Six-year-old author writes book inspired by Princeton

Zach Malott’s latest book, written with help from his father, Michael Malott, was released Saturday. “Let’s Explore Princeton,” published in November through the self-publication company CreateSpace, shares the experience of a Princeton visit from a child’s point of view.

The book consists of photographs and descriptions of points of interest in the Princeton area. It is the latest in the Malotts’ “Let’s Explore” series, which began with a Boston title and has included Hollywood, Atlantic City and Central Park. Zach has been diagnosed with development disabilities, ranging from autism to the broader category of special needs, Michael said.

“I’m kind of the copilot,” Michael said, describing his co-authorship with Zach as “a father and son partnership.”

The pair first visited Princeton on Oct. 23, the day of the Princeton-Harvard football game. “We left with such a great vibe of Princeton and were so impressed about it that we wanted to capture it in the book,” Michael explained. Their initial visit inspired them to return a week later and gather more photographs for the book, which they completed in a month.

“When we got to Princeton, both of us clad in Harvard jerseys, we just were overwhelmed with how friendly the people were, and the place was just absolutely beautiful. I was really, really, really impressed with Princeton. The thing that really topped it off was when we dealt with Princeton Record Exchange,” where, Michael noted, Zach wrote in the book, “the staff is really nice and treats me like I own the place.”

Zach is very interested in history and even more interested in trains.

“I liked the train, the Dinky train. The Dinky train is pretty cool,” said Zach, naming it his favorite part of Princeton.

By Michael’s account, Zach has memorized the train schedules of New York City.

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“I label him more as a special-needs child than an autistic child,” Michael explained.

“Most of the pictures that you see that don’t have Zach in them were taken by Zach. He has a really good eye for taking pictures,” Michael said.

Michael added Zach’s creativity extends to painting, comparing his son’s work to that of Jackson Pollock.

Zach’s career as an author began when he was 4 years old. As a Boston resident, Zach became the Harvard football team’s water boy in 2008. The entire team signed a football for him one game. He wrote about the experience in his first book, “I’m With The Team: My Summer with the Harvard Football Team.”

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When Zach was diagnosed with autism at age 2, Michael quit his job in the music industry to become a full-time parent to Zach.

“All of a sudden, it was like somebody had to take responsibility for the child,” Michael said. “Even though it’s been a very, very, very long rocky road and roller coaster with ups and downs that are unbelievable, I would do it again in a heartbeat, because being a father is one of the most rewarding experiences that I’ve ever had.”

Michael said the family is considering moving from San Francisco to Asbury Park, N.J., where he hopes to enroll Zach, who has always been homeschooled, in a public school.

The Malotts’ books are available through Amazon.com and ZachsCorporation.com. Michael said they will soon be available for order through major bookstores. The Malotts are seeking a major publisher to work with on future books.

Michael also runs a children’s charity, The Instruments for the Youth, which he founded in 2004. The organization arranges celebrity visits to children’s hospitals.