The inspiration for this story came from a time when the youngest member of our family came into the world with Down syndrome and a heart defect. Due to his medical issues and the high elevation where we lived in Colorado, Benny needed to be on oxygen for many months.

My husband and I had both wanted to be astronauts when we grew up, and one day while we were talking about the oxygen pack Benny needed to take with him wherever we went, we realized that astronauts also wear oxygen packs. This is when the idea for the Littlest Astronaut was born.

It wasn’t until several years later that I ended up writing the story at a writers workshop. Through the writing process I was surprised to find that the story wasn’t about a baby space adventurer as I had originally thought, but instead was about a boy who is grappling with his deep fears and discomfort over his baby brother’s medical need for oxygen.

There is a powerful need for families to have access to a story like this. I remember how isolating and overwhelming our experience was, and I hope that this story can reach other families that are going through similar situations.

Currently I am hoping to get this book published and in the hands of NICUS and parents around the country.

My very talented sister Josephine Thomason has produced the concept art for the book that you see on this site. You can check out more of her work at josephinethomason.com.

The typography of the title was created by the lovely Sarah Bansak. All other artwork on this site was created by Josephine Thomason.