Emmy-winning journalist Lauren Sánchez has revealed how her billionaire mogul fiancé, Jeff Bezos, inspired her new children's book.
The news anchor and the Amazon founder have been dating since 2019 after Bezos split from his wife of 25 years, Mackenzie Scott. Now Sánchez, a mother of three, is also a debut children's author with her book, The Fly Who Flew to Space, released on September 10.
In the book, a fly named Flynn follows his dream of becoming an astronaut on a rocket ship. In a conversation with USA Today, Sánchez explained that Bezos' space adventures inspired the story. Bezos owns the private space exploration company Blue Origin.
Newsweek emailed a spokesperson for Sánchez for comment on Tuesday outside of normal business hours.
"Being around someone who is just so dedicated to pushing the boundaries in exploring the unknown is incredibly inspiring to all of us in the family," she told the publication.
"Our dinner conversations often revolve around space and innovation. He really just challenges us all to dream big. At the dinner table I was saying something and he said, 'No, dream bigger. Go bigger.' So it's not a surprise that some of that excitement found its way to Flynn's adventure."
Sánchez came up with the idea to base the book on a fly when she and her children were on a plane approximately eight years ago and noticed a fly inside the cockpit.
"We all started imagining what kind of adventure that tiny little fly was on... flying way above the sky away from its family. It sparked this thought about how even the smallest creatures can embark on incredible journeys if they dare to explore. I didn't really write it, I kind of imagined it," she explained.
While she thought about the idea, she didn't truly start working on the project until 2021 when encouraged by her son Evan, who is now 18. While Sánchez was inspired by her fiancé, she was also motivated by her and Evan's experiences with dyslexia.
While Sánchez, who grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, struggled in school, she said watching her son struggle was even more difficult.
"He was in second grade and he didn't want to go to school. He was embarrassed. It was tough," she said.
Now, both Sánchez and her son hope that being open about their dyslexia—with their stories being told through Flynn the fly—will help other children.
The author added: "I learned that embracing my curiosity and opening myself to new experiences, I could still achieve big things... things are possible."
At the time of writing, Sánchez's book can be purchased on Amazon for $16.95 in hardcover and $8.99 for Kindle.
"Flynn is a little fly with big dreams. School isn't easy for Flynn, and they daydream of becoming an astronaut. One day while exploring a nearby rocket company they stumble onto a rocket ship and into the biggest adventure of their life," the description reads.
"Young readers will be introduced to early space concepts such as atmosphere and G-Force while being introduced to Earth's amazing natural wonders, all while being reminded that big dreams and a curious mind can lead to the most astonishing discoveries."
"Emmy-award-winning journalist, pilot and philanthropist Lauren Sánchez takes readers on a high-flying space adventure with Flynn the Fly in her picture book debut. Inspired by her childhood battle with dyslexia and a lifelong love of flying, The Fly Who Flew to Space will have little readers learning about early STEM concepts and reaching for the stars."
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