Kim Märkl tells a unique and moving story of Rafael a young violin apprentice, who lived in Italy long ago. The door to the past is opened by another Rafael who stumbles upon its key while rummaging in the attic. Enhanced by the charming illustrations of Heike Reiter, Kim Märkl sweeps us into the seventeenth century and the shop of the great violin maker, Niccolò Amati.The Secret Box is the story of the passion Rafael has for his treasured instrument, the violin. His parents could never afford lessons or an instrument, so the closest he can get to what he loves most is to work in the violin shop. Will he ever be able to play his beloved instrument?