Jeff Bezos praises Lauren Sanchez’s children’s book with five-star review

Jeff Bezos recently praised Lauren Sanchez's children's book, 'The Fly who Flew to Space,' with a five-star review on Amazon. The book, published on September 10, features a fly named Flynn who dreams of becoming an astronaut and ultimately travels to space. This is Sanchez's first book, which is also available with a glow-in-the-dark poster. Despite the positive reception, the book faces controversy as Sanchez's former yoga instructor, Alanna Zabel, has filed a lawsuit claiming that Sanchez copied the concept from her own book, 'Dharma Kitty Goes to Mars.' Zabel alleges that she developed the central plot in 2002 and had discussions with Sanchez about it for 16 years. Sanchez announced her book's release in March 2024, expressing her gratitude for the story's personal significance, especially in light of her childhood struggles with dyslexia. She emphasized themes of overcoming challenges and the joy of learning, which resonate with her own experiences. The book has garnered an average rating of 4.8 stars from 60 reviews, indicating a warm reception from readers. The lawsuit adds a layer of complexity to the book's success, as Zabel claims to have contacted Bezos regarding donating proceeds to his philanthropic efforts. This legal dispute could potentially impact the book's sales and Sanchez's reputation as an author. The outcome of the lawsuit remains to be seen, but it highlights the challenges that can arise in the creative process. Overall, while Sanchez's book has received acclaim from Bezos and the public, the legal issues surrounding its creation may overshadow its success. The situation serves as a reminder of the importance of originality in creative works and the potential consequences of alleged intellectual property disputes.