Worm and Butterfly Are Friends Always

This standout graphic reader will shine in any early reader collection. – School Library Journal * January 16, 2026 *A heartwarming story of found family that readers will flock to again and again. – Kirkus Review Starred Review * November 1, 2025 *

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 its sequel Worm and Butterfly Are Friends Always, and the Level 1 Ready-to-Reads Cat vs. Vac, Go! Go! Dino!, and Squid in Pants. 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.