The Old Trunk – School Journal Level 2 August 2015

This article explores the life and legacy of Jill McDonald, a celebrated New Zealand children’s book illustrator whose work is preserved in a colorful old trunk kept by her son. It traces her career from her early talent for drawing in Wellington to her famous collaborations with writer Margaret Mahy and her iconic work for Puffin Books in London. The story highlights her imaginative style, her love for drawing animals, and how her “treasure chest” of art continues to captivate her family and readers today.