An old wooden chest lies buried in the mud. Who will unlock its secret?From The Painted Chest: It was the only world she had ever known. But for all of its abundance of sun and rain, soil and crops, Maddie could not keep herself from longing for more.The Painted Chest tells the story of the people of a small villagepeople who are haunted by the memory of a famine long past. Each day they clear, plant, and harvest the land, leaving little time for anything else. Without play or the joy of creation, their lives have become somber and colourless.One day, however, a young girl decides to act. Inspired by the dreams that will not leave her, and drawn by the discovery of a magical link to the past, Maddie changes her own life and the lives of those around her.The Painted Chest is a story of hope and inspiration. It is for all those who truly believe that we cannot live by bread alone, and that the creation of food for the spirit can only enhance and enrich our lives.

JUDITH CHRISTINE MILLS is a self-taught artist who has been drawing and sculpting for most of her life and began writing only in 1993. Since then, she has both written and illustrated a number of books for children and young adults, including Bridge 6, The Stonehook Schooner, The Goodfellow Chronicles, The Strange Voyage of the Raconteur, and Carew. Mills lives with her husband and son in Toronto, Ontario.

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Judith Christine Mills was born in England and has lived in Canada since her childhood. Her paintings and sculpture have been shown in galleries across Canada and the United States. Her first book, The Stonehook Schooner, was published to great acclaim. She has just published a novel for young adults entitled The Sacred Seal.

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