Lauren Sánchez is flying high. The Emmy Award–winning journalist, philanthropist, media personality, and pilot who founded Black Ops Aviation, an aerial film production company, has written her first picture book, The Fly Who Flew to Space. The heartwarming book, to be published in September by Collective Book Studio in English and Spanish—a nod to Sánchez’s heritage—concerns a curious fly, Flynn, who daydreams about becoming an astronaut. Flynn likes hanging out on a ranch in West Texas, down the road from a cool rocket company, which recalls Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin and its facility in West Texas. One day, while exploring, Flynn flies onto a rocket ship that unexpectedly takes off, and he embarks on a journey to the stars.
"Writing a children’s book was a secret dream of mine, and seeing The Fly Who Flew to Space come to life is surreal,” says the first-time author, who adds that she’s still pinching herself. “I hope Flynn inspires kids to dream big.”
Sánchez got the idea for the book years ago while piloting a plane with her three kids, Nikko, Evan, and Eleanor. “There was this fly stuck inside buzzing around as we took off,” she says. “At that moment I thought about what a fun story it would be, about this fly who gets taken on a journey. Jeff’s flight to space [in 2021] and all the time I’ve spent at launches with Blue Origin were the inspiration to build on that early idea—the fly is going to space!”
Playful and educational, The Fly Who Flew to Space showcases illustrations by Clio Award–winner Raleigh Stewart and has inventive design features such as a glow-in-the-dark cover that doubles as a poster and an interior page that glows. It also introduces critical STEM concepts, including gravity, G-force, and the atmosphere. “I’m a helicopter pilot, and there aren’t a lot of women in that world,” Sánchez says. “It’s important to show little girls what’s possible, and this book is packed with fun facts. It’s about sparking curiosity and showing kids that science can be an incredible adventure.”
The book celebrates the splendors of our magical planet; from the rocket ship, Flynn takes in aerial views of the Grand Canyon, the Amazon rainforest, and more, giving readers an appreciation for nature. That’s important to philanthropist Sánchez, who serves as vice chair of the Bezos Earth Fund, a multibillion-dollar initiative dedicated to fighting climate change and keeping the planet safe.
A lover of the outdoors since childhood, Sánchez grew up in New Mexico, where she climbed trees and enjoyed time with her parents, who owned a flight school, instilling in her a passion for the sky— and inspiring her to get her pilot’s license in her 40s. As a kid, she struggled with dyslexia and, like Flynn, who sometimes can’t focus in the classroom, always had a whopping imagination. “Although having dyslexia was hard at times, it taught me to think differently and overcome obstacles,” Sánchez says. “To anyone with dyslexia, I would give this advice: if you can get through the humiliation that you feel at first, nothing can stop you.” Being a pilot fortified her resilient spirit. “That’s the thing about being a pilot—when it’s just you alone up there, you need to figure it out,” she says. “It taught me that I can do a lot, and it gave me confidence.
Sánchez dedicated The Fly Who Flew to Space to her kids—her greatest teachers. “They’re my whole world,” she says. “They inspired me to write this book, but more importantly, they helped me become the person I am today.” The author will make school and library appearances to promote the title – “I can’t wait for this part,” she says – and is proudly supporting children’s organizations as part of the release. What’s next for Sánchez? Like Flynn, she’s headed to space. “I’ll be leading an all-female flight on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket—stay tuned!” She hopes The Fly Who Flew to Space will teach kids that anything is doable. “This book is about more than just space exploration,” she says. “It’s about overcoming challenges, believing in yourself, and never giving up on your dreams.”
