Sundays with Matthew: A Young Boy with Autism and an Artist Share Their Sketchbooks [Hardcover]

Matthew Lancelle; Jeanette Lesada (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 31, 2006

Sundays with Matthew: A Young Boy with Autism and an Artist Share Their Sketchbooks by Matthew Lancelle and Jeanette Lesada is a positive and encouraging example of a special relationship between two artists sharing a passion for art and life. Since many children and youth with autism have well-defined special interests, it is valuable to determine what those interests are and find ways to use them to reinforce appropriate behavior. Sundays with Matthew demonstrates that using a special interest and talent is a proven way to help a child reach his full potential. Jeanette’s sketchbook tips at the end of the book will inspire others to engage in similar ventures. Jeanette met Matthew through the Wisconsin Early Autism Program (WEAP) in Milwaukee. WEAP underwent funding cuts and Jeanette was laid off the payroll; however, she decided to stay on with Matthew once a week—on Sundays. Now free from guidelines, Jeanette started her own program with Matthew. They began to sketch in order to “talk” about topics, including emotions, behavior, likes and dislikes. She utilized Matthew’s favorite things, such as monsters and sea creatures, to capture his attention and interest. According to Jeanette: “Matthew went from being a child who hardly sat still for more than two minutes, to a child who can now sit still for long periods of time drawing. Pictures of stick figures with eyeballs taught Matthew to look at people’s eyes, and now he stares me down. Instead of reciting things to me he has memorized, Matthew asks me questions about things that are on his mind. Matthew reads full pages aloud from Harry Potter, and he feels like he can ask me deep questions and get straight answers. I have watched Matthew blossom into an incredibly chatty, inquisitive twelve-year-old, and our time together always flies by with hardly a behavioral incident. Matthew still has his difficult days, and there are still things we are working on, but Sundays with Matthew is something he is proud of, something that not even the ‘regular kids’ get done every day.” Sundays with Matthew includes illustrations from both Matthew and Jeanette. Their shared interest in drawing has led to a friendship that will inspire others to look for commonalities instead of differences in people. The relationship between Jeanette and Matthew portrayed in this unique book is sure to warm hearts.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This story is a must-have for every elementary school! It teaches kids to accept each other and embrace individuality. --Tara Tuchel, M.S., CCC-SLP, author of "My Best Friend Will"

An intriguing glance into the mind of a child with autism as he perceives and explores the world around him. --Jill Hudson, author of "Cabins, Canoes and Campfires: Guidelines for Establishing a Camp for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders"

Talking with Matthew is intriguing, often eye-opening. I envy the time Jeanette spent with Matthew on this remarkable book. --Glen O. Sallows, Ph.D., president and co-founder of the Wisconsin Early Autism Project

About the Author

Matthew Lancelle is an eleven-year-old with autism who likes to express himself through his artwork. Some of his favorite subjects to illustrate are monsters and sea creatures. Matthew is also a photographer who loves to read and look at picture books. He likes chess, swimming, video games, watching movies, and hanging out with his mom and dad, two sisters, and brother. He attends middle school in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. Jeanette Lesada met Matthew in 2001 through WEAP and volunteers to visit Matthew every Sunday for art therapy. Jeanette has earned her B.F.A., has owned her own photography business, and is also a writer, Reiki master, and musician. She lives with her husband in Shorewood, Wisconsin.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 37 pages
• Publisher: Autism Asperger Publishing Company; 1 edition (March 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931282846
• ISBN-13: 978-1931282840
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,000,514 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational, April 13, 2006

By 

Copper Cavalier (Misawa, Japan) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Sundays with Matthew: A Young Boy with Autism and an Artist Share Their Sketchbooks (Hardcover)

As an educator I have worked with several autistic students over the years and this book is a perfect model for what can be accomplished by these talented children with a little guidance. The book is an inspiration for all those working the field of education as it helps us imagine the possibilties for success that all exceptional learners possess. I read this book to my class and we came up with the idea of "response journaling" through art and text as a classroom project to issues we face daily and throughout the year. This book has given my class the motivation to create similar products. The book is well done and would be a welcome addition to any classroom library, especially if the class includes an autistic student. This book will help the other students in class more clearly understand autism and some issues that surround it. Great read-aloud.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book is Outstanding, April 25, 2006

By 

D. Przybyla "Fine Artist" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sundays with Matthew: A Young Boy with Autism and an Artist Share Their Sketchbooks (Hardcover)

Not only is this book full of delightfully entertaining drawings, it's also bursting with gems of wisdom about relationships and life in general. The perspective of an autistic child adds a poignant message about what truly matters in life. The Sketchbook Tips at the end of the book can be used by anyone who wants to start drawing but isn't sure how. "Sundays with Matthew" is a wonderful read for kids and adults of any age. It should be required reading in any school that has autistic students. I highly recommend it!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Art as an autistic therapy, March 28, 2006

By 

M. Mercen (Davie, FL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sundays with Matthew: A Young Boy with Autism and an Artist Share Their Sketchbooks (Hardcover)

Communicating with an autistic child is often a challenge, but this author has found a way for Matthew to express his feelings and emotions through artwork. This is an interesting insight into a way to develop rapport plus provide a measure of self esteem with a challenging child. The artwork is delightful. This book would be a good read for any child and has good tips for any parent of an autistic child.