Pascack Valley Man Writes, Illustrates Children's Book

Pascack Valley resident Chris Spliedt recently published his first book, "How Do The Animals Live?"

The children's book, which Spliedt both wrote and illustrated, tells the story of a young girl learning about how different animals like birds, bats, moles, polar bears, goats and others live. 

The protagonist was inspired by his 5-year-old stepdaughter, Lulu, who "doesn't have a lot of fear in her," Spliedt said.

The book is full of situations he thought would be funny for her to experience fictionally.

"I looked for scenes that might be a little ridiculous, or at least interesting," Spliedt said.

After about nine months working on the book, it was finished, but Spliedt said he had a hard time finding a publisher who would offer him a good deal.

It was hard for Spliedt to find a publisher that would offer him a good deal, so he decided to self-publish the book, despite the stigma sometimes attached to that. Self-publishing was a move reminiscent of his youth, when he played bass in hardcore band Nora. Releasing a record through a large label was seen as "selling out," he said.

"It was cool to put our your own record," Spliedt said. "The book industry is the opposite of that."

Now that Spliedt has released his book, he's planning on promoting it at events around the area. He also has two more books in the works: a short story collection called "Wishes For Fishes" and a poetry book called "A Pig is a Piggy."

To buy a copy of "How Do The Animals Live?," check out the book's website or visit the Facebook page.