Some stories begin with a grand idea. Others begin with three lines in a newspaper. The Furry Mountain Monkeys of Aspen, Colorado started with the latter — a small classified ad tucked into the pages of the Aspen Daily News that sparked an adventure bigger than anyone expected.
A Tiny Ad, A Big Idea
It's easy to scroll past the classifieds. Most people do. But sometimes, a few words in the right place at the right time can plant a seed that grows into something extraordinary. That's exactly what happened when a three-line ad in the Aspen Daily News caught our attention and refused to let go.
What started as a curious little notice became the foundation for a full-blown children's story — one involving a boy, a network of old mining caves, and a band of glowing-eyed mountain monkeys who call Aspen home.
From Classified to Children's Book
The journey from that tiny ad to a finished book wasn't instant. It took imagination, research into Aspen's rich history, and a deep love for the kind of stories that make kids lean in closer at bedtime. We wanted to write something that felt rooted in a real place — because Aspen is a real place, with real history, real mountains, and (we like to think) real magic hiding in its old mining tunnels.
Why Aspen?
Aspen, Colorado isn't just a ski destination. It's a town with layers — a silver-mining boomtown turned cultural hub, surrounded by some of the most dramatic mountain terrain in North America. It felt like the perfect setting for a story about discovery, wonder, and the unexpected.
Get Your Copy
The Furry Mountain Monkeys of Aspen, Colorado is available in Hardcover ($29.99), Paperback ($17.99), and eBook ($9.95) — perfect for young readers who love adventure, animals, and a little Colorado history.