Bitsy Bat, School Star

Bitsy Bat

by Kaz Windness

Three starred reviews!

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).

Genres: Picture Books, School, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Disability

48 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2023

Reviews

[Ms. Woc Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an adorable book. School is tough enough for little ones to adjust but it's even more difficult for the students who are neurodivergent and process things differently than some of their peers. I thought this book was great because it showed readers how Bitsy's accommodations are normal and it's alright that she's not exactly like her peers. It also pointed out how everyone has something unique about themselves. This is a great intro to autism for a young reader written in a way that they understand.

[Thomas Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was amazing. This is a glimpse into kids on the spectrum, but it doesn't have to be that if the kids reading the books aren't ready for that - still a great book about how people treat each other, and how we can treat each other better. And fun too!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

bats with autism? Immediate yes

[Ruth Govaerts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bitsy Bat was zo'n lief en mooi kinderboek. Het is eigenlijk een verhaal over autisme en hoe het voelt wanneer je controle verliest. Bitsy gaat voor het eerst naar school en lijkt alles verkeerd te doen. Ondersteboven op een stoel zitten mag bijvoorbeeld niet en schilderen mag enkel met de voorpoten. De dingen die Bitsy 'fout' doet stapelen zich verder op en dan ontploft Bitsy plots. Bitsy zoekt naar een manier om zich toch weer oke te voelen in haar klasje.

Fijn verhaal met een mooie boodschap.

[Lenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bitsy bat is one of the most adorable books I've ever read!

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, wow, wow. I think Kaz Windness is a new favorite author/illustrator of mine! Her illustrations are top notch and her writing flows very well. I love it when a book that features animals really embraces those animal qualities. The upside down art is so very fun, and all the things that make Bitsy who she is is wonderfully on display. The book has back matter about autism, and not only is that helpful, but the book’s message about autism is done in a way that all kids can relate to, because we’re all different from each other and have qualities that make us special. So this book is both specific to autism and universal at the same time. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone.

[Stan Yan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say enough great things about this book: 1) It's got amazingly cute drawings and an amazingly cute protagonist, 2) It's a fun and funny read, 3) It's got an important message that will hopefully make autistic children feel seen and help their classmates and others around them understand and know how to accommodate when necessary, and 4) It, like all of Kaz's books, has heart. Yet another book that needs to be in every library, classroom, and bookshelf!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kaz Windness's Bitsy Bat eagerly awaits her first day of school. She wants to be a star, but worries that she's not ready. She rehearses raising her wing, painting friends, and sharing snacks. As a bat, however, she can't sit like the other students, she paints with her feet, and no one wants her bug snacks. After having 'a five-star meltdown', Bitsy refuses to return to the school where she can't do anything the way the other students do. Thanks to her family's encouragement and her teacher's help, Bitsy comes up with an idea to show the students in her class the ways she does things and help them all show what makes them special. A note providing additional information about autism and a special note from the author/illustrator round out the book. Bitsy Bat is an adorable character with big dreams, but she has her struggles. Themes of acceptance, adaptation, and peacemaking shine through this touching book. And the adorable illustrations are bright and eye-catching and highly appealing. Bitsy will be hard for children to resist as she shares both her dreams and her unique way of doing things. A winner through and through and a great choice for sharing at home or at school.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bitsy's first day at Crittercrawl Elementary doesn't go as well as she hoped-- the other kids find her way of doing things to be strange and different. Fortunately, Bitsy uses her star powers to help her classmates embrace what makes them unique, too. A sweet story about embracing neurodiversity and being yourself.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable book about a bat’s experiences at school. He does not fit in with the other students at first, but after a few days everybody is getting along and accepting the differences among themselves.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great first week of school book to use at home or in the classroom!!

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this cute book about doing things differently and being special and unique. Turns out the author has autism and Bitsy the bat is an extension of her and how she copes with the world. Not pushy or overbearing in acceptance.

