Harvey Weiss was an illustrator and author of children's books. His works include the eleven-volume "Beginning Artists Library" series, including titles such as Clay, Wood, and Wire: A How-to-Do-It Book of Sculpture (1956), Pencil, Pen and Brush Drawings for Beginners (1961), and Ceramics: From Clay to Kiln (1966). His other books include How to Be an Inventor (1980), Machines and How They Work (1983), and Maps: Getting From Here to There (1991). He also illustrated books by Miriam Schlein, to whom he was once married, and Joan M. Lexau, among other authors.

Weiss was a noted sculptor, and his sculptures form part of many private and public collections. He was also a professor of sculpture at Adelphi University.