Kisses from Space is more than just a charming children's book; it’s a cosmic journey that captures the unbreakable bond between parent and child. Through its pages, readers are invited to explore not just the vastness of outer space, but the depth of love, determination, and resilience. We had the incredible opportunity to connect with the author, Anna Menon, shortly before the Polaris Dawn Mission. Anna shares her insights on space, parenthood, and the power of perseverance.
Hart & Hero: Anna, thank you so much for taking the time to connect with us. Kisses from Space is such a beautiful book that resonates deeply with both children and parents alike. Can you share what role space played in your childhood? At what age did you start developing an interest in space?
Anna Menon: I first developed an interest in space in the fourth grade. It all started with a field trip where I got to experience a day in the life of an astronaut and a flight controller in Mission Control. Every student in the class had a role, and together, as a team, we flew a mission. That experience lit a fire in me, and from that moment on, I knew I wanted to contribute to this industry.
Hart & Hero: It’s incredible how a single experience can shape the course of our lives. How did your parents nurture and support your interests in science and space?
Anna Menon: My mom is a paleontologist, and my dad is a geologist, and the two of them fostered a love of science and exploration in me and my siblings from a young age. They took us to national parks and gave us opportunities throughout childhood to explore our Earth, doing everything from long hikes to licking rocks to learn to identify them! These experiences fostered in me a love for science and exploration that I’ve carried throughout my life.
You put Teddy in my suitcase, I hid notes in your covers
Hart & Hero: Kisses from Space beautifully captures the parent-child bond, even when parents have to be away. As both you and your husband, Anil, are astronauts, you must spend a significant amount of time apart from your children. What tips do you have for parents who face similar challenges with separation anxiety?
Anna Menon: Anil and I love our family, and we are also grateful to get to do work we love. But it’s hard when that work takes us away from our kids, and I know that being apart from family at times for various reasons is a challenge that lots of parents face. For Anil and me, we work hard to find ways to connect even when we are apart, and we’re constantly learning as we go. At times, we make paper chains that count down the days until we reunite, and the kids cut off a link each day. We also make videos for each other when we are apart — sharing moments of our day, updates, and messages about how we’re thinking of each other. And when I fly to space, I’ll actually leave notes under my kids’ covers for them to find while I’m away!
My training continued
The mountains were calling
I learned to be strong
and get up after falling
Hart & Hero: What were some of the challenges you faced during your space training? Can you share an example of when you fell and got back up again?
Anna Menon: Space training included such a fantastic series of lessons that applied not only to spaceflight but to life in general! One powerful memory I have is from our skydiving training, which drilled skills in maintaining focus in high-stress, high-consequence environments. We trained with the US Air Force Academy and went through their jump program — the only place in the world where you jump out of an airplane on your first jump completely solo. They put us through two intense days of ground school, then put us to the test to make sure we retained every nominal and emergency procedure perfectly. Upon passing, it was time to jump! We rode in the airplane to drop altitude, stood in the door with the wind blasting in our face, and then let go for our skydive. That experience put me through the whole arc of emotions: butterflies and fear as I stood in the door, then a shift to extreme focus upon free-falling and releasing my parachute, then elation as I landed safely back on the ground. I think that lesson, the value in pushing through a difficult moment, focusing, and then the joy on the other side that comes through that hard-fought journey, was a powerful lesson that I will carry with me throughout life.
"Standing in the airplane door, with the wind blasting in my face, I felt a wave of butterflies and fear. But once I let go, I shifted to extreme focus during the free fall, and releasing my parachute was a moment of pure elation."
Hart & Hero: That’s an incredible story and such a valuable lesson. As a parent, how do you encourage perseverance in your children when they face challenges?
Anna Menon: As our kids encounter challenges that require perseverance, we talk through the situation and try to teach them tools to help with their emotions when they hit setbacks. We also try to share experiences — either personal or in their friends or others to whom they look up — of working through hard times and pushing through to the other side.
Hart & Hero: Is there someone in your childhood who inspired you to be the person you are today?
Anna Menon: My dad was one of my biggest inspirations growing up. He’s an incredibly hard worker, lives his life with deep integrity, and always prioritizes his family. He’s a huge inspiration to me.
Hart & Hero: Did gender play a role in your training, and how did you navigate that?
Anna Menon: I’m lucky to be part of a really supportive crew and training environment, so gender didn’t play a role in my training. Each one of us worked through the various challenges we encountered, learned together, and supported each other throughout the journey.
Hart & Hero: We have a few questions from a young fan from the Hart & Hero community. Her first question: How long was your training?
Anna Menon: Our training took just over two years.
Hart & Hero: When do you think humans will set foot on Mars?
Anna Menon: I think it’ll be in your lifetime! There’s a lot happening in space right now, and we’re taking big steps in that direction. It’s an exciting future to be a part of.
Hart & Hero: Do you have any advice for a beginner looking to learn to identify the planets and stars in the night sky? Any recommendations?
Anna Menon: I’d suggest starting with a telescope and practicing with it. You can start by searching YouTube videos or introductory lessons online. And then start to explore — I use an app called Night Sky (but there are others like it) to help identify stars, planets, and satellites in the night sky.
Hart & Hero: Thank you so much for your time and best of luck on your mission! We'll be cheering you on from Earth!
About Kisses from Space
As Polaris Dawn crewmember, engineer, and mother Anna Menon gets ready to take off into space, she penned this sweet picture book as a love letter to her kids—reimagining their family as a tight-knit clan of adventurous dragons who love each other across any distance!
You see, when we’re apart,
we’re not really alone.
I’ll send kisses from space,
and I’ll always come home.
When Anna was given the opportunity to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming an astronaut on the Polaris Dawn mission, she also had to confront the reality of being farther from her children than ever before—soaring 870 miles above them at over 15,000 miles per hour. In Kisses from Space, she not only tells the story of her adventure but also shares the challenges she faces as she prepares for this extraordinary journey, highlighting the resilience and determination required to achieve her dreams.
Kisses from Space follows a mama dragon returning from her cosmic adventure. As she nestles her baby dragons close, she recounts her journey and reassures them that they were always in her thoughts. This heartwarming picture book, written in lyrical rhyme and beautifully illustrated, celebrates the enduring bonds of family and a mother’s unwavering love for her children.
Kisses from Space is published by Penguin Random House.
It is written by Anna Menon and Keri Vasek, and illustrated by Andy Harkness.
