Shelly O Haas has illustrated sixteen books for children. She enjoys infusing images in her books with a rich texture of the characters' culture, symbolic identity, and or the historic time period that fostered their growth. The books that Shelly has illustrated fall primarily into two genres: stories of comfort for children in crisis, and biographies of unsung heroes for young adults. In Magazine work and fine art, Shelly is often asked to create enchanted environments. The presence of wildlife and or elements of a dream, visit the space, appearing transparent or ethereal.