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...

Prepare for the 2026 Tucson Festival of Books! This WOW Currents covers the notable authors/illustrators attending for children's and teens.

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...

This month, Cynthia discusses the impact of A Sea of Lemon Trees by Maria Dolore Aguila for WOW Recommends Book of the Month.

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.

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...

Librarians emerge as first responders in the fight for democracy and our First Amendment Rights.

Closing 2025, Yoo Kyung and Junko present a WOW Dozen on nonfiction for Asian American history that includes picturebooks and chapter books.

This author's corner explores the work of Jose Pimienta, an author/illustrator who visited Tucson to meet with the Middle School Reading Ambassadors.

This month, Cynthia Ryman recommends a visual narrative by Italian illustrator Alessandro Sanna, which depicts the history of war.

November's WOW Currents discusses how manga can be used in the classroom, with recommendations of fiction and nonfiction manga for teens.

This WOW Dozen presents twelve titles that offer examples, and sometimes instruction, on initiating conversation and play between people of all abilities.

This month, Rebecca recommends the inspiration for Studio Ghibil's Spirited Away: The Village Beyond the Mist by Sachiko Kashiwaba.

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Learn about Imagination Fridays, presented by Worlds of Words and the Tucson Festival of Books, every Friday at 1pm - 1:40pm.

The Last Straw: Kids vs. Plastics Written by Susan Hood Illustrated by Christiane Engel HarperCollins, 2021, 48 pp ISBN: 978-0062981394 From the introduction to the “News You Can Use” at the end of th...

This month Monique Storie presents a dozen titles that feature Pacific Islander characters, inspired by the phrase "I am a child of the village."

For September's Currents, Kathy Short explores trends in global children's literature, highlighting titles from around the world.

A traveling exhibit featuring international books for and about young people with disabilities makes its U.S. debut in the Worlds of Words Center.

To celebrate the start of a new school year in August, Angelica Serrano shares titles to explore and embrace differences with students in read alouds.

Next month is September, World Kid Lit Month: the time to explore the world through international and translated children’s books. September is a busy month for many of us, so how can we get …

August's WOW Dozen brings together a dozen picturebooks on empathy, showing how children can help others and encouraging helping in communities.

Podcast Episode · WOW Reads · 06/18/2025 · 24m

This month, Janine Schall shares a dozen titles that celebrate hair and all that it can mean for different people and communities.

The May WOW Recommends Book of the Month is Guojing's graphic novel, Oasis, a touching narrative about family set in a post-apocalyptic landscape.

From a picture book about whales to middle grade books on rescuing red wolves and honeybees, these informational texts will encourage burgeoning environmentalists to take on a cause.

Join the Worlds of Words Center Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP) as we discuss Dear Manny by Nic Stone.Nic Stone is open and warm, just like her favorite color -- orange. We discuss her commentary on l...