Graham, Margaret Bloy (1920-2015), was a Canadian-born illustrator and author of children’s books. Graham became best known for books she illustrated about a frisky and affectionate dog named Harry. The “Harry” books were written by Gene Zion, her husband. Harry first appeared in Harry the Dirty Dog (1956), followed by No Roses for Harry! (1958), Harry and the Lady Next Door (1960), and Harry by the Sea (1965).
Graham was born on Nov. 2, 1920, in Toronto, Canada. She earned a B.A. degree in art history from the University of Toronto in 1943. She then moved to New York City, studying at the Art Students League of New York, New York University, and the New School for Social Research (now The New School). Graham remained in New York City to become a commercial artist. She worked in the art department of Condé Nast Publications from 1946 to 1956. She met Gene Zion at Condé Nast, and they were married in 1948. Graham illustrated Zion’s first book, All Falling Down (1951). The couple divorced in 1968.
Graham began a career as a children’s author with Be Nice to Spiders (1967), which she also illustrated. She created her own dog character, Benjy, in several books beginning with Benjy and the Barking Bird (1971). Graham later illustrated such books as The Pack Rat’s Day and Other Poems (1974), written by the American children’s poet Jack Prelutsky, and What If? (1987) and It’s Spring! (1989) by the American author Else Holmelund Minarik. Graham died on Jan. 22, 2015.
