Young author has book in Rector library

Abigail Dutka, six-year-old daughter of Adam and Bridgett Dutka of St. Francis, authored and illustrated the book, "Sparkles is Lonely."

Abigail recently presented a copy of her book to Rector librarian Deana Mills at the Rector Public Library. The book also is in the Piggott and Corning libraries and soon will be in Delta State University Library in Mississippi.

The book is about Abigail's cat. In the book the cat is looking for friendship and the book ends with the cat finding a friend. Besides being an author at an early age, Abigail also is an artist. She recently won a poster contest in which she beat out contestants from every Kindergarten class in the state of Arkansas. She also has won a poster contest in Missouri, while competing against fifth graders.

Abigail's mother, Bridgett, is an artist, as is Abigail's grandfather, Duane Dutka. Duane's great-grandfather, Dante Raso, was an artist and an author. He has two books in the Library of Congress.

Abigail has an art studio in her grandparents' house in Piggott and prefers using acrylic paints she can mix on a palette as she paints her masterpieces on canvas board.