She began studying art as a child after earning a bachelor’s degree in art history from the University of Toronto, she started her career as a commercial artist in New York. The daughter of Malcolm Graham and the former Florence Bloy, Ms. Graham had a second Caldecott Honor Book the next year: “The Storm Book” (1952), written by Charlotte Zolotow. The couple’s non-Harry collaborations include “Really Spring,” named a best illustrated book of 1956 by The New York Times Book Review, and “All Falling Down” (1951), a Caldecott Honor Book, as the runners-up for the Caldecott Medal, presented annually by the American Library Association to the best illustrated book of the year, are known. Graham was best known for “Harry the Dirty Dog,” a cautionary ablutionary tale from 1956. Kids' Book Review said, 'Its timeless storyline, humour and sheer affection between the characters make the series an absolute delight for all ages.' Common Sense Media commented, 'Expressive illustrations with old-fashioned charm.' The book continues to be held in thousands of libraries worldwide.Ms. Kirkus Reviews called it 'Another funnybone tickling charmer'. Harry the Dirty Dog received positive reviews. Ten years later, in 1997, Weston Woods Studios released another film featuring this character, narrated by Bruce Bayley Johnson It was directed by Peter Matulavich and written by Gene Zion and Matulavich. In 1987, a live action short film based on the book was produced and released. Soon after, however, Harry hides the scrubbing brush under his bed. The family collectively gives the strange dog a bath, ultimately recognizing it to be Harry. His attempts to get his family to realize that it is him succeed only when he digs up the brush that he had earlier buried. When he returns home, Harry's family does not recognize him. Harry becomes very dirty after playing in the streets, at the railroad, and in the dog park to the extent that, covered in dirt, he becomes a black dog with white spots. Harry is a family dog with white fur and black spots who, disenchanted with taking baths, buries the bathtub scrubber and runs away from home. Based on a 2007 online poll, the National Education Association listed the book as one of its 'Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children.' The story also spawned an animated short, which was released in 1997.

Originally published in black and white in 1956 by Harper and Row, it was reprinted in 2002 with splashes of color added by the original artist. Harry the Dirty Dog is an American children's picture book written by Gene Zion and illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham.

Harry the dirty dog 1956