Worlds of Words Center
@wowlit.org
Books, Stories, Reviews, & Currents for educators focusing on global literature for young people. Housed in the University of Arizona College of Education. https://wowlit.org
Children learn to cook as a practical preparation for adulthood & as a bonding activity that connects them to family & community. And, of course, sharing food can be an expression of love. Enjoy these 12 titles on preparing, sharing & eating food. wowlit.org/blog/wow-doz... #BookSky
WOW Dozen: Preparing, Sharing, and Eating Food
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We conducted an analysis of international children's & adolescent books published in the U.S. with our colleagues @usbby.bsky.social. Read our reports, access the data & play with interactive maps on our website => wowlit.org/resources/in... #BookSky
International Book Reports
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Protect students' right to read! Guide students as they deal w/#censorship! Read my @wowlit.org WOW Review of graphic novel "Wake Now in the Fire" by Jarrett Dapier, illustrated by AJ Dungo. #TLSky #EduSky we must uphold #FirstAmendment rights! journals.librarypublishing.arizona.edu/wowreview/ar...
Wake Now in the Fire Review
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A Home on the Page by Kao Kalia Yang & illustrated by Seo Kim sheds light on both overt and subtle forms of racism and its impact on those targeted by it. #WOWRecommends #BookSky wowlit.org/blog/wow-rec...
WOW Recommends: A Home on the Page
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Invite students to examine how Black communities across the world use storytelling, music, hair, family memory, spiritual traditions, migration & resistance to preserve identity & reclaim place in this text set from our July WOW Currents. #EduSky #BookSky wowlit.org/blog/global-...
Global Representations of the Rural Black Experience in Children's Literature
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That's a "WRAP" on season 4 of the WOW Reads podcast. In the teen's finale, they discuss slow reading, share the joy of art, & thank their parents & caregivers. Enjoy the whole season by visiting the WRAP blog. wowlit.org/go/wrap-blog #BookSky #TeenVoices
WRAP | Worlds of Words Center for Global Literacies and Literatures (University of Arizona)
Posts in this collection are created by middle schoolers and teens in the Reading Ambassador Program, highlighting their reflections on reading, literature and learning. Learn more about our Reading A...
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We are increasingly separated from how we grow, harvest & distribute what we eat. This #WOWDozen list includes fiction & nonfiction books that can help children think about where their food comes from. Visit our website to add your favorite food production-related titles. wowlit.org/blog/wow-doz...
WOW Dozen: Growing, Producing and Distributing Food
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All the Blues In the Sky by Renée Watson, a novel in verse about adolescent grief, healing & hope, is this month's #WOWRecommends! wowlit.org/blog/wow-rec... #BookSky
WOW Recommends: All the Blues in the Sky
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Daniel Nayeri talks function & form, the beauty of the delayed punchline & a broad spectrum of his work in this Authors' Corner by @reblnation.bsky.social. He also shares his love for teachers who "pour a lot into you." wowlit.org/blog/authors... #EduSky
Authors' Corner: Daniel Nayeri
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Looking for innovative ways to celebrate #PrideMonth2026? #TLSky #EduSky please take a moment to learn about Read With Pride Relay UK founder Kate O'Connor's radical response #RadicalSchoolLibrarianship in support of teens' #FreedomToRead on @wowlit.org WOW Currents blog. wowlit.org/blog/readwit...
The #ReadWithPride Relay: Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Books and Authors
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This WOW Dozen presents titles that feature characters traveling to a new world, whether dropped in suddenly and finding a way back home or discovering magic that leads to fantasy lands in search of answers. #Isekai wowlit.org/blog/wow-doz...
WOW Dozen: Books that Drop You into New Worlds
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WOW Recommends: The Lions' Run by @sarapennypacker.bsky.social "To not only withstand but resist [Nazi] cruelty is evidenced in [this] story of an orphan boy who determinedly embraces the opportunities he sees to be human in a world that is so much less so. wowlit.org/blog/wow-rec...
WOW Recommends: The Lions' Run
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The Orbis Pictus Award from @ncte.org (National Council of Teachers of English) recognizes excellence in the writing of nonfiction for children & commemorates Johannes Amos Comenius' Orbis Pictus (1657), considered the first book planned for children. wowlit.org/blog/orbis-p...
The Orbis Pictus Award: Reflections from a Recent Committee Member
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Middle schoolers process heavy topics in this recap of their experience reading "The Freedom Seeker" & meeting @ruchiragupta.bsky.social at the Tucson Festival of Books in this WOW Reads podcast episode. wowlit.org/blog/wow-rea...
WOW Reads: S4, E5 - The Freedom Seeker by Ruchira Gupta
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Join us for in-person PD: explore translanguaging & language diversity, & develop strategies for interacting with familiar & unfamiliar languages in a picturebook workshop for educators. Cost $40, with materials, lunch & certificate. Limited spots. Details & registration: cercll.arizona.edu/wowpd26/
WOW recommends, Vida: The Mice, the Cat, and the Alebrije by Duncan Tonatiuh. The book celebrates the strength of community as a modern-day fable inspired by Aesop’s story of the belling of the cat. #BookSky @ wowlit.org/blog/wow-rec...
WOW Recommends: Vida
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Share: A dozen picturebooks that can touch the hearts and minds of young people (and their educators and parents): "Picturebooks to Build Empathy for the Experiences of Immigrant and Refugee Children." #TLSky #EduSky #kidlit @worldsofwords.bsky.social WOW Dozen page: wowlit.org/blog/wow-doz...