[JoAnn Dickinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book is amazing and really resonates with the kids. Most kids can imagine how Betsy felt on the first day of school. Just trying to fit in somehow, but being different isn’t always easy. Love the character as its perfect for being different and so relatable to many children. This is a must read, and, a perfect book for a School or home library, and a fun read for the Summer as kids are getting ready to enter into a new class with new friends and a new teacher.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a special book. The illustrations are really cute, and the story is sweet, and educational, without trying too hard. Highly recommend reading it with the little people in your life.

[Kellee Moye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bitsy has trouble fitting in but she reminds herself and her classmates that she is a star just the way she is while also highlighting what makes each of the characters special. It was a nice way to share a neurodivergent character with readers.

[Amanda Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I look forward to reading this to my students as it was nominated for the 2025 Washington children's choice picture book award. Backmatter includes facts about autism and a letter from the author with her own experience.

Update! Excellent book for talking about empathy and forgiveness. Also a great segue to discuss safety. I'll be asking the students to define safety and it's revealed that Bitsy hadn't felt safe before her meltdown. I find that younger students stop at happy & sad, so this is eye opening. But if you can feel safe, why isn't safety a feeling? This book became gobs more impressive after reading it to the kids.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARCQuest: Book 22

So adorable and sweet and important, with cute cute cute illustrations. I’ve loved seeing more autism rep in books over the years, and I think Bitsy Bat is a lovely character for neurodivergent kids to relate to, as well as for neurotypical kids to learn from. A FIVE-STAR rating for a FIVE-STAR bat!

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello, friends! Our book today is Bitsy Bat, School Star by Kaz Windness, a heartwarming look at neurodiversity and the importance of accessibility.

Bitsy Bat is nervous for her first day of school, but her family helps her practice all the things she will do. Yet when she arrives at school, she finds that her way of doing things doesn’t always fit into the classroom norm: sitting right-side up instead of hanging upside-down makes her dizzy, painting with her wings leaves her feeling sticky and uncomfortable, and the other kids don’t like the bugs that she brought for lunch (they’re the only thing she eats). In addition, the lights are too bright, the sounds are too loud, and no matter how hard she tries, she is told that she’s doing things “wrong.” All this frustration leads to a major meltdown, and a refusal to return to school the next day. Bitsy’s parents remind her that there’s nothing wrong with her; she’s different, and perfect as she is. Inspired by the reminder that she is a “big star,” Bitsy comes up with a game plan to not only make school for accessible for her, but also to show her class that it is our differences that make us special.

Wonderful. While the topic of neurodiversity is never directly mentioned in the story’s text, Windness cleverly weaves a metaphor that expresses the challenges of attending school as a neurodivergent child, and without patronizing those with special needs. Bitsy is depicted as being a capable, intelligent, social, and eager student; the classroom – and the attitudes of the other students – are simply not conducive to her specific needs. This is a critical distinction, and one that Windness handles with grace, both in the gentle yet affecting story and the charming artwork (which features other examples of classroom inclusion, such as an LGBTQIA-coded character and one who uses a wheelchair). Autism and neurodiversity are detailed more in the backmatter. The length is great for a storytime, and JJ absolutely loved this one. This is a beautiful tale for reminding readers that accommodating those with disabilities strengthens the diverse communities that we live in. Overall, Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

[Ccaywood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stars and spaceships are Bitsy Bat’s passion. When Bitsy starts school she discovers that none of the other (nocturnal animal) students hangs upside down or paints with their toes. This makes it awkward for her to participate in the primary grade activities. Winnie Whiskers, a rabbit, is particularly judgmental, shouting “WRONG!” until Bitsy has a five-star meltdown. The next night, Bitsy takes sunglasses and headphones to prevent overstimulation and paper stars for each student to write what makes them special. The other students try Bitsy’s upsidedown view and bug snacks and all are happy.

The author’s end notes explain her experience as an autistic person. She illustrates this with Bitsy’s family helping Bitsy practice confidence-building skills and providing the glasses and headphones, but it seemed odd to me that they didn’t provide those to start with. It also bothered me that the teacher didn’t intervene when Winnie kept criticizing. And there was no mention of bright lights until the meltdown, so the need for sunglasses wasn’t clear. The illustrations depict Bitsy’s family heads up and feet down which fits with that being their normal perspective but then switches to our perspective for the school scenes, which I found jarring. While all the characters are forest animals, the raccoon uses a wheelchair and the mouse{?} wears glasses.

