A Better Place: A Stretch2Smart Book

Written by Mary Jane Zakas

Roberta and William are relaxing on their porch and watching their pets chase butterflies. But the mail brings something unexpected to Roberta, and soon things will change. An opportunity unfolds for them to put into action one of the greatest strategies for a powerful life: being kind.

Roberta discovers her town is moving forward with plans for a botanical garden to preserve plants for many generations. Hopefully, there will be enough like-minded people to make it happen, and she’ll even donate a quilt to the auction to help out. While waiting for the event to come together, she and William decide to take a fishing trip—one that turns out to be a bigger venture than expected when a strong storm hits!

This illustrated children’s verse follows the adventures of Roberta and William as they make plans to contribute to their community and find themselves on a fishing adventure.

This illustrated verse includes an appendix of interesting facts taken from various elements in the story, designed to pique the curiosity of the reader and stimulate self-guided learning. A second STRETCH2SMART appendix provides three difficulty levels for parents and educators who want young readers to develop broader thinking skills.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Jul 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9781665748186

Mary Jane Zakas

Mary Jane Zakas has spent more than thirty years teaching in both urban and rural schools. She has experience not only in teaching grades K–8 but also in writing curriculum for them. She holds degrees in elementary education, counseling, and administration. Illustrator Roberta Jean Owen has been a painter for more than fifty years. She works quickly using decisive, almost reflective strokes with a minimum of color to express her philosophy of being honest and natural in painting. Some of her work is on permanent display at the libraries in Arvin, Lamont, and Frazier Park in California.