Beth Anderson, Children's Writer

“Finding a way in” is one of the challenges for an author. But it was also the challenge for the subject of author Jeanne Walker Harvey’s biography of architect I.M. Pei which focuses on his process of creating a way into the Louvre in Paris. You’ll be fascinated by this story behind the story of the iconic glass pyramid.

AND DON’T MISS THE FANTASTIC GIVEAWAY BELOW! A class set of THE GLASS PYRAMID, every educator’s dream!

Finding a Way into the Story by Jeanne Walker Harvey

When I first visited the pyramid at the Louvre designed by architect I.M Pei, I was absolutely enraptured! I thought it was such a brilliant idea to have a minimalist glass structure as an entrance to the museum. The glass and metal grids glittered in the sun, reflected the everchanging sky and clouds, and left the views of the stunning historical facades of the museum visible.

But I was unaware of the controversy leading up to the building of the pyramid until I began researching a book idea about Pei, an architect I’ve always respected. As an avid admirer of modern and contemporary art and architecture, I frequented I. M Pei’s East Building of the National Gallery during a summer I lived in D.C.  At first, I thought I’d write a book about the various buildings Pei designed. (I even tried writing the text in first person from the point of view of the buildings.) But when I learned of the challenges Pei faced and overcame regarding the pyramid, I knew that was the story I wanted to tell.

When Pei was offered the opportunity to redesign the Louvre that needed a prominent entrance, more gallery and public space, and other improvements, he was surprised. As he said, “It just seemed incredible that President Mitterrand would come to an American to do a project that is as important as any you can find in France. I told the president I considered it a great honor, but I couldn’t accept it outright. I asked him if he’d be willing to give me four months, not to think about it – I’d already decided I wanted to do this – but really to see if I could in fact do it.” 

During those four months, Pei made three secret visits to Paris. I immediately knew that was the way into this story. So I began THE GLASS PYRAMID with “Ieoh Ming (“I.M.”) Pei is on a secret mission.”  I was drawn to the idea of him being a secret sleuth, exploring the museum and Paris and France while seeking a solution for the design.

He hits upon the idea of a glass pyramid structure to be built in the museum courtyard with entrance stairs leading down to new underground spaces connecting the three sides of the museum.

Khoa Le, the incredibly talented illustrator of THE GLASS PYRAMID, perfectly incorporates Pei’s early sketches of the pyramid design. I love her illustration on the page with the text, “When I.M. works on creating a new design, he thinks in Chinese, the language of his childhood. When he creates possibilities in his mind, his hands move in front of him as if sketching in the air. He sleeps badly and becomes irritable. But he keeps trying.”

And that was only the beginning of I.M Pei’s challenges because the French public initially vehemently objected to his design and Pei himself, a Chinese American who wasn’t a French citizen. One newspaper article said, “It doesn’t seem justified to treat the courtyard of the Louvre like a Disneyland annex.” Others called it “an atrocity, a gigantic, ruined gadget, a cheap-looking tacky diamond, and a grand monster.”

Eventually, Pei was able to gain approval and oversee the completion of the now revered pyramid. As Pei said, “Nobody would question Einstein about relativity, but everybody has an opinion about architecture. There were times in my career, and the Louvre is one, when even knowing you’re right is not enough… you have to be patient and take all the blows that come and continue to defend.”

I’m hoping THE GLASS PYRAMID: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I.M Pei inspires children to follow their passions and strive to have patience and perseverance when faced with obstacles. And I hope they too enjoy being creative secret sleuths whenever possible – who knows what great ideas they may conjure up!

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.
• https://www.instagram.com/jeannewharvey/
• https://x.com/jeannewharvey?lang=en
• https://www.pinterest.com/jeannewalkerharvey/
• https://bsky.app/profile/jeannewharvey.bsky.social

YOU CAN GET IN ON THIS TERRIFIC GIVEAWAY HERE!

Sunday, April 20, 2025 – The Children’s Book Review – Book Review of The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei

Monday, April 21, 2025 – The Starlit Path – Book Review of The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei

Tuesday, April 22, 2025 – Me Two Books – Book Review of The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei

Wednesday, April 23, 2025 – One More Exclamation – Book Review of The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei

Thursday, April 24, 2025 – The Fairview Review – Book Review of The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei

Friday, April 25, 2025 – icefairy’s Treasure Chest – Book Review of The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei

Tuesday, April 29, 2025 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – Book Review of The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei

Wednesday, April 30, 2025 – Crafty Moms Share – Book Review of The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei

Thursday, May 1, 2025 – Cover Lover Book Review – Book Review of The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei

Friday, May 2, 2025 – Beth Anderson’s Blog – Guest Post about The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei

Friday, May 2, 2025 – @Bookstr – Author Interview with Jeanne Walker Harvey

Monday, May 5, 2025 – The Children’s Book Review – Instagram Reel about The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei

Tuesday, May 6, 2025 – Glass of Wine, Glass of Milk – Book Review of The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei

Wednesday, May 7, 2025 – Froggy Read Teach – Book Review of The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei

Thursday, May 8, 2025 – A Blue Box Full of Books – Book Review of The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei

Friday, May 9, 2025 – Simply 7 Interview – Author Interview with Jeanne Walker Harvey

Monday, May 12, 2025 – PagesforPaige – Book Review of The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 – Deliciously Savvy – Book Review of The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 – Country Mamas With Kids – Book Review of The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei