Zion, Gene

American author of children's books; best known for his "Harry the dog" books.

From the description of Jeffie's party : production material, [1957?]. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62494646

From the description of The meanest squirrel I ever met : production material, [1962?]. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62443806

From the description of Papers, 1956-1980 (bulk 1956-1965). (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62443801

From the description of Dear garbage man : production material, ca. 1956. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62451501

From the description of Harry by the sea : production material, ca. 1965-1972. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62494645

From the description of Harry and the lady next door : production material, ca. 1959-1960. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62443804

From the description of Dear garbage man : production material, ca. 1956. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 82447572

From the description of No roses for Harry : production material, [1957]. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62680650

From the description of The sugar mouse cake : production material, ca. 1961-1962. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62406077

From the description of The plant sitter : production material, [1959?]. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62494647

From the description of Harry the dirty dog : production material, [1956?]. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62680649

Gene [Eugene] Zion was born October 5, 1913 in New York, New York. He graduated from the Pratt Institute and worked for Esquire Publications and CBS, and worked as a free lance writer and designer from 1949 to 1975. Gene Zion published his first book, All Falling Down, in 1951. His wife Margaret Bloy Graham (married 1948, divorced in 1968) illustrated the book. Gene Zion and Margaret Bloy Graham collaborated on many works, including the popular Harry the Dog books beginning with Harry the Dirty Dog in 1956. Critics praised Gene Zion's "charming" texts and his unique talent for envisioning the "story through the eyes of a child." Gene Zion's depiction of Harry's personality was also noted by critics who called Harry "a timeless personality inviting warmth, involvement and understanding." Gene Zion's stories and characters dealt with some of the "universal" problems children encounter and readers emphasized with the characters' plights. His books were also notable for their zany humor especially The Plant Sitter (1959), whose plot critics called a "happy blend of unanswerable logic and wild improbability." Gene Zion died on December 5, 1975.

Biographical Sources: Something About the Author , vol. 18, pp. 305-307; Twentieth Century Children's Writers, 3rd ed., pp. 1079-1080.

From the guide to the Gene Zion Papers, 1956-1980, (University of Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research Collections [clrc])