The book has been read by Betty White for Storyline Online and had several lessons plans created around the plot. Harry the Dirty Dog in particular often makes its way on to Best Book round-ups like School Library Journal's Top 100 Picture Books, where it takes slot place No. The entire Harry series holds a beloved place in children's literature and in children's literacy education. The series begin with Harry the Dirty Dog (1956) and followed by No Roses for Harry! (1958), Harry and the Lady Next Door (1960) and Harry By the Sea (1965). The husband-and-wife team became best known for a series of books about Harry, a playful and curious dog. When their marriage ended in 1968, Zion ended his writing career as well. They worked together on 13 books between 19. The scenes are in city or country, and the many moods so happily translated in to action are worth the long look.' Kirkus called it 'as fresh as the country air.' ĭuring their 14-year collaboration, Zion wrote the text of a children's picture book and Graham did all the illustrations. The New York Herald Tribune wrote 'It might seem oversimple were it not the pictures have such charm and offer so many details for further talk. The book received a Caldecott Honors for Margaret Bloy Graham's illustrations in 1952. Zion remembers that it was Graham's sketch of children gathering apples in an orchard, done several years earlier in Canada, that inspired his first book, All Falling Down (1951). Zion was urged by his new wife and also Ursula Nordstrom, to write children's books. Rey helped Graham refine her art portfolio and Margaret Rey introduced Graham's work to Ursula Nordstrom, the celebrated children's book editor at what was then Harper & Row. The couple made friends in the New York media scene, including Hans and Margret Rey, another husband-wife team responsible for the Curious George stories. They were married in July 1948 and divorced in 1968. Zion met his only wife Margaret Bloy Graham (1920–2015) at Condé Nast. īeginning in 1949, he worked as a freelance writer and designer until his death in 1975 at age 62. After the war, Zion landed at job at Columbia Broadcasting Company (CBS) and worked as an art designer from 1944 to 1946. In 1942, during World War II, Zion joined the Army and served in the Anti-aircraft Artillery Visual Training Aids Section, designing training manuals and filmstrips, from 1942 to 1944.

Following graduation, he worked for Condé Nast, Esquire Publications, and later CBS. Zion was educated at the New School of Social Research and the Pratt Institute. Zion attended elementary schools in rural areas of Ridgefield and Fort Lee, New Jersey. Gene (Eugene) Zion was born October 5, 1913, in New York City. Gene (Eugene) Zion (Octo– December 5, 1975) was an American author of picture books.

Gene zion