Book description from Goodreads: “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 to plant and grow a glass pyramid.”

Need some reviews of The Glass Pyramid?

• Chasing Pixies
• The Children’s Book Review
• Kirkus
• Mama Likes This
• Publisher’s Weekly
• Waking Brain Cells

Reading Activities inspired by The Glass Pyramid:

• Before Reading–From looking at the front cover: 
  • What might the title The Glass Pyramid suggest about what’s inside?
  • What shapes and patterns stand out most on the cover? What do they make you think of?
  • The book shows both an old museum and a modern pyramid. How do you think those two things might fit together?
  • What do you already know (or wonder) about the Louvre Museum or the artist I.M. Pei?
  • What questions would you like to ask the author or illustrator before reading the book?
• After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
  • What problem was I.M. Pei asked to solve, and how did his design address it?
  • What parts of his childhood or heritage influenced his ideas for the pyramid?
  • How did Pei respond when people criticized or doubted his plan
  • What do you notice about how the illustrator balanced old and new throughout the pages?
  • What message about creativity or persistence do you think the author wants readers to remember?
  • If you could ask I.M. Pei one question about his work, what would it be?
• Design Your Own Landmark: Imagine you’re an architect like I.M. Pei. Choose a famous place that feels too crowded or confusing. On blank paper, sketch a new entrance or structure that could make it better. Label the materials you’d use and explain what inspired your design.
• Light & Reflection Experiment: The Louvre pyramid is all about glass and light. Using a flashlight, mirror, or window, explore how light changes when it hits different materials—clear plastic, foil, colored cellophane. What patterns or reflections do you see?
• Shape Scavenger Hunt: Walk around your home or classroom and find shapes that repeat in Pei’s architecture—triangles, squares, and diamonds. Take photos or draw what you find. Which shape seems most powerful to you?
• Letter to a Visionary:
  Write a short note to I.M. Pei thanking him for something you learned from his story. What lesson from his life could help you face your own challenges?
• Bridge of Cultures Collage: Pei connected Eastern and Western ideas through his design. Create a collage with magazine images or digital art showing two styles—old vs. modern, natural vs. man-made—and find a way to blend them into one harmonious picture.
• Books, Books, and More Books! Check out these picture-​book biographies that celebrate design, creativity, and problem-solving: