Maya’s journey as an artist-architect began as a child. Growing up with an artist father and poet mother, Maya loved to observe nature, create tiny buildings out of paper, and play chess with her brother. Inspired by buildings both at her college and overseas, Maya imagined that she herself would one day become an architect. When 21-year-old Chinese American Maya’s design for a Vietnam War memorial was chosen as the winner of a highly competitive contest, the judges and nation alike were “shocked.” Maya bravely stood up to their criticism and opposition and saw her Vietnam Veterans Memorial through to completion. The rest, of course, is living history. But Maya’s career has continued. This work showcases the thoughtfulness and brilliance with which Maya approached not only the memorial, but all of her works, which invite people to “Look. Touch. Read. Walk around. Sit by. Think about.” (Ages 4-9)

The bold story of Maya Lin, the visionary artist-architect who designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

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