Mary Neville

The following article appeared in the "Upper Dauphin Sentinal" (Millersburg, Pennsylvania) on March 1, 1994:

"Book Illustrator to Speak at Art Association Meeting.

"MILLERSBURG - Children's book illustrator Megan Lloyd, a Carlisle resident, will present the program for the Thursday, March 10 meeting of the Millersburg Area Art Association.

"Her presentation will include a slide show and she ill talk about her books and book illustrations, especially the book for which her inspiration came from the Ruch children of Gratz. She first met the Gratz models while visiting the Upper Dauphin Area Elementary School a few years ago to explain to the children how books are illustrated. She presented one of her watercolors to each classroom and autographed 550 boks which the PTO had bought for the children.

"She was impressed by Victor Ruch's red hair and freckles and when she received the book "The Christmas Tree Ride" to illustrate, the young boy from Gratz immediately came to her find, a spokesman said. She traveled to Gratz and took photographs of the boy and the rest of the family from which she could work. The book was written by Mary Neville, a retired school teacher from Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and is one of about 20 books that Megan Lloyd has illustrated..."

The news article was accompanied by a photograph of the Ruch family and Megan Lloyd.

The library copy is autographed by Megan Lloyd, "For the Gratz Historical Society, best wishes," and is also signed by "The Ruch Boys," Victor, Eddie and Sean.… (meer)