THE GLASS PYRAMID: A STORY OF THE LOUVRE MUSEUM AND ARCHITECT I. M. PEI, by Jeanne Walker Harvey and Khoa Le, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, May 27, 2025, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 4-8)
Learn the story of how France’s Louvre Museum was redesigned and the architect who did it in The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei, by of Jeanne Walker Harvey and Khoa Le.
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. —Synopsis provided by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
I’ve visited the Louvre twice and both times entered through I. M. Pei’s pyramid. It has an open, warm quality to it making it a beautiful piece of art and architecture. It’s modern and clean, and fits perfectly with a building that encompasses Gothic, French Renaissance, Louis XIII style, French Baroque, Neoclassical, Neo-Baroque, and Second Empire styles. When you visit, it feels like it’s always been there.
In The Glass Pyramid, readers will discover that the pyramid is, in fact, relatively new. It was completed in 1989.
Author Jeanne Walker Harvey brings the entire design and construction process to life, exploring Pei’s process and referencing his childhood influences. Harvey’s writing clear and engaging, making you want to know more.
Artist Khoa Lee’s illustrations mix reality and imagination, depicting Pei’s creative process in such a way that children can easily grasp it.
Excellent back matter includes more about architects in general, a brief biography of I. M. Pei, and a section on how STEM helped in the crafting and upkeep of the pyramid.
The Glass Pyramid is a fascinating read, perfect for home or the classroom.
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