Internationally renowned for its vast collection of masterpieces, Louvre, the world's largest art museum, is frequently recognized and remembered by its gorgeous Pyramid Entrance. How much do you know about the story behind this iconic architecture? Check out award-winning author Jeanne Walker Harvey’s upcoming picture book The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei. Enter to win a signed copy and a Louvre tote bag, or a classroom set of 30 copies!
My Review:
Well-researched and succinctly written, The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei provides a highly accessible and captivating recount of how I.M. Pei managed to accomplish the redesign project for Louvre, commemorating the late architect's incredible talent and tenacity.
Impressed by his modernist design for the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., the French president entrusted I.M. Pei to redesign the Louvre Museum with easier access and greater appeal for visitors worldwide. Inspired by the designs of both French and Chinese gardens, I.M. came up with the brilliant idea of a glass pyramid. During the process of translating his idea into reality however, he not only had to tackle technical challenges, but also had to endure substantial social and political pressures, largely due in part to his Chinese-American identity. Staying calm but persistant, I.M. succeeded in delivering another masterpiece that left everyone in awe.
Based on true events and personal accounts, the book recaptures the process through which a well-established architect completed a demanding project from start to finish while highlighting the various formidable challenges he had to overcome. The engaging narrative demonstrates how intelligence, patience and perseverance contribute to I.M. Pei's admirable achievements, motivating young readers to become creative problem-solvers, to stand up against prejudice and discrimination, and to defend their decision through determination, diligence and solid skills.
By acknowledging the influence of I.M.'s ethnic background and childhood experience on his unique design, the story implies that we should embrace our cultural identity and learn to appreciate the beauty of diversity. In the meantime, it serves as a real-life example of how to identify a problem, clarify one's goals, and work out a feasible solution. The book's back matter goes further to introduce what an architect's job typically involves, and to include a brief biography of I.M. Pei, along with a more detailed description of the technical issues briefly mentioned in the story and how each of them get resolved.
Informative and inspiring, The Glass Pyramid is an educational read for everyone, especially those who aspire to a career in architecture.
About the Book:
Ages: 4+ | 40 Pages
Publisher: Atheneum / Simon & Schuster (2025) | ISBN: 978-1665953337
In 1981, I. M. Pei was on a mission. A successful architect known for his modern designs, Pei was asked by the French president to redesign the Louvre Museum in Paris, home to the Mona Lisa and now famous for the glass pyramid at its center. At the time, the Louvre had many problems and no pyramid.
Pei faced many obstacles, including discrimination because he was Chinese American. Determined to succeed and make the Louvre a welcome place for all, Pei worked hard—and sometimes in secret. This is the story of a visionary who worked patiently and persistently to solve problems and achieve his goals: to plant and grow a glass pyramid.
Purchase links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookshop.org
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 award-winning author of several books for young readers, including the picture book biographies Else B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Sea, 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.
Visit her online at jeanneharvey.com. Follow her on Instagram, X/Twitter, Pinterest and Bluesky.
About the Illustrator:
Khoa Le lives in Vietnam and 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.
Visit her online at khoaleartwork.com. Follow her on Instagram.
One Grand Prize winner will receive a classroom set of 30 copies of The Glass Pyramid and a Louvre tote bag!
Three First Prize winners will each receive a signed copy of The Glass Pyramid and a Louvre tote bag!
Giveaway ends 5/16. Open to US only. Please enter below. Good luck!
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Jeanne Walker Harvey. All views and opinions expressed are my own. icefairy's Treasure Chest is not responsible for winner selection or prize fulfillment.
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