I’m happy to have Kaz Windness on the blog. Her creativity is inspiring and fun. It’s hard to think about her without smiling; spending time with her is like being invited to sit with the cool kids in middle school. Yes, I just rewatched 13 Going on 30 last week. She’s part of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of SCBWI where I am a member and it’s an understatement to say we have an embarrassment of riches in terms of talented and caring members. Kaz’s debut picture book, SWIM, JIM! is an adorable and beautifully crafted story of a crocodile who is afraid of swimming. Ironically, a book featuring an animal that I am actually afraid of, is about conquering fear. And guess what! I received an advanced copy, and am much less afraid after meeting Jim. Trust me, you’ll want this book. Go ahead and preorder it now, then you’ll have your copy on 5/31/22.
Kaz has a special giveaway for her blog tour (please comment here because I like reading the comments AND enter the rafflecopter to enter the giveaway.)
SWIM, JIM! GIVEAWAY! TO ENTER https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/dbdc290e1/
What were you like at the age of your target audience?
SWIM, JIM! is a picture book for children age 4-8. Here is a photo of me on my 5th birthday. My brother, Steve, is 3. I’m an October baby, and my mom always made the best Halloween cakes. She also read us piles of library books, which is where I discovered my love for picture books.
What inspires you?
I get inspiration from everything! I’m inspired by all kinds of art, including music, and funny and peculiar things I see in the world. SWIM, JIM! was inspired by a news article about a crocodile spotted crossing a canal on a pool noodle. I related to the poor crocodile, because I am not a good swimmer, either. When I get an idea, I like to doodle in my sketch book, and most of my book ideas begin this way.
What’s something you hope readers take away from your book?
I hope by reading SWIM, JIM! young readers will learn to face their fears and know that it’s okay to get help from the people in their life who care about them. Being afraid is something we all experience, but together we can be brave. Jim was afraid of the water, but once he faced his fears, he found out that water can be fun, too!
What’s next for you?
Besides celebrating SWIM, JIM! all summer long, I have two books coming out in 2023—WORM & CATERPILLAR (Simon Spotlight Books), and BITSY BAT, SCHOOL STAR (Paula Wiseman Books, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing), and more in the works!
If you’re in the Northern Colorado area on June 4th, stop by The Wandering Jellyfish Bookshop from 4-6pm to meet me and get your copy of SWIM, JIM! signed!
To learn more about Kaz’s books and her art:
Website: www.WindnessBooks.com
Links to all social media: https://linktr.ee/KazWindness
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KWindness
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karen.windness/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kazwindness/
Laura Roettiger Books 
Your books look amazing, Kaz! And facing fears is always an important subject to tackle. My mom had that same yellow and white tablecloth pictured in your birthday photo, and I’m now its proud owner:)
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How fun that you have the tablecloth from your childhood. I have a few things that were my mom’s and they are definitely treasures. SWIM, JIM! is really a great story of tackling fears and I may need to reread it a few times to address my own! Thanks for commenting and make sure you enter the giveaway via the rafflecopter! Good luck!
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Check out today’s blogpost! Kaz has a second chance giveaway! Click on the new rafflecopter link!
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Swim, Jim! sounds delightful! Congratulations, Kaz! I look forward to reading it
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Thanks for commenting, Shaunda. Delightful is the perfect description! Thanks for commenting and make sure you enter the giveaway via the rafflecopter! Good luck!
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So excited for this book!
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Fleur, I really loved it. The perfect combination of sweet and funny! Thanks for commenting and make sure you enter the giveaway via the rafflecopter! Good luck!
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Such a relatable topic, and not just for kids. Can’t wait to read. Congratulations, Kaz, your book sounds amazing.
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Exactly! I am surprised how many fears I have to deal with on a regular basis as an adult! It’s a wonderful book. Thanks for commenting and make sure you enter the giveaway via the rafflecopter! Good luck!
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Kaz and Jim both sound like lots of fun! I’m looking forward to reading SWIM, JIM!
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Janet, they are both super fun! I am sure SWIM, JIM! will be a favorite for a long time to come. Thanks for commenting and make sure you enter the giveaway via the rafflecopter! Good luck!
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I LOVE that cover!! And the irony is delicious!
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Jilanne, I was so impressed with Kaz’s ability to make Jim lovable and this book is totally sweet and a funny which are the perfect combination in my opinion. Thanks for commenting and make sure you enter the giveaway via the rafflecopter!
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I love a good conquering your fears story!! Just keep swimming, Jim!!
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Thanks for reading, Amy! Such a fun book. Don’t forget to enter the rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. Good luck!
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Your book looks adorable! Very clever how you came up with the idea for this story and developed it into something so relatable for kids. Congratulations on this upcoming book!
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Mia, thanks for stopping by and SWIM, JIM! is even better than it sounds. Enter the giveaway through Rafflecopter and good luck!
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What an adorable face-your-fears story! Love the cover and can’t wait to read! Congrats, Kaz! 😊
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Donna, check out today’s post! Kaz is doing a second giant giveaway via rafflecopter. It’s SWIM, JIM! plus a bunch of swag!
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I’m sorry — I Tweeted last night with your blog post and added the new rafflecopter link but your Twitter handle didn’t highlight. By mistake, I added an extra letter or two to it. I didn’t delete and redo because people had already liked and retweeted. But both the original blog post link and the new rafflecopter link works fine.
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Thanks for sharing!
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