Zion, Gene (1913-1975), was an American author of children’s books. Zion became best known for picture books he wrote about a frisky and affectionate dog named Harry. All of Zion’s books were illustrated by his wife, Margaret Bloy Graham. 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).
Eugene Zion was born on Oct. 5, 1913, in New York City, New York. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II (1939-1945), in the Antiaircraft Artillery Visual Training Aids Section, where he designed training manuals and filmstrips from 1942 to 1944. He attended the New School of Social Research (now the New School) and later graduated from the Pratt Institute, both in New York City. Zion met Graham while he was art director at the magazine publishing company Condé Nast. They were married in 1948. Graham began collaborating with Zion on his first book, All Falling Down, released in 1951.
Zion’s other books include Hide and Seek Day (1954), The Summer Snowman (1955), Really Spring (1956), Jeffie’s Party and Dear Garbage Man (both 1957), The Plant Sitter (1959), The Meanest Squirrel I Ever Met (1962), and The Sugar Mouse Cake (1964). Zion and Graham divorced in 1968. Zion also worked for Esquire Publications and the media company CBS Corporation, and as a free-lance writer and designer from 1949 to 1975. He died on Dec. 5, 1975.
