This Months Local Artist Spotlight
Deny Curtis is the author of Maddy’s Special Egg and the lyricist behind Four Letter Farm Life. A retired nurse, Deny devoted much of her career to caring for others—a commitment that continued through her community work supporting homeless military veterans. Her dedication earned her recognition as one of the 2012 Central Florida Humanitarians of the Year.
Today, Deny lives in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains, where she enjoys a full and colorful country life as a wife, mom, and proud Nona. Her home is shared with two horses, chickens, two Great Pyrenees, six cats, and a trusty tractor. Inspired by family, animals, music, and mountain living, Deny brings warmth, compassion, humor, and a genuine love of storytelling to everything she creates.
Maddy’s Special Egg-a children’s book about adoption.
Maddy is a beautiful golden hen living happily among the feathered friends at Belton Bridge Farm. While the other hens proudly raise fluffy chicks, Maddy’s nest stays empty — no matter how long the wait, no eggs ever come.
Then one sunny morning, Maddy’s dear friend Scout makes an offer that will change everything: choose an egg from the coop and raise it as your own. Maddy promises to love this chick with a whole heart — and when a bright red baby with a fluffy crown of feathers and cozy “slipper” feet finally hatches, Maddy names the chick Ruby and never looks back.
Maddy’s Egg is a tender, joyful picture book that helps young readers understand that families come together in many different ways. Perfect for adoptive families, foster families, blended families, or any child curious about how love — not shared eggs or blood — is what truly makes a family. With warm illustrations and a gentle farmyard setting, this story reassures children that being chosen with love lasts forever.
A comforting read for:
- Children joining a family through adoption or foster care
- Classroom or library storytime discussions about different kinds of families
- Parents looking for an accessible way to talk about adoption with young kids
Age range: 3–8 years (Picture Book / Early Reader)
Available on Amazon