Bleeker, Sonia.

Sonia Bleeker was born in 1909 in Starchevievhi, Russia. She attended Hunter College, Columbia University, and received a doctorate in 1967 from Beloit College. She married editor and author Herbert Zim in 1934; they traveled around the world together and both wrote about anthropology.

Sonia Bleeker was born in White Russia, received her education at Hunter College and Columbia University, and worked as an editor for Simon & Schuster before becoming a writer of books for young people.

Author.

Sonia Bleeker was born on November 28, 1909, in Starchevicvhi, Russia. She graduated from Hunter College in 1933, and did graduate work in anthropology at Columbia University. In 1934, she married author and editor Herbert S. Zim. From 1931-1946 she was an editor for Simon and Schuster in New York. Her interest in anthropology led her and her husband all over the world and they spent much of their lives traveling in Africa, Europe and North and South America, taking notes.

And doing research for her books. She wrote many anthropology books for young adults about Native Americans, pre-Columbian cultures, and various African tribes. In 1967, she received a Doctor of Science degree from Beloit College. She and her husband collaborated on her final book, Life and Death (1970), which examines the rituals of aging, death, and burial among various peoples. Bleeker died in 1971.

Herbert Spencer Zim (July 12, 1909-December 5, 1994) was a teacher and writer of children’s books on science. He was born to Marco and Minnie (Orlo) Zim in New York City, New York. He married Sonia Bleeker on January 6, 1934. They had two sons-Aldwin H. and Roger S. and then after the death of Sonia in 1971, Zim married Grace K. Showe on June 4, 1978. Zim died in Plantation Key, Florida.

Herbert Zim was educated at City College (now City College of the City University of New York) from 1927-1929, and then attended Columbia University where he received a B.S. in 1933, a M.A. in 1934, and a Ph. D. in 1940.

His hobbies and interests included fishing, gardening and traveling. He was a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, American Institute of Biological Sciences, American Association for the Advancement of Science (fellow), American Nature Study Society (director from 1968-1970), National Science Teacher’s Association, National Association for Research in Science Teaching, National Association of Biology Teachers, Union of Concerned Scientists, Authors Guild, Authors League of America, Audubon Society, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Nature Conservancy, Isaac Walton League, Western Society of Naturalists, Pacific Science Association, Everglades Natural History Association and Sierra Club.

During his career Zim was an instructor of science at Ethical Culture Schools in New York City, New York from 1932-1950, developed first elementary science laboratories from 1934-1936, and was the head of the department of science from 1937-1945. Zim was an associate professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign from 1950-1954 and then a professor of education (science) from 1954-1957. He was a full time writer and editor on science subjects and consultant from 1957 on. From 1934-1937 Zim was conductor of study of science interests of adolescents. At Columbia University he was and instructor for the summers of 1935 and 1936 and conductor of summer field trips through North America from 1937-1941. Following that Zim was an educational director at the Artists and Writers Press from 1957-1969. Zim was also an adjunct professor of education at the University of Miami in Miami Florida beginning in 1968. Zim was a member of the steering committee for Biological Sciences Curriculum Study, and participant in an Elementary Science Study. He was an educational consultant for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from 1947-1951, for the Western Publishing Company from 1967-1970 and American Friends Service Committee from 1968-1975. Zim was also an editorial consultant for Physical Science Study. Zim served as conscientious objector working on Pre-induction Training Program, U.S. War Department from 1942-1943 and also was in the Civilian Public Service from 1943-1945.

Sonia Bleeker (November 28, 1909-November 13, 1971) was born in Starchevicvih, Russia to Ivan and Yedlia Bleeker.

Bleeker received her education at Hunter College (now Hunter College of the City University of New York), where she received her B.A. in 1933. She then went to Columbia University where she did graduate study in anthropology.

Bleeker was a member of the American Anthropological Association and Delta Kappa Gamma (as an honorary member).

During her career Bleeker was an editor for Simon & Schuster, Inc. in New York City, New York from 1931-1946. Then she was a full time writer of youth books from 1950-1971.

Source: Contemporary Authors Online, Gale, 2003.

Sonia Bleeker was born in 1909 in Starchevichi, Russia. She received her BA at Hunter College in 1933 and did graduate study in anthropology at Columbia University. She was awarded a Doctor of Science degree from Beloit College in 1967.

Bleeker married children's book author Herbert Zim in 1934 and was an editor at Simon and Schuster from 1931-1946. She was known for writing anthropology books for young adults about Native Americans, pre-Columbian cultures, and various African tribes and traveled widely to assemble background on her books. Sonia Bleeker died in 1971.

Biographical Sources: Something About the Author, v. 2, p. 30, v. 26, p.37.