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Walt Morey

ウォルト・モーリー

Uoruto Mōrī

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1907-02-03 （Hoquiam, Washington, USA）
Died
1992-01-12 （Wilsonville, Oregon, USA） age 84
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Pacific Northwest (lived there for much of his life) → Alaska (setting for several works / residence periods) → Wilsonville, Oregon (later residence)

Career

Occupations
Author, Boxer, Diver, Factory worker
Active Years
1939-1991

Awards

Dutton Animal Book Award
Work: Gentle Ben / Kavik the Wolf Dog
Organization: Dutton (publisher)
Result: 受賞
Sequoyah Book Award
Organization: Sequoyah committee (Oklahoma)
Result: 受賞
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award
Organization: Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award committee
Result: 受賞
William Allen White Children's Book Award
Organization: William Allen White Award committee
Result: 受賞
The Monique Alexis Hoswoot Award
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Gentle Ben

1965 Children's literature / Animal fiction

Set in Alaska, the story depicts the friendship and trust between a boy and a bear. Themes center on survival in nature and human-animal relationships.

Human-animal bondNature and self-discoveryRedemption
Adaptations
  • [Film] Gentle Giant (film) (1967)
  • [TV series] Gentle Ben (1967)

Kavik the Wolf Dog

1968 Children's literature / Adventure

A story about adventure and bonds surrounding an orphan and a dog; depicts survival in the wilderness and mutual trust between people and animals.

SurvivalTrustAdventure

Runaway Stallion

1970 Children's literature / Horse story

Centers on a boy and a runaway stallion; explores interaction with the wild and personal growth.

Coming of ageCoexistence with nature

Year of the Black Pony

1976 Children's literature

A tale about a youth and a black pony; the protagonist matures through his relationship with the animal.

GrowthResponsibilityBond with animals

Bibliography

  • No Cheers, No Glory (1945)
  • Gentle Ben (1965)
  • North to Danger (1967)
  • Kavik the Wolf Dog (1968)
  • Angry Waters (1969)
  • Runaway Stallion (1970)
  • Gloomy Gus (1970)
  • Deep Trouble (1971)
  • The Bear of Friday Creek (1971)
  • Scrub Dog of Alaska (1971)
  • Canyon Winter (1972)
  • Home is the North (1973)
  • Run Far, Run Fast (1974)
  • Operation Blue Bear (1975)
  • Year of the Black Pony (1976)
  • Sandy and the Rock Star (1979)
  • Hero (1980)
  • The Lemon Meringue Dog (1980)
  • Death Walk (1991)

Adaptations

  • Gentle Ben (film and TV series)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Realistic, descriptively detailed children's narrativesStrong emphasis on nature and animal depiction
Recurring Motifs
Friendship between humans and animalsSelf-discovery in natureSurvival and redemption

Legacy

Walt Morey is known for animal-centered children's stories; his best-known work, Gentle Ben, was adapted for film and television and remains popular. Memorials in Wilsonville include a park, library displays, and a school bearing his name.

Museums

  • Wilsonville Public Library (Walt Morey Children's Room) Wilsonville, Oregon, USA

Archives

  • Walter Nelson Morey papers (1939–1990), University of Oregon

In Popular Culture

  • Widespread recognition from the TV series 'Gentle Ben'
  • Walt Morey Park and statue in Wilsonville

Trivia

  • Morey's Landing development in Wilsonville includes Walt Morey Park.
  • The Gentle Ben statue in the park was stolen in 2012 but later found and returned.
  • Walt Morey Middle School opened in the Reynolds School District (Troutdale) in 1998.