Calendar of Events March 22, 2010 St. Joseph’s Catholic School School Visit ~ March 23, 2010 School Visit Grace Episcopal Day School ~ May 1, 2010 Young Writers’ Workshop Jacksonville Country Day School ~   Thank you for checking out the calendar of events. Karen looks forward to meeting many of you and sharing her book with your children.

 

In the News

Midnight has learned more lessons since her first published book in 2006. She's learned to cooperate in "Midnight the Cow Learns about Cooperation" and she's learned to tell the truth in "Midnight the Cow Learns about Honesty," which will be published later this year.

The adorable stories, starring Midnight the Cow, Sheldon the Goat, Premier the Wise Pony, Laney the Chicken and others, offer lessons in good character to young children. Putzke, a wife, mother and educator, has a master's degree in education and specializes in educating students with learning disabilities, developmental delays, and other special needs. She has taught in school settings and in private tutoring settings. She has worked in partnership with many students, parents, and other educators to facilitate students' academic success and to improve their self-confidence. While working as an education specialist at Hope Haven Children's Clinic and Family Center in Jacksonville, she met the illustrator of her book, Lara Lombardo.

Lombardo was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2. She has endured a lifetime of treatment and therapies and has overcome many hurdles. She uses art as a 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. Karen recognized Lara's whimsical drawings as a perfect match for her children's book project.

The two plan to continue the book series with possibly three more titles. Karen conducts school visits and holds book signings at local bookstores.

A portion of the book proceeds go to the HEAL! Foundation (Healing Every Autistic Life). Go to www.midnightthecow.com for information about the book series or call Putzke at 955-2385.

September 2008

Hickory Creek Elementary School
Mrs. Boyd’s Banner (September, 2008)
The 25 Book Campaign is Off and Running!

This week local author Karen Putkze sent a special message to the students of Hickory Creek during the School Wide 25 Book Campaign Kick-Off. Mrs. Putkze shared her passion for reading, inspired students to create their own stories, and led our Hawks in song. Several fifth grade students performed her book, Midnight the Cow Learns About Cooperation. The students’ impressive performance and astonishing talent delighted the audience. Hickory Creek would like to send a special thank you to Mrs. Putkze for graciously volunteering her time. Hickory Creek is truly blessed by a loving and generous community. In addition, special thanks go to Jillian, Brandon, Hannah, Tyler, and Lindsey for their reenactment of Mrs. Putkze’s book.

June 18, 2008

Midnight The Cow Learns About Cooperation on HorsesintheSouth.com

July 26, 2008

Karen & Lara attended the 2nd annual HEAL! Valley of Dreams Gala, held at TPC Sawgrass on July 26th. The HEAL! Foundation purchased copies of Karen’s 2nd book, Midnight the Cow Learns about Cooperation, to give as gifts to attendees. Both Karen & Lara were on hand to personalize books to the Gala’s guests, including celebrity guests, Jenny McCarthy, and Joey Travolta. Last year’s event raised nearly $400,000, enabling HEAL to contribute over $280,000 toward grants and programs aimed at assisting hundreds of individuals with autism (Click here to view the HEAL grants made in the last 12 months).

HEAL! is developing a community that is dedicated to medical research, treatment and education of individuals, community awareness, and, ultimately, prevention of autism spectrum disorders. Karen donates a portion of her profits to the HEAL! Foundation. To read more about the HEAL! Foundation, click here.

Dec. 3, 2007

Written by: Katherine T. Pullen for “The Northeaster Publication.”

“Lara is really an interesting person. I’ve never had someone in my class who has done something like this,” teacher Amy M. expressed enthusiastically. Lara Lombardo, a high school exceptional education student (ESE), is the published children’s book illustrator of the “Midnight the Cow” series. The first book in the series, Midnight the Cow Learns about Sharing, is on the shelves now. “I’m really proud of this book,” Lara declares. “I think the book is great.”

For Lara, pictures have always expressed a thousand words. Her drawings convey what lies within her heart far more than her words can. At the age of two, Lara was diagnosed with autism. Without letting her disability hold her back, she has discovered new forms of communication and self-expression. Through art Lara has found a way to let people catch a glimpse at the blossoming woman inside. Her capricious artwork in the Midnight the Cow book has brought joy to countless children and helped them to realize the meaning of character and moral values. The first Midnight book focuses on the importance of sharing. Young children can discover this value with Midnight the Cow and her barnyard friends.

Lara Lombardo’s illustrations bring a certain character to the book that attracts young readers. A child picks up the book and thinks, “I can do that.” That is what makes Lara’s illustrations so extraordinary. The innocence and candor of her drawings make the book an accessible choice for her young audience. Since the book was released, Lara and the author, Karen Putzke, have been busy attending book signings and promotions, in addition to appearances at fundraising events for the HEAL Foundation and the Autism Society of Greater Jacksonville. They also read regularly at Barnes & Noble’s story time for toddlers. Lara’s next book signing is scheduled for December 8 at 5:00 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble of St. John’s Town Center. Their signings and story times are fun events featuring crafts and activities for kids and occasional live performances of the book Midnight the Cow Learns about Sharing. Ms. Amy, Lara’s English teacher, couldn’t be more thrilled. “I was so excited when the book came out that I drove out to the book singing. I was proud to tell people that I was her teacher. I couldn’t tell them I was her art teacher, but I’m still her teacher!”

Since the first Midnight the Cow book, Lara has been working on the second in the series which is entitled, Midnight the Cow Learns about Cooperation. The book is tentatively scheduled for release in February. “It’s an interesting story because Midnight the Cow is at the county fair. There are new characters in the book also,” Lara discloses. She is also currently working on illustrating a book about Hurricane Katrina, written by a different author. “The day the hurricane hits is the main character’s first birthday,” says Lara. This book is also scheduled to be on the shelves sometime after the first of the year.

