Introduction by Rebekah Lovato Piatte, Developmental Editor

When the Collective Book Studio first approached me with this proposal, the first thing that drew me in were Raleigh Stewart’s drawings. I loved all the detail he was able to bring in—things for kids to notice at every turn. And I loved the play on words, with the fly who flew. 

Working with Lauren was great—she was friendly, open to suggestions, and we were in sync about the direction of the book. Flynn is a character for both boys and girls—showing anyone can participate—and excel—in STEM subjects. Flynn’s curiosity and aspirations are relatable to a lot of kids—as well as the challenges she faces as a result. 

As a Latina myself, (whose father is from New Mexico, same as Lauren, no less) I was also excited to bring some Mexican culture in where possible—such as in the papel picado decorating Flynn’s home, or even the fact that this is translated into Spanish as well. 

As a writer, Lauren has great ideas. Her dyslexia doesn’t stop her in any way, it just informed the process a bit. One of the ways this really influenced things was in the book guide, which I had the privilege of writing. Lauren wanted to make sure the STEM concepts could be explained further than they could in a picture book, but also,  they needed to be presented in a way that helped kids who learn in different ways. 

Q&A with Emmy Award-winning journalist, author, pilot, and philanthropist Lauren Sánchez

Little flies have big dreams, too—who knew? Today, we’re thrilled to catch up with philanthropist Lauren Sánchez, an Emmy Award-winning journalist and the debut author of a delightful new illustrated children’s book on dreaming big, no matter the obstacles. The Fly Who Flew to Space tells the story of Flynn, a rambunctious fly who dreams of being an astronaut and finds it ever-so-hard to stay on task in school due to the rocket company just down the street.

And by a fortuitous turn of luck, Flynn’s dreams come true in an accidental astronaut sort of way.

Smitten with the book and wanting to learn more about Lauren’s good work, we asked Foreword‘s Children’s Book Editor Danielle Ballantyne to catch up with Lauren for the following conversation.

Though you’ve worn many hats throughout your life and career, this is your first foray into book publishing. As a debut author, what parts of the process surprised you? Did you have any preconceived notions that were confirmed or dispelled?

Writing this book has been a deeply personal journey for me, especially considering my dyslexia. Growing up, reading and writing were challenging, and never in my wildest dreams, did I think I’d be an author. This story started as a simple idea during a flight with my kids, and evolved into something I wanted to share with the world. The process was much tougher than I anticipated, but also incredibly rewarding. It taught me that sometimes our biggest obstacles can lead to our greatest accomplishments.

You weren’t the only one, for this was also the first picture book for your illustrator, Raleigh Stewart. What was it like to go through that experience together?

Partnering with Raleigh Stewart was an amazing experience. His talent brought Flynn to life in such a magical way. We both approached this project with a lot of enthusiasm and openness, which allowed us to explore all sorts of creative ideas. The characters in Flynn’s family were inspired by my own, which made the project even more special. We even included some fun interactive features like glow-in-the-dark elements and a poster for kids to hang up. It’s been a journey of discovery and creativity for both of us.

You’ve been immersed in aviation your whole life, with your father being a flight instructor and you later getting your pilot’s license. Did you ever want to be an astronaut like Flynn?

Aviation has always been in my blood. My dad was a flight instructor, and flying became a way for me to see the world from a unique perspective. Becoming a pilot was something I never thought I could achieve. I have to admit, I was scared. I waited until I was forty to get my license. It was a dream come true, and now I’m excited to announce that I’ll be leading an all-female Blue Origin flight soon. Seeing Earth from space is a dream I intend to fulfill, just like Flynn.

Flynn is a daydreamer who struggles with staying focused at school but is dedicated when it comes to their passion: becoming an astronaut. I think that’s something many children can relate to, though their passions may vary. Were you a bit of a daydreamer as a child as well?

Absolutely, I was a big daydreamer. Growing up in New Mexico, I was always out exploring and imagining new adventures. It wasn’t until later that I realized my struggles in school were due to undiagnosed dyslexia. But those challenges didn’t stop me from dreaming big. I hope Flynn’s story helps kids understand that their imagination is a powerful tool, and that dreams can lead to incredible achievements in any field, be it arts, sciences, or sports.

What is the main message you hope children will take away from your book?

There are a few key messages I hope will resonate with kids. First, reading is incredibly beneficial; studies show even just five minutes a day can make a huge difference. Second, I want kids to embrace their curiosity and use it to explore the world around them. Finally, I hope this book shows that no matter how small you feel, your dreams are valid and attainable. Dream big, work hard, and one day you might find yourself achieving the impossible.

Are you working on anything else now—literary or otherwise—that you can share?

Aside from the book and my upcoming space flight, Jeff and I are very involved with the Bezos Earth Fund, working to protect our planet. This book also carries that message, encouraging kids to appreciate and take care of our beautiful Earth. It’s all about inspiring the next generation to dream big and make a difference.

Ultimately, the story of Flynn and her big dreams is a fun one, and I’m happy I was able to help Lauren bring it to life. In the interview below, you’ll see what really inspired her and what’s at the heart of this book and her own journey.

Q&A by Peter Dabbene and re-posted with permission from Foreword Reviews, originally published on  August 16, 2024.