Thursday, January 30, 2025

Q&A with Kaz Windness

 


 

Kaz Windness is the author and illustrator of the new children's picture book Bitsy Bat, Team Star. Her other books include Bitsy Bat, School Star. She lives in Denver.

 

Q: Bitsy Bat, Team Star is your second book about Bitsy Bat--did you know from the start that you’d be creating a series?

 

A: No, I didn’t know Bitsy Bat would have a series. This was a happy result of the first book, Bitsy Bat, School Star, being so well received.  

 

Q: Do you think Bitsy has changed at all from one book to the next?

 

A: We start the second book where the first one left off, so Bitsy has gained the Big Star understanding of her classmates, but still grapples with challenges many autistic people like me experience. 

 

Q: What inspired the plot of Bitsy Bat, Team Star?

 

A: The second story introduces a new student, Enzo Owl. Bitsy believes her specialness lies in being the only flier at Crittercrawl Elementary. With the Critter Games coming up, she now thinks she must be the best flier, better than Enzo, to preserve her friendships. 

 

Friendship has always been difficult for me, and being the best at something and using my gifts in service to others was what gave me value. I want kids to know that it’s not what you do but who you are that makes you worthy of love, friendship, and acceptance.   


Q: How would you describe the dynamic between Bitsy and Enzo?

 

A: Enzo, from the start, has wanted to be Bitsy’s friend. He doesn’t see their flying as something competitive. He’s popular with the class, so Bitsy decides he’s competition. This escalates as everyone practices for the Critter Games, and Bitsy becomes determined to beat Enzo.

 

Bitsy has become so hyper-focused on being the best she doesn’t see how she’s being invited to be a part of team-building. Ultimately, Bitsy learns what really matters, and it’s not winning. She also gains a friend who she has a lot in common with – Enzo!  

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: What am I not working on? On deadline, I’m working on final artwork for Worm and Butterfly Are Friends Always, a sequel to the 2024 Geisel Honor Award-Winning early reader graphic novel, Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends.

 

I’m also working on a personal project, a collection of spooky stories for middle-grade readers. I have two stories written and am shooting for five.  

 

Q: Anything else we should know?


A: I have free activity sheets and educator lesson plans at BitsyBat.com. And if you love Bitsy, there is a third book in the works, Bitsy Bat, Snow Star, out sometime in 2026. Drawing these sweet friends in snow gear is so cozy and fun!

 

Please follow me on your favorite social media for updates: https://linktr.ee/KazWindness

 

I also LOVE visiting schools and inspiring kids to tell their own stories. Here’s how to invite me to your school: https://www.hownowbooking.com/speakers/kaz-windness/

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Kaz Windness. 

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