The glass pyramid A story of the Louvre Museum and architect I.M. Pei

Harvey adds another stunning title to her body of work in this lyrical picture book of an iconic piece of architecture. I. M. Pei, a renowned Chinese American architect, was commissioned by the French president to redesign the world's largest museum, the Louvre, to make more room for art restorations and a clear entrance for visitors. Pei kept his project a secret; he was an outsider and had faced a lifetime of discrimination and criticism for his nationality, inventiveness, and unconventional building designs. For this project, he drew inspiration from the ancient stone pyramids of Egypt, the Buddhist retreats of China, and the geometric gardens of Versailles to create the modern glass pyramid which seems to "grow out of the courtyard." But it didn't come without trials: "Success is a collection of problems solved," and Pei exemplified this by overcoming adversity, time constraints, and skepticism at every step. The digitally painted illustrations mimic the architecture beautifully, appearing as weightless as the pyramid itself while artfully highlighting the places and ideas that came together in Pei's ultimate design. With helpful back matter offering even more context, this is a worthwhile addition to any picture-book collection, especially where books about architects, artists, and architecture are popular.

Architect I.M. Pei (1917--2019) believed that "success is a collection of problems solved," and designing the Louvre's now-iconic glass pyramid entrance put that philosophy to the ultimate test. In spare, rhythmic prose and digital illustrations that combine architectural elements with vector-like precision, Walker Harvey and Le weave together Pei's biography and the pyramid's creation story. When approaching the project--designed to solve a serious number of visitor flow issues--Pei understands that a purely utilitarian solution won't suffice. The architect finds inspiration in the rock gardens of his family's retreat in China as well as the geometric Gardens of Versailles, but the pyramid's design proves only half the challenge. Pei also faces fierce opposition that he approaches via patience and a partnership with Paris's mayor, a tack that shows how enduring solutions often emerge from a confluence of expertise, imagination, and persuasion. Back matter offers more context. Ages 4--8. (May)

Harvey focuses on one pivotal project in I. M. Pei's (1917-2019) career to vividly document the ways in which the gifted architect balanced creativity, technical know-how, and public perception. Commissioned by the French president to redesign the Louvre, Pei readily identifies the structural problems ("visitors must undertake a tiresome trek from the entrance to reach the artworks") that a good design might solve. Despite combining his immersive research on French architectural traditions with inspiration from his Chinese roots and his "experience in America, which fosters innovation," Pei's design is roundly rejected by the French public. The architect's story, as outlined by Harvey, is one of perseverance, quoting his tenet that "success is a collection of problems solved." The text deftly incorporates elements of Pei's biography -- his childhood play in Suzhou rock gardens, his outsider status as a student at MIT -- without losing sight of the Louvre project at the narrative's center. Pei eventually wins over public opinion via media interviews and "a full-size mock-up of the [glass] pyramid." Although the digital art renders some human figures -- especially at a distance -- somewhat flat, Le's precise line work is well suited to capturing the architectural details of the Louvre and other buildings, as well as organic forms representing Pei's creative process. Back matter offers additional biographical details along with information on the Louvre pyramid's construction and upkeep -- including how all those panes of glass are kept clean. Norah PiehlSeptember/October 2025 p.84 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A tour through the process, pitfalls, and ultimately successful 1989 debut of I.M. Pei's redesign of the Louvre. Chosen by France's president for the project, the Chinese American architect initially keeps his commission secret, worried that the French will block the involvement of an outsider. Pei visits the Louvre repeatedly, noting drawbacks that visitors to the museum and staff alike encounter and pondering solutions. He studies Versailles' gardens, focusing on their geometric forms, light, and water features. Harvey acknowledges Pei's Chinese influences, highlighting childhood visits to Buddhist mountain retreats and his family's ancestral garden in Suzhou. The French public's initial resistance is overcome through Pei's press interviews, an in-situ, life-size mock-up of the bold design, and the Paris mayor's approval. The courtyard's 71-foot-tall glass pyramid, whose clear panes allow views of the existing edifice, is a portal leading visitors logically to the museum's three wings. Pei's bold design embodies both his sensitive approach to functional public spaces and his modernist vision. Harvey's narrative features clear exposition, interspersing intriguing details about the discovery of an ancient subterranean castle and moat and the installation and cleaning of the pyramid's 673 glass panes. Le's illustrations deftly juxtapose old and new: childhood scenes in pre-urban China, Pei's notably sleek buildings, and the contrast between the pyramid and the Louvre's centuries-old facades. A clear view into an extraordinary achievement from a legendary architect. (information on architects, biographical note, STEM connections, selected sources, video resources)(Picture-book biography. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.