Woman from Kennett helps disabled children with her books

KENNETT, Mo. — Former Kennett resident Jill Jana Marie (Plunk), has recently started living one of her childhood dreams: writing children's books.

"I always loved to write when I was younger," Plunk said.

Plunk, daughter of Otis and Nancy Plunk, formerly of Kennett, is a third-grade teacher in Estero, Fla., who has also started a foundation to help disabled children.

She describes her foundation, Heightened Horizons, as being dedicated to enhancing children's lives through literacy "while heightening the horizons of others." Plunk will donate 10 percent of the sales of each of her books to a child with a disability.

"Helping to make the life of a child a little bit better has really kept me motivated during the exhausting writing and publication process," Plunk said.

Plunk, who lived in Kennett until the age of 8, said the town inspired her stories.

"All of the characters from my books are from Kennett," Plunk said.

Her stories have characters based on her father, her grandmother Fannie, her aunt Ree, her sister Allison and other friends and family from Kennett.

Plunk's first publication, "Zoo Rendezvous," is dedicated to a 5-year-old boy named Jose Galvan of Florida, who is deaf. Jose's parents do not speak English or know sign language, making it difficult to give him academic support at home.

"Balloon Blessing," which will be released in the next month, is dedicated to a 7-year-old girl named Hannah who has a rare metabolic disorder. Hannah lives a normal life, but any illness, even a common cold, can send her to the hospital.

"Elsa Magda Val My Imaginary Pal," which is in the publication process, is dedicated to Hannah's younger sister, Sarah, who suffers from the same rare deficiency.

Plunk's books can be purchased online from Target, Books-a-Million, Borders, Barnes and Noble, Amazon or through her personal site, www.heightenedhorizons.com.

She said she will autograph each copy ordered through Heightened Horizons, and even personalize the autograph if the buyer sends her an e-mail.