Publisher's Hardcover ©2024 | -- |
Pei, I. M.,. 1917-2019. Juvenile literature.
Pei, I. M.,. 1917-2019.
Architects. Biography. Juvenile literature.
Chinese. United States. Biography. Juvenile literature.
Chinese American architects. Biography. Juvenile literature.
Architecture. History. 20th century. Juvenile literature.
Shapes. Juvenile literature.
Architects.
Chinese. United States. Biography.
Chinese Americans.
Architecture, Modern. 20th century.
Shapes.
A tribute to the distinctive approach and sensibility of the renowned modernist architect.In language as simple and stately as her subject's best works, Leung traces the long career of I.M. Pei (1917-2019) from childhood encounters with the intricately water-sculpted volcanic rocks in the gardens at Suzhou to his design of an art museum for the Chinese city many decades later. In between, she follows him to Shanghai and then the U.S., where he trained in his vocation, became a citizen, and, after winning a breakthrough commission to design the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, went on to a long and distinguished career. The author artfully develops her thesis that Pei "could foresee how the shape of a building must harmonize with nature, with people, and with time" by describing how he solved potential challenges in some of his iconic buildings, such as the tall but slender Bank of China tower in Hong Kong with its innovative diagonal bracing, as well as the daring but now iconic glass pyramid at the Louvre. (The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, alas, gets just a bare mention in the closing timeline.) In Wu's clean and lovely illustrations, Pei stands amid fanciful, harmoniously hued geometric shapes that tumble kaleidoscopically through his thoughts before flowing naturally, effortlessly, into structural components. Buildings and people alike seem to stand with graceful but monumental solidity.Acute and rich in insight. (selected sources) (Picture-book biography. 7-9)
School Library Journal Starred Review (Wed May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2024)PreS-Gr 3— From an innovative skyscraper to a futuristic presidential museum to a 70-foot tall glass pyramid at the Louvre, architect I.M. Pei made his mark on the world by designing extraordinary buildings. Born in China, Pei moved to Shanghai in 1927 at age 10, where he was fascinated to see an early high-rise building go up. Inspired to design buildings of his own, Pei moved to the U.S. to study architecture just as the profession was moving away from traditional styles and towards embracing modern designs using new materials and construction methods. After he was chosen to design the JFK presidential library, Pei became a highly sought after architect, completing numerous projects around the world, "each carefully planned by a man who could foresee how the shape of a building must harmonize with nature, with people, and with time." Richly colored, digitally enhanced illustrations perfectly complement the text, with colors and shapes ranging from the curved lines and naturalistic earth tones of a rock garden in Suzhou, China to dazzling angles, geometric shapes, and neon colors for Pei's modern buildings. Back matter includes a time line and selected sources. VERDICT A fascinating and beautifully illustrated biography of one of our most celebrated architects. Highly recommended.— Sue Morgan
ALA Booklist (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)In this colorful picture-book biography, Leung introduces children to the life and work of architect I. M. Pei. Born in China, he spent his summers with his grandfather in Suzhou and was intrigued by the rock sculptures there, created over time by water flowing through volcanic rocks. Later, his family moved to Shanghai, where he made sketches of the many buildings under construction. He came to America to study architecture from professors teaching modernism, but he brought with him the desire to design buildings that would please people in the future as well as the present. As a young man, Pei was chosen to design the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. Afterwards, his career soared, and today, his buildings are admired worldwide. While the text is relatively short, Leung does a good job bringing in early influences on Pei and suggesting how they guided his thinking when he created beautiful and sometimes unconventional buildings. In the imaginative illustrations, Wu uses vibrant colors effectively while showcasing examples of Pei's work. A good introduction to an influential architect.
Kirkus ReviewsA tribute to the distinctive approach and sensibility of the renowned modernist architect.In language as simple and stately as her subject's best works, Leung traces the long career of I.M. Pei (1917-2019) from childhood encounters with the intricately water-sculpted volcanic rocks in the gardens at Suzhou to his design of an art museum for the Chinese city many decades later. In between, she follows him to Shanghai and then the U.S., where he trained in his vocation, became a citizen, and, after winning a breakthrough commission to design the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, went on to a long and distinguished career. The author artfully develops her thesis that Pei "could foresee how the shape of a building must harmonize with nature, with people, and with time" by describing how he solved potential challenges in some of his iconic buildings, such as the tall but slender Bank of China tower in Hong Kong with its innovative diagonal bracing, as well as the daring but now iconic glass pyramid at the Louvre. (The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, alas, gets just a bare mention in the closing timeline.) In Wu's clean and lovely illustrations, Pei stands amid fanciful, harmoniously hued geometric shapes that tumble kaleidoscopically through his thoughts before flowing naturally, effortlessly, into structural components. Buildings and people alike seem to stand with graceful but monumental solidity.Acute and rich in insight. (selected sources) (Picture-book biography. 7-9)
Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)
School Library Journal Starred Review (Wed May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2024)
ALA Booklist (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)
Kirkus Reviews
In this stunning picture book about renowned architect I. M. Pei, award-winning author Julie Leung and captivating illustrator Yifan Wu unite to tell the story of the man who changed architecture forever with his forward-thinking shapes.
As a boy in Shanghai, Ioeh Ming Pei was awestruck by the enormous buildings that popped up around him every day. He quickly figured out exactly what he wanted to be when he grew up—an architect who designed skyscrapers that touched the clouds.
I. M. Pei set off to make his mark, and with his appealingly modern ideas, he found himself with many clients—including a rock and roll museum, businesses around the world, and even a president’s widow. Everyone wanted I. M. Pei to design their buildings. Though his plans weren’t always immediately popular, his legacy has endured, and his structures can still be seen all around the world, from the JFK Library and the East Building of the National Gallery of Art to the Louvre Pyramid.
Readers will be inspired by the spare yet informative text and luminous illustrations, which bring I. M. Pei’s incredible legacy and achievements to life.