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Lillian Hoban 1925-1998
-- 8/3/98
Author-illustrator Lillian Hoban, perhaps best known for the endearing drawings she contributed to the Frances stories written by her husband Russell Hoban, died of heart failure on July 17. She was 73.
Born in Philadelphia, Hoban enjoyed a childhood steeped in the arts. After attending the Philadelphia Museum School of Art on a scholarship, she studied dance with Martha Graham, taught modern dance and danced professionally on television in the 1950s.

Beginning her career as an illustrator in 1961 with Herman the Loser (Harper), Hoban began writing stories when she had her own children. She illustrated over 100 books during her career. Among the many authors with whom she collaborated are Meindert DeJong, Miriam Cohen, Johanna Hurwitz and Tony Johnston.

Hoban dealt with childhood traumas and everyday dilemmas with candor and humor, in such books as the Arthur I Can Read Books (HarperCollins), which Hoban both wrote and illustrated. The first book in the series, Arthur's Christmas Cookies, was published in 1972, and the last, Arthur's Birthday Party, is slated for early 1999. A memorial service for Hoban will be held in October at the National Arts Club in New York City.
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