About this item
You may be familiar with the iconic Vietnam Veterans Memorial. But do you know about the artist-architect who created this landmark?As a child, Maya Lin loved to study the spaces around her. She explored the forest in her backyard, observing woodland creatures, and used her house as a model to build tiny towns out of paper and scraps. The daughter of a clay artist and a poet, Maya grew up with art and learned to think with her hands as well as her mind. From her first experiments with light and lines to the height of her success nationwide, this is the story of an inspiring American artist: the visionary artist-architect who designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.A Christy Ottaviano Book
About the Author
It's a dream come true to be a children's book author! I studied literature and psychology at Stanford University and have had many jobs, ranging from being a roller coaster ride operator to an attorney and, most recently a middle school teacher of Language Arts and writing workshops. I am the author of numerous award-winning picture books for young readers. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area in California.My latest picture book, BOATS ON THE BAY (Cameron Company) , was inspired by my watching all the wonderful variety of boats on the San Francisco Bay.The beautifully illustrated book (by the talented Grady McFerrin) is an homage to the beautiful Bay Area, but with universal appeal to all boat lovers everywhere.I became fascinated with Romare Bearden's amazing collages when I was a docent at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art where I gave tours to school groups. I loosely based the text of MY HANDS SING THE BLUES: ROMARE BEARDEN'S CHILDHOOD JOURNEY (Marshall Cavendish/Two Lions Publishing) on the concept of blues music because Bearden's art and life were inspired by blues and jazz music during the Harlem Renaissance. Two of my other picture books, based on fascinating true stories of rescued marine mammals, are ASTRO THE STELLER SEA LION and HONEY GIRL THE HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL (Arbordale Publishing) . Rescued by Sausalito based Marine Mammal Center, Astro attached to people, including joining a school walk-a-thon! Quite the adventure! He now lives at the wonderful Mystic Aquarium. I've visited him, of course, and showed him the book. He seemed quite pleased!Hawaiian locals and visitors always enjoy spotting endangered Hawaiian one seals, but Honey Girl is an extra special case. She has raised seven pups, and scientists call her 'Super Mom.' My book tells her story of being injured by a fishhook. She is rescued and after veterinarians and scientists work to save her, she's released back to her beach. Visit me at www.jeanneharvey.com. I also feature other authors' picture book biographies on my blog, TRUE TALES & A CHERRY ON TOP, at http://jeannewalkerharvey.blogspot.com
