Foster's Sunday Citizen, May 29, 2005
Raymond artist illustrates her first children's book

Neva Austrew, a local freelance illustrator from Raymond, understands the influence a children's book can have on a generation, and with the release of the book "Daddy's Girl", is happy to join the ranks of published illustrators that make their home in New Hampshire.

June 1 marks the release date of "Daddy's Girl", written by Breena Jacobs, illustrated by Austrew, and published by Bookworm Books. Jacobs is not only the author of "Daddy's Girl", but also the owner of Bookworm Books, and makes her home in Washington, DC.

"Daddy's Girl" is described in a press release as "a delightful story about a girl who loves spending time with her dad. When her mom leaves early for work, her dad spends he morning with her, and takes her to school where she looks forward to the fun things they will do when he picks her up."

"Daddy's Girl" is also a "playful story that celebrates the special bond so often found between a daughter and her father. The book's characters are realistic and the scenes reflect the everyday lives of many families.
"Neva's illustrations are vivid and playful, and a perfect complement to the author's rhyming text."

"I believe in this book," says Neva. "Breena wrote this story as a tribute to her daughters' positive relationship with their father, and I think that's an important thing for children to read about. I have always felt that being an illustrator holds a lot of responsibility, and I have tried to choose projects that reflect my own beliefs about respect, diversity, inter-cultural exchanges, and most importantly, love. 'Daddy's Girl' is the first children's book I have illustrated that will be published, and I am proud to be a part of it."

Neva attended Syracuse University's College of Visual and Performing Arts, which has one of the most notable illustration programs in the country. While at Syracuse University, Neva spent one semester living and studying in Florence, Italy.

After graduating from Syracuse University, Neva moved home to New Hampshire to begin her freelance business, which she named New Expressions of Visual Art (N.E.V.A.) Through her business, Neva has done an album cover for soul and blues singer Mighty Sam McClain, developed sketches and images for four large mobiles for a children's hospital in Honduras, as well as numerous other projects.