The sequel, Bitsy Bat, Team Star doesn’t have the problems I noticed in the first, though I still think the teacher should be more aware of students’ needs. The author appears to plan a series about other aspects of being autistic. In this story, Enzo Owl, who uses a tablet and sign language to communicate, joins Bitsy’s class. Since Enzo also flies, Bitsy feels her status in the class is threatened, especially as a competition is planned for the next day. At recess, Enzo flies faster and Bitsy has a meltdown and goes to the sensory room for quiet time. The next day Bitsy is still convinced she must win but she forfeits the race to rescue Mo the porcupine. Her teammates tell her that helping a friend makes her more of a star than winning. I was pleased that the raccoon in the wheelchair won the rolling race.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

School can be tough for little ones, especially those who are on the spectrum. In Bitsy Bat, School Star, a little bat discovers that being different is totally ok after struggling to make herself like her classmates. Read on for a review of the picture book Bitsy Bat School Star written and illustrated by Kaz Widness.

Bitsy Bat, School Star tells the story of a young bat named Bitsy who loves to learn but struggles in school due to being a little different from her peers. Bitsy finds it challenging to focus, communicate, and socialize with her classmates. For example, sitting still in her seat makes her dizzy; hers is the only lunch with wiggly bugs. Bitsy tries hard to be like everyone else but quickly gets overwhelmed, triggering a meltdown.

Bitsy initially doesn’t want to return to school and shares her fears with her family. With the encouragement of her teacher, parents, and some helpful classroom accommodations, Bitsy is able to succeed in school and reach her full potential.

The illustrations in the book are muted but engaging, depicting Bitsy and her classmates in various school settings. Bitsy is portrayed as a cute, lovable character with fun quirks that make her stand out from her peers. The illustrations also show the importance of accommodations for children with autism, and Bitsy is much more comfortable with slight changes like headphones for when the classroom gets loud.

What I loved about the Bitsy Bat, School Star book is that each classmate including Bitsy is unique and has individual needs that must be met in order to thrive in school. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding and acceptance of neurodiverse classmates, and how accommodations can create a more inclusive learning space for all students. Overall, Bitsy Bat, School Star is a heartwarming story that promotes understanding, and inclusivity for children with autism.

[Jackie Nix · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the mother of a neurodivergent and a neurodivergent myself, I am in LOVE with Bitsy Bat School Star! WOW! Where was this book when my son was little!

Bitsy Bat is excited to start school but her excitement turns to dread as she quickly realizes that she is very different from her classmates. She's told that her way of doing things is wrong and she feels like she doesn't fit in.

But Bitsy has a great idea. She gets the whole class to write something special about themselves on paper stars, which helps the students understand one another better. Bitsy also figures out accomodations (sunglasses and headphones) that help make class more tolerable. In the end, the other students try doing things Bitsy's way and they all gain new appreciation for one another. The take home lesson is to be true to yourself and not measure your worth by another person's yardstick.

This was a personal project for Kaz and it shows. She portrays autism with such compassion and realism because she too is autistic.

I've been following Kaz on social media and the deliberate choices she made in this book are just Chef's Kiss! There are a ton of easter eggs if you pay attention, from the shape of Bitsy (she's star shaped), to the use of a bat main character (being upside down in a right-side up world) to the choice of bat species (Honduran Cottonball bat) to the color palette. My goodness, this book is a masterclass for upcoming author/illustrators.

Whether you have a neurodivergent child or not, you NEED this book! It's so perfect for SEL lessons in the classroom or for building your child's self-confidence at home.

Can you tell I LOVE this book? BUT IT TODAY! You won't be dissapointed!

