Q&A with Jeanne Walker Harvey

 

Photo by Ron Bowman

 

 

Jeanne Walker Harvey is the author of the new children's picture book The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I.M. Pei. Her other books include Else B. in the Sea. She lives in Northern California. 

 

Q: Why did you decide to write about architect I.M. Pei’s glass pyramid at the Louvre in Paris in your new picture book?                                           

 

A: As someone who loves modern art and architecture, I’ve always admired I.M. Pei’s architecture and for a long time I’ve wanted to write a children’s book about him.

 

I spent a summer in Washington, D.C. and frequented the East Wing of the National Gallery designed by I.M. Pei. I appreciated the inviting sense of openness of the museum with its interesting angles.

 

And when I lived in Marin County, California, I went on a tour of the Buck Institute, which he also designed with his trademark geometric features, a 75-foot skylight and floating staircases.

 

I first began writing a book about each of I.M. Pei’s significant buildings. But when I thoroughly researched the glass pyramid development, I realized I wanted to focus on I.M. Pei’s creativity and his persistence and patience when he faced obstacles, including discrimination and the initial French disdain for his design.

 

Q: What do you think Khoa Le’s illustrations add to the book?

 

A: Khoa Le’s illustrations are absolutely stunning and perfectly draw the reader into I.M. Pei’s experiences. She expertly portrayed the architectural details of the Louvre, and yet also conveyed the emotions and reactions of I.M. Pei and others during the various stages of his life and the development of the glass pyramid project.

 

I love the pages with the blue flourishes in the air as if his imaginings and ideas are floating above him as he seeks to envision a design that could work.

 

He had quite the challenge to address the issues the Louvre faced at the time (no easy entrance, very limited public and storage space, and the difficulty of maneuvering within the museum).

 

And the spread with him and his cousins playing hide and seek in his family’s ancient Lion Grove Garden is such a delight! 

 

I always make a point of saying at my presentations that an illustrator and author are equally important in creating a picture book with each telling and showing different aspects of the story. It’s truly magic seeing the story come to life with the illustrations!

Q: How did you research the book, and what did you learn that especially surprised you? 

 

A: As with all my picture book biographies, I’m always on the lookout for as many primary sources as I can find. I was thrilled to find so many interviews, commentaries, and videos in which I.M Pei wrote or spoke about his work and his life. I also have a huge stack of books about him and the Grand Louvre Project, including ones published in France.

 

I was surprised to learn about the many identities of the Louvre over the centuries: fortress, military barracks, prison, palace. All before becoming the museum we all know.

 

I was also intrigued to learn that upon the suggestion of the current Paris mayor, a full-size mockup of I.M Pei’s design for the glass pyramid was erected in the courtyard of the Louvre for the public to see and imagine the final result. And that, along with the mayor saying “pas mal,” turned the tide of discontent and began the approval process. 

 

Q: The Kirkus Review of the book called it a “clear view into an extraordinary achievement from a legendary architect.” What do you think of that assessment, and how would you describe Pei’s legacy today? 

 

A: I’m thrilled by this Kirkus description! And I love the word play of a “clear view” given that Pei sought to create truly clear glass by commissioning a French glass company to develop and manufacture a special glass without iron impurities that normally give glass a green tint.

 

And yes, I truly think I.M. Pei is a “legendary architect” given his immense accomplishments throughout the world. And the glass pyramid itself was such “an extraordinary achievement” – not only the creative design, but the many obstacles he faced with the approval and execution of the project.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I’m working on a number of different picture book biography ideas, all in different phases and all focusing on creative inspiring people.

 

I find that it works well for me to put away a manuscript and then focus on something else. By returning to a manuscript, I have a new sense of what feels clunky or needs more explanation or needs to be trimmed.

 

And frankly, I so enjoy playing with the words once I have a rough draft that I’m never that eager to finish. The most difficult challenge is always to stop researching and put that first round of something down on paper. Even if it’s not the right approach and I end up tossing it, at least it gets the wheels turning.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: I want to give a big shout out to Team Glass Pyramid! My wonderful long-time agent, Deborah Warren, of East West Literary Agency is such a supportive advocate and always puts in tremendous time, thought, and expertise to find just the right home for my (and all her clients’) work. Plus, she’s such a lovely, fun, kind and compassionate person!  

 

And I couldn’t be more thrilled that she connected me with Kristie Choi, Atheneum Editor, who guided this manuscript with such grace and expertise and was part of the decision to see if the amazing Khoa Le would be interested in illustrating the book. I knew we’d get along when we exchanged cat photos!

 

And everyone at Atheneum in the art, marketing, publicity and other departments has contributed so much to the success of this book. I truly feel lucky to be part of Team Glass Pyramid! 

 

And thank YOU, Deborah, so much for this opportunity to chat about the book – it means so much to me to be able to share some of the back story of the book with your readers. I know I always enjoy reading your terrific thoughtful interviews.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Jeanne Walker Harvey.