Hood reminds us of the importance of our links with nature and environment in our daily lives. Her writing carries the urgency and outrage of the current social injustice and inequality. The recurring theme in Hood’s work is to provide a voice for those whose struggle cannot be heard. Hood has always loved children and is devoted to the needs of children. It is only natural that she would channel her efforts to include children’s books and poetry. Hood’s writing brings poignancy to the most hopeless of situations. She is romantic in her vision for a quest for dignity and social justice.

     Hood also writes about personal and spiritual themes. She is passionate both as a feminist and as an active children’s rights advocate. Hood also works to encourage literacy for all ages. Her blend of traditionalism and modernism brings a current freshness and uniqueness to her own poetic voice. She is versatile in her writing style and is able to incorporate a wide range of themes and topics. Her poems have been published in a myriad of magazines and publications.

     Ms. Hood was born and raised in Great Falls, Montana. As an undergraduate college student she attended the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota and St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. She also attended the University of Great Falls in Montana. She received a B.S. Degree in Natural Science from the College of St. Benedict, with minors in both Psychology and Secondary Education. After graduating, she and her husband taught science and math on the island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Ms. Hood also completed postgraduate coursework at the University of Iowa. In May 2001 she was awarded her Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. She has also taken post-graduate courses at Lewis and Clark College on the North Idaho College campus in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. Ms. Hood is currently engaged in research work toward her Ph.D. in Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University.

     Hood currently resides in Greenacres, Washington along with her husband, twelve 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 also is a literary advocate for youth and adults.  Her hobbies include cooking, baking, photography, indoor and outdoor gardening, cultivating unusual flowering plants and orchids, and raising several specialty breeds of animals including Icelandic horses, bichon frise and cockapoos, and Icelandic sheepdogs. Hood also enjoys bird-watching activities such as observing hummingbirds.  Hood finds all aspects of nature precious and demonstrates a passionate appreciation of the environment and a respect for all life.

You may contact the office of the author and cook at:

Karen Jean Matsko Hood, M.A.

507 N. Sullivan Road, Suite, A-3

Spokane Valley, WA 99037-8531 USA

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

Website: www.karenjeanmatskohood.com

E-mail: Karen@karenjeanmatskohood.com and karenjmatskohood@hotmail.com

You may order Hood’s other books including poetry, fiction, and non-fiction for adults and children, by requesting them from your local bookstore. Please ask your local bookstores to carry these.