[Jane Healy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expected to like this picture book, but it far exceeded my expectations with its warmth, love, and solid story. Bitsy Bat is a tad nervous about going to a new school, like many kids. She has big dreams of being a star, but what if that doesn't happen? Mama helps Bitsy practice some basic skills to give Bitsy confidence. At school, she is discombobulated by not knowing the rules and customs, by being bossed by a classmate, and by expectations that were simply not Bitsy, which leads to her having a huge meltdown. Mama and Papa retrieve her and love and encourage her at home, while Bitsy's dreams become tiny. The next day, she refuses to go to school, convinced that she does everything wrong. Mama and Papa work with her to develop coping skills and give her the adaptive equipment she needs to succeed. She goes to school with a Big Star idea that she shares with her teacher. Mr. Nibbles implements the idea with the class, and they all realize that they each have a star quality that makes them different and special. The author gives an autism glossary and note in the back, and there are two stars in the back that readers can personalize and punch out. The illustrations celebrate diversity and are so emotive and kid-friendly that readers will want to be part of the class. Bitsy's home scenes are also loving and show exactly how bats with human qualities would live. Though the notes are about autism, this book is great for everyone to read and understand that though we are all different, we are all special in some way. An aspect I appreciated was for the class to learn that there can be more than one way to do a thing to get a good result. If I could give this book more than 5 stars here, I would!

[Jared White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about an Autistic character actually by someone who has Autism?! How cool! I really like how this is done. If you are going to have animal characters, then having a bat stand-in for someone with Autism is just about perfect, and, unsurprisingly, the author did it wonderfully (which is, I'm sure, why they chose a bat). Bitsy Bat does things just a bit differently (prefers to hang upside down rather than sit in a chair, paints, eats, etc. using their feet rather than their forepaws, etc.). Also, Bitsy's eyes and ears are quite sensitive so things at school are overwhelming until they figure out some coping strategies (noise-reducing headphones and sunglasses). Their teacher also makes some adjustments, like making them a special chair so they can hang rather than sit.

I just really liked how this whole thing was done and am thankful to the author for writing (and illustrating!) it. There is also a "more about Autism" page in the back of the book as well as a letter from the author.

Whether a class has someone in it who is Autistic or not, I think this could be great for an elementary storytime to have a conversation about how some people do things differently, have different strengths, etc. As well as Bitsy there is also a character who uses a wheelchair. There's also a student who keeps telling Bitsy they're doing things "wrong" (they're sitting wrong, painting wrong, eating the wrong food, etc.) which could also make for some good discussion. It's also nice that the book shows this character grow some.

Also nice is that there's humor sprinkled in as well, in the text and illustrations (i.e. one of the things a fox says that's special about them is that they never eat their friends, the porcupine says "I'm sharp," and more).

[Amy Dalin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much! Bitsy Bat is nervous about starting school. On the first day of school, she realizes she is different from the other students. The lights are too bright, the noises are too loud, she hangs upside down, she uses her feet to write, and she eats bugs. After being told she does everything wrong, she melts down and says she never wants to return to school. Her parents remind her she is a bright star and Bitsy Bat comes up with a great idea! She decides to wear sunglasses to help with the bright lights and earphones to help when things get too loud. Her teacher and her work together and each student get a star to write what is special about them. Bitsy Bat and her classmates celebrate their uniqueness together! This book was written and illustrated by Kaz Windness, who has autism. She based Bitsy Bat on herself. She has a hard time with bright lights and uses headphones to tune out loud noises. She emphasizes that the best help is when her family and friends understand her and love her. I love the moral of this story and think this can be a fantastic book to teach students that everyone has different things that make them special. At the very end of the book, the author includes a page of definitions that teach students more about autism and being neurodivergent. Excellent story with super cute illustrations!

[Thompson McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bitsy Bat is a cute young bat who wants to be a big star on her first day of class. Her family believes in her and tells her to shine and her first day will be great. But sadly, Bitsy finds school a frightening experience. The other students laugh at her when she tries to hang upside down. They tell her she must sit in her chair.

During art, they laugh when Bitsy uses her toes for her art. When lunchtime comes, the others are disgusted by Bitsy's lunch. Brokenhearted, Bitsy goes home. Her parents assure her that she is unique and magnificent. Bitsy gets an idea. Aren't all of us special and shine in our own way? She makes everyone a star and passes them out the next day. Everyone writes what makes them special on their own stars. Bitsy is a "terrific toe hanger." Others are caring or leaders or have great ideas. Bitsy truly is a shining star in a constellation of all the stars in the classroom.

