Walt Morey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Walt Morey
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| Born | 3 February 1907 Hoquiam, Washington, USA |
| Died | 12 January 1992 (aged 84) Wilsonville, Oregon |
| Occupation | Author |
| Genre | Children's books, novels |
| Spouse | Rosalind Ogden (m. 1934 − 1977, her death) Peggy Kilburn (m. 1978) |
Walter "Walt" Morey (born February 3, 1907 – died January 12, 1992) was a famous author. He wrote many exciting books for kids. His stories often took place in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. and Alaska. These were places where Morey lived his whole life.
One of his most famous books is Gentle Ben. This book was made into a movie called Gentle Giant in 1967. It also became a TV show called Gentle Ben that ran from 1967 to 1969. Walt Morey wrote 17 books in total. Many of his stories are about the special bond between people and animals. They often feature survival adventures or characters finding themselves in the wild.
Contents
Walt Morey's Life and Writing Journey
Walt Morey started school in 1912 in Jasper, Oregon. He wasn't a big fan of school. In 1934, he began working in different jobs. He worked in a veneer plant and made brushes in a factory. He also did work in the woods.
On July 8, 1934, he married his first wife, Rosalind Ogden. They got married in Portland, Oregon. Rosalind passed away in 1977. Later, on June 26, 1978, he married Peggy Kilburn.
How Walt Morey Started Writing
Early in his career, Walt Morey wrote many short stories. These were often for magazines known as "pulp fiction." Besides being an author, he was also a boxer and a diver for much of his life.
Awards Walt Morey Won
Walt Morey received several awards for his books. These awards show how much his stories were loved.
- Dutton Animal Book Award for Gentle Ben and Kävik the Wolf Dog
- Sequoyah Book Award
- Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award
- The Monique Alexis Hoswoot Award
- William Allen White Children's Book Award
Books Written by Walt Morey
Here is a list of the books Walt Morey wrote:
- No Cheers, No Glory (1945)
- Gentle Ben (1965)
- Kävik the Wolf Dog (1968)
- Angry Waters (1969)
- Runaway Stallion (1970)
- Gloomy Gus (1970)
- Deep Trouble (1971)
- The Bear of Friday Creek (1971)
- Scrub Dog of Alaska (1971)
- Canyon Winter (1972)
- Home is the North (1973)
- Run Far, Run Fast (1974)
- Operation Blue Bear (1975)
- Year of the Black Pony (1976)
- Sandy and the Rock Star (1979)
- Hero (1980)
- The Lemon Meringue Dog (1980)
- Death Walk (1991)
Remembering Walt Morey
Walt Morey lived and wrote many of his books on his property in Wilsonville, Oregon. After he passed away, his wife sold the land. A new neighborhood was built there and named Morey's Landing.
Walt Morey Park and Gentle Ben
Morey's Landing also has a place called Walt Morey Park. This park has a bear theme. It features a large, 8-foot-tall wooden statue of Gentle Ben. This is the famous fictional bear from Morey's book. In 2012, the Gentle Ben statue was taken from the park. Luckily, it was found later and returned safely.
Other Tributes to Walt Morey
The Wilsonville Public Library also honors Walt Morey. They named their children's room the Walt Morey Children's Room. Inside, you can see a 3-foot-tall bronze statue of him. Sometimes, they also display other items that belonged to him. These include his typewriter and different editions of his books.
In 1998, the Reynolds School District in Troutdale, Oregon, opened Walt Morey Middle School. This school was named in his honor.
Images for kids
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Walt Morey, the author of Gentle Ben.