WOW Dozen: Picturebooks to Build Empathy for the Experiences of Immigrant and Refugee Children
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Celebrate International Children's Book Day #ICBD2026. Read / share global #kidlit #mglit #yalit books. #TLSky #EduSky learn about the ASLA #Diversity in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand Children's Book Award (DANZ) on the @worldsofwords.bsky.social Currents blog! wowlit.org/blog/diversi...
Diversity in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand Children’s Book Award (DANZ): A New Initiative to Shine a Light on Authentic Literature for Youth
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Join Worlds of Words & @cercll.bsky.social for a 2-day workshop to engage in experiences & books that invite students to immerse themselves in an appreciation & awareness of the multiple languages in their lives & world. Details & registration: wowlit.org/event/multil... #Edusky
Multilingualism as Stance
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To open any news source today is to witness stories of migration: opinions about "home," journeys connected to these & challenges along the way. Wildlife Crossings of Hope reminds us that these stories of movement, loss & survival extend beyond human experience. wowlit.org/blog/wow-rec...
WOW Recommends: Wildlife Crossings of Hope
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"Authors and illustrators become people I know rather than just a name on a book cover, and I read their books with greater insight and connection," says Kathy Short of Tucson Festival of Books sessions. wowlit.org/blog/2026/02...
Grow Your Book Stack at the 2026 Tucson Festival of Books • Worlds of Words
Prepare for the 2026 Tucson Festival of Books! This WOW Currents covers the notable authors/illustrators attending for children's and teens.
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Teen Reading Ambassadors discuss disability experiences in K-12 literature in this ep of WOW Reads. Text set incl portrayals of disability & accessibility features with inspo from the 2025 IBBY Outstanding Books for Children with Disabilities honor list. worldsofwords.buzzsprout.com/2080893/epis...
WOW Reads: TRAP Considers Disability Experiences in Literature - WOW Reads
Join the Worlds of Words Teen Reading Ambassadors as we discuss disability experiences in K-12 literature.Books mentioned:Red Apple (picturebook), by Tadahiro OgawaFlutter Forest (picturebook), concep...
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A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez by Maria Dolores Águila provides an emotional look into the events leading up to the 1931 court battle in which 12-year-old Roberto Alvarez stood against racism and school segregation in Lemon Grove, CA. #WOWRecommends wowlit.org/blog/2026/02...
WOW Recommends: A Sea of Lemon Trees • Worlds of Words
This month, Cynthia discusses the impact of A Sea of Lemon Trees by Maria Dolore Aguila for WOW Recommends Book of the Month.
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Explore multiple perspectives of the Partition of 1947, which lead to the creation of Pakistan through the redrawing of boundaries in India. This month’s two-part WOW Currents looks at children’s literature that share these perspectives. Part 1: wowlit.org/blog/2026/02...
The Partition: 1947, Part 1 • Worlds of Words
This month, Seemi Aziz explores children's literature that provide Hindu and Muslim perspectives on the Partition of 1947. Part one looks at four books.
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Over 40 educators, artists & members of our community participated in our Mock #Caldecott competition. We named one clear favorite & four honor books. Our Middle School Reading Ambassadors share their perspectives on the process in a bonus episode of WOW Reads. www.buzzsprout.com/2080893/epis...
WOW Reads: Bonus - Our Mock Caldecott 2026 Prediction - WOW Reads
Join the Worlds of Words Center Reading Ambassadors (RAP) as we recap our experience around predicting the 2026 Randolph Caldecott Medal winner for picturebook illustration.In this episode, we discuss...
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Join @azpm.org for a screening & panel discussion of The Librarians, a powerful documentary exploring libraries, censorship & the freedom to read. We’re excited to highlight Rebecca Ballenger, our associate director, as one of the panelists. www.eventbrite.com/e/join-azpm-...
Join AZPM for a Screening and Panel Discussion of The Librarians
Librarians emerge as first responders in the fight for democracy and our First Amendment Rights.
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This WOW Dozen booklist highlights individuals whose creativity, resilience & courage reshape their fields & expand how young readers understand the diverse contributions of Asian & Asian American communities. #BookSky wowlit.org/blog/2025/12...
WOW Dozen: The Visibility of Asian and Asian American Stories in Young Readers’ Nonfiction Books • Worlds of Words
Closing 2025, Yoo Kyung and Junko present a WOW Dozen on nonfiction for Asian American history that includes picturebooks and chapter books.
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Jose Pimienta's books provide a range of readers multiple ways to connect. In this profile, they reflect on these connections, their approach to life & work, & their favorite ways to engage with readers. wowlit.org/blog/2025/12...
Author's Corner: Jose Pimienta • Worlds of Words
This author's corner explores the work of Jose Pimienta, an author/illustrator who visited Tucson to meet with the Middle School Reading Ambassadors.
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"Old as Stone, Hard as Rock of Humans and War" is a book that must be experienced and deeply reflected upon, according to this month's WOW Recommends by Cynthia Ryman. #books #VisualNarratives #AlessandroSanna wowlit.org/blog/2025/11...
WOW Recommends: Old as Stone, Hard as Rock of Humans & War • Worlds of Words
This month, Cynthia Ryman recommends a visual narrative by Italian illustrator Alessandro Sanna, which depicts the history of war.
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Aika explores ways manga can be used to encourage global literacy with high school students specifically, both inside and outside the classroom. wowlit.org/blog/2025/11...
Promoting Global Literacy with Manga Inside and Outside the Classroom • Worlds of Words
November's WOW Currents discusses how manga can be used in the classroom, with recommendations of fiction and nonfiction manga for teens.
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