During the ongoing global pandemic, Cryptopsy vocalist Matt McGachy and his wife released two children's books, which deal with the effects of social isolation on children.

When he's not screaming with Cryptopsy or interviewing people for the Vox&Hops Metal Podcast, McGachy is a full-time childcare worker. He has been working in early childhood education since 2006 and says he was "very stoked" to lend his expertise in the field to help create these books.

Says Matt: "Since the early 2000s, being an early childhood educator is the only job outside of music which I have ever truly cared about. When the pandemic hit, I was graced with the opportunity to spend loads of time with my own two young children. My wife and I started thinking about ways to give something to other families which would inspire creativity and foster the creation of a new sense of normality for children. Throughout a series of discussions, we came up with the idea to create a series of children's books which could help describe the challenges of coping with social isolation for families. From my 15 years of experience, as an early childhood educator, I consulted on the creation of the book to ensure that it remained a tool which could help stimulate and encourage the development of young children while remaining fun. The images that Jeannie Banh created are vibrant, captivating and intricate. The words that my wife, Jessica Buckingham, wrote are simple, efficient and thought provoking. It is a beautiful book which I personally believe is perfect for all families and their young children."

The books, entitled Today, We're Staying Home and Hidden Rainbow, are available for purchase or free download at the following links:

- Today, We're Staying Home
- Hidden Rainbow