Authors Matthew & Jeanette
Photo by Sarah McEneany July 2005

Book Signing w/ Jeanette & Matthew
Photo by Martin Mercen July 2006

MATTHEW LANCELLE is an thirteen-year-old with autism. He likes to express himself through his artwork, and some of his favorite subjects are monsters and sea creatures. Matthew is also a photographer, who loves to read and look at picture books. He also likes chess, swimming, video games, watching movies and hanging out with his Mom Cindy, Dad Steve, sisters Elizabeth and Maggie, and brother David. Matthew says “Making stories is fun!” Matthew attends Whitefish Bay Middle School in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin.

JEANETTE LESADA met Matthew in 2001 through the Wisconsin Early Autism Project. Despite funding cuts, Jeanette volunteers to visit Matthew every Sunday for art therapy. Jeanette says “I try to encourage recycling positive thoughts. Many of our drawings come from real life, where we take a less-than-great situation and turn it into a positive one for next time.” 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 Jake, an independent filmmaker and classic car painter in Shorewood, Wisconsin.