It is astonishing to see what a high school student is able to accomplish with talent and plenty of hard work. Lara’s high school is proud to have an extraordinary student like Lara Lombardo. She is an encouragement and a reminder that whatever we reach high enough for, we can attain.

October 13, 2007 - Mandarin Sun

"With her big cowbell swinging from side to side, Midnight the Cow stepped carefully among the dozen or so children seated on the floor in front of her bale of hay"... read the full article here.

July 10, 2007 - World Golf Village Article

Midnight the Cow – perhaps you have seen her in the cow pastures when driving down International Golf Parkway or maybe you think she’s the cousin of Chik-Fil-A’s mascot. Karen Putzke has a different idea. Midnight the Cow is the main character of her new children’s book, Midnight the Cow Learns About Sharing. Karen describes the book as the first in a series where Midnight and his barnyard friends learn lessons about good character. The Midnight tales developed from continuous requests for bedtime stories from her young daughter. Her upcoming book, Midnight the Cow Learns About Perseverance should be ready for the publisher by late summer. Karen, a native of Jacksonville, now lives in the World Golf Village area. She, along with her husband, Brian, and their daughter, Kayla, share their acreage with five horses, two dogs, two pet cats, several barn cats, a bunny, a guinea pig and a couple hundred catfish. But no cow.

Karen has not always been an author; in fact, writing children’s books is a new endeavor for her. She has been an office administrator, a certified teacher, and an education specialist at Hope Haven Children’s Clinic and Family Center in Jacksonville. She tutors students as well; which is how she met the illustrator of her book, Lara Lombardo. Lara is a local teenager who was diagnosed with autism at the young age of two. Autism is a neurobiological condition that affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism affects individuals differently and to varying degrees of severity. Lara was receiving tutoring services at Hope Haven when her tutor happened to show Karen some of her drawings. While Lara can talk and communicate, her speech and language skills are very impaired, and she depends on other outlets for expression. Her artwork serves as one of these outlets. The colors she uses are bright and her perspective is unique and innocent. Karen felt that Lara’s drawings would appeal to young children. Lara happily accepted the assignment and has since received other offers to illustrate children’s books. Her mother, Carol Lombardo, has expressed that illustrating the book has given Lara a boost in confidence and new goals for future undertakings.

Barnes & Noble Music Literacy Festival book performers with the Com. Relations Mgr., Karen & Lara.

Karen will be the featured children’s author at the Barnes & Noble’s Music Literacy Festival on May 14th. The weeklong event is presented by Barnes & Noble at St. Johns Town Center, 10280 Midtown Parkway in Jacksonville. The festival benefits the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra Scholarship Fund and the RALLY! Jax Book Drive. The Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra musicians will be performing nightly in conjunction with special celebrity guests and author appearances.

Present this article at any register for a Festival Ticket which will ensure that a percentage of the net sales will be donated to the JSYO Scholarship Fund. Or email Barnes & Noble at crm2214@bn.com or the JSYO at jsyo@jaxsymphony.org for printable tickets. Karen and Lara will be available for signing purchased Midnight the Cow books. Children will also be able to participate in fun activities. Support a neighborhood author by attending this event.

Karen & Lara at the HEAL! Gala. Photo from the Saint Augustine Record, July 7, 2007

   July 8, 2007 - HEAL Gala

Karen Putzke and Lara Lombardo were among the 400 plus guests at the first-ever HEAL (Heal Every Autistic Life) gala fundraising event on June 28 at the new TPC Sawgrass Mediterranean Revival Clubhouse in Ponte Vedra Beach. The author and illustrator, respectively, of a new children's book titled "Midnight the Cow Learns About Sharing," Putzke and Lombardo met at Hope Haven Children's Clinic, where Putzke is an education specialist and Lombardo is a client. Diagnosed with autism at age 2, Lombardo is now a teen who has made strides toward recovery.

The book, signed by the author and illustrator, was just one of the special features that helped the HEAL Gala raise nearly $400,000 for the foundation's current services to children whose families cannot afford the high costs associated with autism. The funds will also help with the construction of HEAL House, a center that provides treatment, resources and educational programs.

Karen & Lara pictured with actress/author Jenny McCarthy at the HEAL! Gala, held June 28, 2007

Meet Putzke and Lombardo at Family Christian Stores, Regency Court, 723-3662, at 10 a.m. Tuesday. A portion of their book's sales will be donated to the HEAL Foundation (www.healautismnow.org).

 

 

 

   Events Photo Gallery

Dec 8, 2007 - Live performance of Midnight the Cow Learns About Sharing, at Barnes & Noble.
	Pictured from left to right are Michelle Castanos (Sheldon the Goat), Lara Lombardo, Kayla Putzke (Betty the Pot-Bellied Pig), Lizzie Baer (Midnight the Cow) and Karen Putzke.
Oct 2007 - Karen recently visited a school in St. Johns County, Florida. She spoke to four 4th grade classes and shared information on being an author, the writing process, publishing and marketing the Midnight the Cow series. The students played a speed game to see how quickly they could work together to find the correct term for “book” definitions. The fourth graders loved to hear Midnight the Cow Learns about Sharing being read to them!
Sept 22 - Live performance of Midnight the Cow Learns About Sharing, at the Mandarin Village Barnes & Noble. Midnight the Cow was played by Lizzie Baer and Sheldon the Goat was played by Kylie White, both local high school students. Betty the Pot-Bellied pig was played by Kayla Putzke.
	Karen & Lara at the Autism Family Fun Day sponsored by CARD (University of Florida) and the Autism Society of Greater Jacksonville.

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