Haley Hernandez is the KPRC 2 health reporter, but she can add a new title to her resume...author of School Makes You Super!
The mother of two boys was inspired to write her upcoming book for her son. It is published by Greenleaf Book Group Press and is geared toward 3- to 5-year-olds.
According to its description, School Makes You Super is meant to prepare and excite young heroes about going to school. With a wonderful message that hopes to inspire and empower new students, this book is a source of encouragement and positivity for kids beginning their schooling journey. It illustrates the potential that awaits them in this big life transition.
Hernandez was kind enough to answer some of my questions about her new book, which will be released on January 13, 2026. But on Amazon, you can pre-order it now.
Mike McGuff: Tell us about "School Makes You Super" and what was the inspiration behind writing it?Haley Hernandez: I wrote this book for my son. He struggles with transitions, and when he was first heading off to school, it was a little bit difficult to convince him why it was so important to go. There's lots of books out there that explain how to go to school for the first time: you pack a lunch, you ride a bus, and you meet new friends. But I couldn't find something on why they needed to go and discover skills that they wouldn't otherwise learn without an education. So, I decided to create my own book!
MM: As a medical reporter, you have to translate complex science into 'plain English.' Do you find that writing for children requires a similar type of translation or simplification?
HH: Yes, I'd say one of my strongest skills is explaining complicated subjects in ways that are easy to understand, and it's very similar when trying to explain to kids why something is important. A lot of things that seem matter-of-fact to adults (like why you go to school) are foreign concepts to a kid. We underestimate how overwhelming that transition is; they have to leave their guardians, their safe spac,e and stay somewhere for longer than many of them have ever had to stay before. There can be new sounds, smells, routines, and strangers. We often forget to explain the "why" when emphasizing the importance of going to school. The truth is, their superpowers have yet to be discovered and it's going to take years of schooling to find out what those are, and that's a journey that begins as a child and have to chart on your own.
MM: In TV, you’re always thinking about the 'visuals' for a segment. How did that influence how you collaborated with your book's illustrator?
HH: The illustrations were some of the first things I was dreaming up when I wrote the book. I was thinking about how my son loved building with Magnatiles. I thought, I wish there was a book that could show a little boy building with toys and how that manifests his future into being an architect. Then that led me to thinking about how playing doctor might mean a child has a true skill to save lives one day, and the ideas just kept coming from there, thinking about all these natural skills we are born with that really get fine-tuned with an education. I worked closely with the illustrator on my vision for every single page and Tammie Lyon really did something extraordinary in bringing my book to life. I'm thrilled with how they turned out!
MM: In the news, you can’t make things up. Was it liberating or challenging to suddenly have the freedom to write a fictional story?
HH: Yes, the book definitely shows my playful side. You'll be able to see how I talk to my kids! But in some ways it was still kind of similar to reporting, right, because I had this factual objective of wanting kids to be inspired to go to school but I had to write it a language they can understand.
MM: Reporting on health can be heavy, especially in a major city. Does writing children's stories serve as a form of 'self-care' or emotional processing for you?
HH: I never thought of it that way, but you're right that it's been one of the happiest times of my life getting to have this side hobby of working with the publisher and illustrator to write for children. Now that I think about it, yes, working in news can bring a heaviness to it and getting to go home and talk about superheroes did bring me a lot of joy. I guess for that, I'm thankful to get my book out into the world for many reasons.
School Makes You Super is available via Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
I will have to add the new book to my Texas TV, radio and media holiday gifts guide.
