No! I’d Rather Fly to Space!

Rusty is a character-driven preschool series about turning “No!” into possibility.
Each book begins with a familiar childhood struggle — bedtime, food, dressing, routines. When Rusty resists, his imagination transforms the moment into a grand adventure where he becomes “Super Rusty” — master builder, deep-sea explorer, astronaut, or chef.
The series blends emotional relatability, dynamic read-aloud pacing, and educational elements (construction processes, ocean animals, cooking, clothing, architecture) — without moralizing.

Sleep becomes a mission.
Food becomes creativity.
Clothes become identity.

The ordinary becomes epic.

Author & Illustrator

Elena Bulay

Elena Bulay is an artist and illustrator based in Moscow. She graduated from the Moscow State University of Printing Arts as a graphic artist and later followed the illustration course at the British Higher School of Art and Design. Elena illustrates books and magazines and also creates product illustration. She collaborates with publishing houses, advertising agencies, magazines and more.

Elena was among the winners of the Illustrators Exhibition organized by Bologna Children’s Book Fair in 2021 and 2022. In 2025, Elena was among the finalists with the illustrations from her picture book Harold the snail. Her non-fiction The Dog Book was published in 11 languages.