Jill Jana Marie Plunk, 24, spends her days teaching third-graders at Osceola Elementary School. This summer, she also published her first book, “Zoo Rendezvous.” The book is the story of what happens in the zoo once the guests leave and the gates are closed for the night.

“It was one of my childhood dreams,” Plunk said of writing a book. “I really enjoy sitting down with my laptop and writing. It is relaxing for me.”

At the encouragement of her family, Plunk decided to send some of her stories to publishers.

“The hardest part was getting any one to read them. Finally, Peppertree Press, which is based here in Florida, read them and wanted to publish them,” she said. “I always tell my students that I heard ‘no’ many times before I heard ‘yes.’”

Plunk said the book, which is written for elementary school students, also has five-day shared reading plans to allow teachers to use the book in their classroom. The lesson plans can be found online at Heightened Horizons, www.heightenedhorizons.com.

She said she was also cognizant of the importance of improving the students’ vocabulary, using words, such as uproarious and patrons, or alliteration words, such as grin and giggle in the book.

Osceola health teacher Joann Vukobratovich called Plunk’s book “delightful” and “colorful.”

Plunk, who taught fourth grade at Osceola last year and worked with her students on writing to prepare them for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, said she knows vocabulary is very important for elementary school children.

“I like to use the words to push them,” she said.

Writing the book has made it even easier to teach writing, Plunk said, because she can show her students that she is a published author.

“I always tell them that ‘Zoo Rendezvous’ had a different title and different animals doing different things,” she said. “It helps me reinforce the need for revision in their writing.”

Plunk said she hopes the book enhances the lives of children through literacy. She also hopes they understand a purchase of the book helps someone else.

Plunk donates 10 percent of the book sales from her Web site to Jose Galvan, a kindergartner who attends Highlands Elementary School in Immokalee. The money will help Jose, who is deaf, get the resources he needs to help him learn.

Plunk found out about Jose through her roommates, both teachers at Highlands Elementary School.

“He’s such a special boy,” she said. “Jose can’t read, but he has seen ‘Zoo Rendezvous’ and he likes the pictures.”

Plunk hopes to give another Naples child support with the publication of her second book, “Balloon Blessing.” That book is scheduled to be published soon. She also has a third book in the works about an imaginary friend.

“They are all different kinds of books,” she said. “‘Zoo Rendezvous’ is goofy, while ‘Balloon Blessing’ has a serious message at the end. I just hope (the kids) enjoy them and we are able to help some kids because of them.”

To order “Zoo Rendezvous” or “Balloon Blessing” or to learn more about Plunk, visit www.heightenedhorizons.com.