Since 2014, the prolific writer Kathleen Shields has published 43 books. In that milieu, she has written an educational series, educational how to books, early readers, shorts and self-help books for children, as well as tween adventures and fiction for young adults and adults. This year she has embarked on a new project, a sevenbook series for middle school readers, the Cozy Fantasy stories. Although popular and winners of multiple awards, her books buck a prevailing trend in children’s entertainment.
“I don’t support the dystopian, apocalyptic vision of life. It’s everywhere, in every book, video game and movie. The kind of dread that this outlook imparts is damaging. Life is being presented as a kind of ‘Hunger Game’ which sends the message that if you don’t perform, you’ll become a loser, or even worse, die,” she said in an interview from her home in Fischer.
“The world has led children to think that if they aren’t a pop star, a celebrity or a household name, they’re not worthy and social media has become a vehicle for attacking vulnerable kids. Children have a hard enough life as it is.”
