Meet
the Illustrator
Lara
Lombardo was diagnosed with autism at the
age of 2. Having endured a childhood full of
therapies and treatments, she can now talk
and communicate, but her speech and language
skills are still impaired. However, Lara has
always loved to draw, and since the
beginning, art has been her primary means of
expression. Unlike words, visual language
never fails her and her drawings are a
window into her soul, showing her positive
outlook on the world.
The author, Karen Putzke, recognized Lara’s whimsical drawings
as a perfect match for her children’s book
project. Being a special educator as well as
an author, Mrs. Putzke was very supportive
of Lara’s artwork. The pictures Lara drew
for Midnight the Cow Learns About Sharing
are ideal for this engaging story, because
they possess a naiveté that captures the
imaginations of a young audience.
The book
has been well received by young and old
alike. Lara has been offered other
illustration projects, and is continuing the
series for Mrs. Putzke. But most important
is the confidence Lara has gained from this
wonderful opportunity. She’s really proud of
her achievements, and very motivated to work
in this field, one in which she can excel if
encouraged by others like Mrs. Putzke and
the
HEAL Foundation, who value Lara’s
artistic abilities.
