# A Treasure's Trove

A Treasure's Trove: A Fairy Tale About Real Treasure for Parents and Children of All Ages is an illustrated children's book written by Michael Stadther and published in 2004 by Treasure Trove Inc, which he incorporated to do so. The "real treasure" was found by deciphering clues in the book that led to fourteen tokens that could be turned in for unique jewels, each representing an insect or character from the book, or a cash prize representing one third of the jewel's value. Initially, it was reported that there were twelve jewels, however, it subsequently emerged that there were fourteen prizes. In 2005, it was reported that film rights for A Treasure's Trove had been acquired by Cruise/Wagner Productions, however, apart from a reported trailer being in development in the New York Times, there has been no further news.

## Synopsis

The book is about twelve forest creatures whose mates disappear after being crystallized by a dark dust that falls every evening. The forest creatures combine forces with Zac (the handsome woodcarver), Ana (his beautiful half-elf, half-human wife), and their timid, chubby, winged "doth" Pook (inspired by the author's dog Misty) to save the creatures and restore the dying forest.

## Treasure hunt

Inside the book are clues to fourteen tokens that were hidden in parks throughout the United States, which could be redeemed for jewels representing characters from the story. The unique jewels, which were collectively valued at one million dollars, have now all been found, and a book showing the solutions has been published. Stadther subsequently published another book with a new treasure hunt, Secrets of the Alchemist Dar.
Three of the Treasure's Trove jewels were original pieces, including a 19th-century Russian grasshopper, a snail and a ladybug. Another jewel, representing the villain Rusful, was an uncut black diamond. The rest of the jewels were made by Robert Q. Underhill of Jewelry Designs in Danbury, Connecticut. He was commissioned after Stadther noticed a hummingbird brooch in his shop while looking for a gift for his wife.
They are as follows:
| Jewel | Materials used | Location of token |
| Ant | Spessartite garnets and clear diamonds | Swanny City Park, Moab, Utah. |
| Bee | Black cultured Tahitian pearl; clear, yellow and black diamonds; and plique-à-jour enamel | Santa Rosa Lake State Park, New Mexico. |
| Beetle | Tanzanite; clear, yellow and black diamonds; with enamel | Badlands National Park, South Dakota |
| Butterfly | Clear diamonds; sapphires; and black enamel | Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina |
| Caterpillar | Peridots; green diamonds; amethysts and plique-à-jour enamel | Lake Dardanelle State Park, Arkansas |
| Dragonfly | Sapphires; clear diamonds; and plique-à-jour enamel | Ricketts Glen State Park, Pennsylvania |
| Firefly | Alexandrite; Burmese ruby; yellow and clear diamonds; and black enamel | Foss State Park, Oklahoma |
| Grasshopper | Antique 19th century ornament made in Russia. Green garnets, ruby and diamonds set in gold and silver. | James Baird State Park, New York |
| Hummingbird | South Sea pearl; clear, black and yellow diamonds; emeralds and rubies | Jackson, Wyoming |
| Ladybug | Original ornament made of rubies and diamonds | Paintsville Lake State Park, Kentucky |
| Pook | Hand-carved rock quartz, platinum, and plique-à-jour enamel | Newaygo State Park, Michigan. |
| Rusful | Uncut black diamond | Golden Gate Park, San Francisco |
| Snail | Original ornament. | Lake Anita State Park, Iowa |
| Spider | Kashmir sapphire; yellow diamond; and clear diamonds | Prickett's Fort State Park, West Virginia |
The Treasure's Trove Jewels were exhibited at the Carnegie Museum in 2004.