Award-winning picture book biographer Jeanne Walker Harvey tells the story of the renowned architect I. M. Pei and his triumph in redesigning the Louvre through problem-solving and persistence.
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.---from the publisher
40 pages 978-1665953337 Ages 6-9
Keywords: picture book biography, informational picture book, architecture, Chinese American, prejudice and racism, Europe, overcoming obstacles, problem-solving, perseverance, 6 year old, 7 year old, 8 year old, 9 year old
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How does someone create something new, never seen before? Where does the inspiration come from? Where does the idea come from?
In this picture book biography we feel as though we are walking along with I.M.Pei as he faced the challenge of building a new entrance to the Louvre. Was it easy for him? Did he get frustrated? Did he believe he could do it?
With a very personal voice this story takes us back to China to moments in Pei's childhood. Seems we can bring the memories and the lessons from our past and put them to use in our present to inspire us and give us tools for problem-solving and creativity.
Highly recommended: Barb Langridge, abookandahug.com
