Once long ago, the residents of a small village endured a great famine, and so each day they push back their fears of hunger by tilling the soil. Without stopping to admire the world as it passes by them, they experience little joy and lament their colorless lives. Until, that is, a young girl named Maddie changes their lives — and her own — forever. The Painted Chest inspires readers to enrich their own lives with joy and wonder.