Bitsy Bat, School Star

Three starred reviews!
2024 Bank Street Best Children's Book Selection

A little bat struggles to fit in only to learn to celebrate differences in this "darling book for all children but especially those with autism" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) from Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor-winning author-illustrator Kaz Windness about starting school, making friends, and seeing what makes each person special.

Bitsy is a little bat with big star dreams of making friends at her new school. But when she arrives, Bitsy doesn't feel like she fits in. The other kids sit on their chairs, but sitting upright makes Bitsy dizzy. The other kids paint with their fingers, but Bitsy would rather use her toes. Everyone tells Bitsy she's doing things wrong-wrong-wrong, so she tries harder...and ends up having a five-star meltdown.

Now Bitsy feels like a very small star and doesn't want to go back to school. But with help from her family, Bitsy musters her courage, comes up with a new plan, and discovers that being a good friend is just one of the ways she shines bright!

Backmatter includes a More About Autism facts page, making this "a particularly helpful resource for all kids" (BookPage, starred review).

Author: Kaz Windness
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Published: 06/06/2023
Pages: 48
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.20lbs
Size: 11.70h x 9.30w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9781665905053
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 2.4
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 520238 / Bitsy Bat, School Star


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 05/01/2023
Publishers Weekly 06/26/2023
School Library Journal 08/01/2023 pg. 76
BookPage 08/01/2023

About the Author
Kaz Windness is the author-illustrator of picture books Swim, Jim!; Bitsy Bat, Team Star; and Bitsy Bat, School Star, which received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, and BookPage. She created the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Level 1 Ready-to-Read Graphics book Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends, which received a starred review and is a Junior Library Guild selection, and the Level 1 Ready-to-Reads Cat vs. Vac and Go! Go! Dino!. Kaz is also the illustrator of Ollie, the Acorn, and the Mighty Idea by Andrew Hacket and the author of When You Love a Book, illustrated by Heather Brockman Lee. When she's not writing or illustrating books, Kaz mentors children's book authors and artists at The Cuddlefish Academy and enjoys making deep-dish pizza. Kaz lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband, two children, and Boston terrier. Visit her at WindnessBooks.com.