About the Children’s Fiction Author

     Karen Jean Matsko Hood has always loved children and has always enjoyed reading. Therefore, it was only natural that she would eventually have a passion for writing children’s fiction books. She presents a unique combination of different themes and poetic formats. Her writing exhibits her voice of compassion and purpose. Hood is masterful at weaving a story to capture a child’s imagination and stir a deeper interest in reading.  

     Hood bases her books upon her knowledge and her own life experiences, and she writes about topics that children will enjoy. Her first successful children’s novel is Lost Medal, in which she incorporates her love of the stately Icelandic horses with her love for children.  Hood also writes about personal and spiritual themes on a level that children can understand.  She is working to complete two more children’s novels, Anna Arrives from Yugoslavia and a children’s fantasy novel titled Maji Terra.  She has completed a soothing bedtime story for children called Goodnight, Goodnight, I Wish You Goodnight and is currently working to complete two more.

     Hood was born and raised in Great Falls, Montana.  As an undergraduate, she attended the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota, and St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota.  She attended the University of Great Falls in Great Falls, Montana.  Hood received a B.S. Degree in Natural Science from the College of St. Benedict and minored in both Psychology and Secondary Education.  Upon her graduation, Hood and her husband taught science and math on the island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Hood has completed postgraduate classes at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa.  In May 2001, she completed her Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington.  She has taken postgraduate classes at Lewis and Clark College on the North Idaho college campus in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; through Taylor University in Fort Wayne, Indiana; University of Washington in Seattle, Washington; Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington; and Washington State University, in Pullman, Washington.  Hood is currently working on research projects to complete her Ph.D. in Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington.

     Hood resides in Greenacres, Washington, along with her husband, thirteen children, and foster children.  Her interests include writing, teaching, and volunteering as a court advocate in the juvenile court system for abused and neglected children.  Hood is a literary advocate for youth and adults.  Her hobbies include cooking, baking, photography, indoor and outdoor gardening, and the cultivation of unusual flowering plants and orchids.  She enjoys raising several specialty breeds of animals including Icelandic horses, bichon frises, cockapoos, Icelandic sheepdogs, and a few rescue cats.  Hood also enjoys bird-watching and finds all aspects of nature precious.  She demonstrates a passionate appreciation of the environment and a respect for all life.

     You may contact Ms. Hood

through the publisher’s office:

Karen Jean Matsko Hood

c/o Whispering Pine Press, Inc.

P.O. Box 1469

Spokane Valley, WA 99037-1469 USA

Phone: (509) 927-0404‌│Fax: (509) 927-1550

Website: www.karenjeanmatskohood.com

Email: Karen@karenjeanmatskohood.com

     You may order Ms. Hood’s other books including poetry, fiction, and nonfiction for adults and children, by requesting them from your local bookstore and local library.

 Featured Books of the Month

Goodnight, I Wish You Goodnight         Price $19.95

Children will adore Goodnight, I Wish You Goodnight, by author, Karen Jean Matsko Hood, in this easy-to-read bedtime story. Each one of the pages is wonderfully illustrated with warmth and love. Children will enjoy this book and all of the things they can think of, to say goodnight to, even before learning to read. As they memorize the words and look at the dazzling pictures, they will want to learn to read books by themselves. A must for all families to have in their library. Be sure a friend has one as a gift in theirs also. 40 pp., 8½ x 11 inches. Whispering Pine Press, Inc. © 2008.