology at Stanford University and has worn many job hats, ranging from being a roller coaster ride operator to an attorney, a middle school language arts teacher, and a long-time docent for school groups at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. She is the author of several books for young readers, including the picture book biographies Dressing up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head, Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas, Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines, and The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei. Jeanne lives in Northern California.
To learn more, visit her online at JeanneHarvey.com.
About the Illustrator
Khoa Le is an illustrator from Vietnam, who graduated from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Fine Arts. She has dedicated most of her professional life to working in publishing, illustrating numerous books that have been published in Europe, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam. Currently, she works and lives with her cats.
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