The author/illustrator explains her experiences being autistic in a letter to readers and a page "More About Autism." This is a special book for every classroom and library.

Highly recommended grades 1-4.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bitsy is so excited for her first day of school because she's ready to make some new friends. But things don't go as smoothly as she expects. Bats usually hang upside-down which makes it very difficult for her to sit in a chair. Her classmates also feel she's odd for using her feet to eat and draw with, but how can Bitsy change what feels natural to her? Going in with a bright attitude, Bitsy shines like a star to show them she isn't all that strange.

BITSY BAT, SCHOOL STAR is a cute first day of school picture book that teaches children about making friends and self-esteem. The illustrations are adorable and I'm in love with Bitsy's pink nose. I like how Bitsy doesn't try to change herself to fit in and instead owns up to it with her chin high--or upside down. One example is since she can't climb the monkey bars like everyone else, she flies alongside them. The other kids think she's cool for that and find themselves wanting to be a bit more like her.


Final Verdict: I would recommend this to children who are nervous about their first day of school. It would also do well in classrooms since it highlights being the best you can be in class.

[Katey Howes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bitsy Bat is nervous about her first night of school. She knows she's a big star - but so many things about her are different, and reactions to those differences build and build, bringing the big star to a major meltdown. With the help of a very supportive and loving family, a kind teacher, and a good idea for ways to share what makes each critter special, Bitsy's next night at school goes a lot more smoothly! The upside-down art, cozy and creative settings, fun school friends, and adorable Bitsy Bat family make this book very inviting and enjoyable. Kids will be wanting to come back to it again and again. The message of acceptance for neurodivergence and the supportive back matter on the topic are top notch. My kids - who use noise-cancelling headphones just like Bitsy's to navigate noisy situations - could really have used more books like this to feel seen and special when they were smaller.

[Mónica Mancillas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely adorable book, full of warmth and hidden depth. Bitsy Bat is nervous for her first day of school. And when she gets there, it seems all her worst fears have come true. The loud noises are overwhelming, the lights are too bright, she doesn't fit in with her classmates. Bitsy Bat has a five-star meltdown. But with the help of her supportive family, Bitsy figures out how to use her differences to stand out in the best way possible - and show her peers how to embrace their own differences. Kaz Windness's kid-friendly language and endearing illustrations make the big topic of neurodivergence heartwarmingly accessible. The terms and definitions included at the back of the book also provide parents and educators with the language to introduce young readers to neurodivergence and autism in a way that feels genuinely inclusive.

[Rachel Werner · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Bitsy Bat, School Star" is a vibrant, playful picture book by Kaz Windness. The book focuses on Bitsy, a little bat ecstatic about starting school. However after a very stressful first day, Bitsy doesn’t want to go back. She explains to her parents how she felt like she doing everything wrong, plus feels like she doesn't belong. Her parents help Bitsy to remember that it is okay that she does things different from the other children and that she is still their "shining star." This ultimately gives Bitzy a marvelous idea!

This picture book beautifully illustrates how lots of kids feel when they are the only person in their class who eats, looks like, or does something a little bit differently. It also is a related example for children of what it looks like to celebrate everyone in an authentic and affirming way.

[SeasonsOfKidLit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blurb: Bitsy Bat, School Star, by Kaz Windness and Simon & Schuster, follows Bitsy Bat, a shining star, who navigates the world in her own, unique, neuro-diverse way. When it’s time for school, Bitsy Bat is nervous! She practices and practices and feels like she’s not ready, but has to start school anyway. Can Bitsy Bat fit in just by being herself?


Lynne Marie says: Children, with and without autism, will connect right away to Bitsy Bat and her school worries. After following Bitsy’s journey to acceptance, they will be inspired, like her, to find their own way to shine! The story is compelling and the art adorable, which makes for a fun read for back-to-school, Halloween, or any time!

Reviewed by seasonsofkidlit.com