Emmy-winning journalist Lauren Sánchez has just launched her debut children’s book, The Fly Who Flew to Space, and she credits some of her inspiration to her fiancé, billionaire Jeff Bezos.
Sánchez and Bezos, founder of Amazon and space exploration company Blue Origin, have been together since 2019 after his divorce from Mackenzie Scott. As a mother of three, Sánchez is excited to share her story with young readers, emphasizing the importance of dreaming big and exploring the unknown.
In a chat with USA Today, she shared how Bezos’ passion for space travel has influenced her. “Being around someone who is so dedicated to exploring the unknown is hugely inspiring,” she said. “Our walks and family dinners often revolve around topics of space and innovation. He encourages us to think bigger.” This sense of adventure is reflected in her story about Flynn the fly, who dreams of becoming an astronaut.
The seed for her story was planted eight years ago during a flight. “We saw a fly in the cockpit, and it sparked our imaginations about what adventures it might be on,” she recounted. This thought—that even the smallest beings can embark on great journeys—stayed with her, though the actual writing process didn’t start until 2021, prompted by her son Evan.
As Sánchez navigated her own struggles with dyslexia, she found inspiration in Evan’s journey as well. “When he was in second grade, he was embarrassed about school because of his challenges,” she said. Now, through Flynn’s adventures, both hope to inspire other children and encourage openness about learning difficulties.
The book is currently available on Amazon for $16.95 in hardcover and $8.99 for Kindle. It’s a story about aspiration, highlighting early STEM concepts and encouraging young minds to reach for the stars. Readers will learn about atmosphere and G-Force while joining Flynn on his thrilling adventure.
Sánchez’s picture book debut promises to be an engaging read, reminding children that big dreams are possible with a curious mind.