Gene Zion facts for kids

Gene Zion (born October 5, 1913 – died December 5, 1975) was an American writer famous for his picture books. He created many beloved stories, especially those about a playful dog named Harry.

Gene Zion's Early Life

Gene Zion was born on October 5, 1913, in New York City, New York. He went to elementary schools in New Jersey. Later, he studied at the New School of Social Research and the Pratt Institute.

After college, Zion worked for different companies like Condé Nast and CBS. During World War II, from 1942 to 1944, he joined the Army. He helped design training guides and filmstrips for soldiers. After the war, he worked as an art designer at CBS.

Starting in 1949, Gene Zion worked for himself as a writer and designer. He continued this work until he passed away in 1975 when he was 62 years old.

Creating Children's Books

Gene Zion met his wife, Margaret Bloy Graham (1920–2015), at Condé Nast. They got married in July 1948. They later divorced in 1968.

The couple became friends with other famous children's book creators, like Hans and Margret Rey, who wrote the Curious George stories. Margaret Rey helped Graham show her artwork to Ursula Nordstrom. Nordstrom was a well-known children's book editor at Harper & Row. Both Margaret and Ursula encouraged Gene Zion to start writing children's books.

Zion's first book, All Falling Down (1951), was inspired by a drawing his wife, Margaret, made of children picking apples. This book was special because Margaret Bloy Graham received a Caldecott Honor in 1952 for her amazing illustrations. Critics loved the pictures, saying they had "such charm" and offered "many details for further talk."

For 14 years, Gene Zion wrote the stories, and Margaret Bloy Graham drew all the pictures. They worked together on 13 books between 1951 and 1965. When their marriage ended in 1968, Gene Zion also stopped writing books.

The Harry the Dirty Dog Series

Gene Zion and Margaret Bloy Graham are best known for their books about Harry. Harry is a fun and curious dog. The series started with Harry the Dirty Dog (1956). Other books in the series include No Roses for Harry! (1958), Harry and the Lady Next Door (1960), and Harry By the Sea (1965).

The Harry books are very popular in children's literature. Harry the Dirty Dog is often listed as one of the best picture books ever. It even made it to number 43 on School Library Journal's Top 100 Picture Books list. Famous people like Betty White have read the book aloud. The stories were also often told on BBC pre-school shows in the United Kingdom, especially Play School.

Critics praised Gene Zion's writing, calling his stories "charming." They noted his special ability to see the world "through the eyes of a child." Harry's personality was also loved by critics, who called him "a timeless personality inviting warmth, involvement and understanding." Gene Zion's stories often dealt with common problems children face, and readers could easily relate to the characters. His books were also known for their funny humor, especially The Plant Sitter (1959).

In 2006, HarperCollins Publishers released a special 50th-anniversary edition of Harry the Dirty Dog.

In a book called The Essential Guide to Children's Books and Their Creators, Anita Silvey wrote that Gene Zion and Margaret Bloy Graham's unique talents in Dear Garbage Man (1957) helped open the door for other artists to create children's books.

Gene Zion passed away in New York City in 1975. His family later gave a collection of his work and letters to the University of Minnesota in 1979.

He published 13 books during his 14 years as a children's book author. One of them, All Falling Down, received a Caldecott Honor for its illustrations.

Gene Zion's Books

• Zion, G. (1951). All Falling Down. Harpercollins.
• Zion, G. (1954). Hide and Seek Day. Harpercollins.
• Zion, G. (1955). The Summer Snowman. Harpercollins.
• Zion, G. (1956). Harry the Dirty Dog. HarperCollins.
• Zion, G. (1956). Really Spring. Harpercollins.
• Zion, G. (1957). Dear Garbage Man. Harpercollins.
• Zion, G. (1957). Jeffie's Party. Harpercollins.
• Zion, G. (1958). No Roses for Harry!. Harpercollins.
• Zion, G. (1959). The Plant Sitter. Harpercollins.
• Zion, G. (1960). Harry and the Lady Next Door. Harpercollins.
• Zion, G. (1962). The Meanest Squirrel I Ever Met. Scribners.
• Zion, G. (1965). Harry by the Sea. Harpercollins.
• Zion, G (1964). The Sugar Mouse Cake.