Q&A with Kaz Windness

  

 

 

Kaz Windness is the author and illustrator of two new children's books--Bitsy Bat, Snow Star (the third in her Bitsy Bat series) and Time-Traveling Chickens: Bawk to the Future (the first in a new series). She lives in Denver, Colorado. 

 

Q: What inspired this new Bitsy Bat book, and why did you decide to focus on snow?

 

A: Years ago, I painted a little watercolor picture of Bitsy hanging from a snowy branch wearing a scarf and mittens on her feet. I gave the painting to my editor, Catherine Laudone. When Bitsy Bat, School Star and Bitsy Bat, Team Star were so warmly received, Catherine reached out to me and asked if I could come up with a winter story for Bitsy.

 

“But I don’t like winter,” I said.

 

“Great!” she said. “Write about that.”

 

And so I did.

 

Because bats aren’t cold-weather animals, it was the perfect opportunity to explore the sensory issues many autistics, myself included, experience. It was also fun to paint cozy outfits and shimmery, magical environments.

 

Each Bitsy Bat book explores a different aspect of autism. Besides the sensory aspects, Bitsy Bat, Snow Star shows Bitsy masking her true feelings as a way of trying to be liked. It also shows her experiencing selective mutism, where she can’t express her feelings or needs.

 

With some support from Mr. Nibbles and her classmates, eventually Bitsy can communicate her needs and tell her friends what brings her joy. There are lots of ways to experience the magic of winter.  

 

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

 

A: Benjamin Berry is a sweet mouse who loves making snow angels in the soft snowbank.

 

Winnie Whiskers is a strong-willed bunny and thinks winter is all about wearing the cutest outfits and building the best snowman.

 

Gilbert Mole loves fast sleds and steep hills and catching some air on an icy jump.

 

Enzo Owl and Mo Porcupine like reading books in a cozy nook and sipping hot chocolate. Enjoying the pretty snow from inside is what they love best.

 

While Bitsy admires all her friends and they do their best to include Bitsy in their activities, it’s Enzo and Mo’s example that helps Bitsy realize she can love the snow without being out in the snow. I am with her on this.

 

Q: You also have another new book out...Time-Traveling Chickens: Bawk to the Future. How did you come up with the idea for this new series, and how did you create your characters Nugget and Tenders?

 

A: My kids and I would often come up with funny characters and zany ideas during lunchtime. One day they were eating chicken nuggets, and we came up with Nugget and Tenders and decided the wildest, weirdest thing they could do would be to time travel in a fried chicken bucket.

 

From there, we would imagine where the chickens would go. To dinosaur times? To Washington crossing the Delaware? To the moon landing?

 

When my Worm and Caterpillar are Friends publisher, Siobhan Ciminera, asked me if I had any ideas for a fun and fast-paced graphic novel with a lot of humor and compelling characters, I immediately thought of Nugget and Tenders.

 

The Star Chapter Book series are designed to capture the interest of older elementary readers who have been left behind in the literacy crisis. The books have short chapters and lots of exciting art to support the text, plus topics that this age group will enjoy.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I’m currently working on a new five-book series for Tux Guy, Cat Spy. These will be both picture books and early readers and follow a young tuxedo cat as he trains to be a spy and goes on his first missions to capture bad guys with the help of his gadget bowtie and the underground cat spy network.  

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Yes! I have lots of activities and educator lesson plans for the Bitsy Bat series at BitsyBat.com. Also, feel free to follow me on all your favorite social media using the handle @kazwindness or visit me on my website, WindnessBooks.com. Happy reading, everyone!

 

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