Worlds of Words Center of Global Literacies and Literatures

Open a book . . .

Open a mind . . .

Change the world!

Worlds of Words: Center of Global Literacies and Literatures builds bridges across global cultures through children’s and adolescent literature.

Book the WOW Center for field trips, tours or event hosting! Use the green navigation bar to find field trips for more information. The Worlds of Words Center is located in the University of Arizona College of Education, Room 453.

WOW News
The shadow of a man in a window peers into an empty bedroom, a book open face up on a nightstand. The photograph is in black and white.Literary Identities, a new exhibit in the Worlds of Words Center featuring the De Natura Libris project, offers people the opportunity to examine themselves as readers. The exhibit also includes picturebooks where reading is central to the book or characters’ identities along with hands-on activities to encourage visitors explore their own identities as readers. Learn more about our Spring 2026 exhibit.

See our complete listing of all WOW News announcements.

WOW Currents
A child with a backpack runs with a dog through a mist covered field.The growth of dystopian novels for all ages has exploded in the last 20 years. A genre that addresses societal fears as well as aspirations, dystopian literature is often considered an essential part of literature/reading programs from middle school through university. This month’s WOW Currents explores the growth of the dystopia genre through the 20th century.

See our complete listing of all WOW Currents entries.

WOW Dozen
People from different ethnic backgrounds posing together.Asian American history and voices have long been rendered invisible in children’s and young adult literature, and nonfiction texts are no exception. This WOW Dozen brings together a range of nonfiction titles—including picturebooks, chapter books, informational texts and biographies—that offer renewed visibility for Asians and Asian Americans. These books highlight individuals whose creativity, resilience and courage reshaped their fields and expand how young readers understand the diverse contributions of Asian and Asian American communities.

See a complete list of Dozens in our WOW Dozen archive.

∞ WOW Stories, WOW Review and WOW Libros are accepting submissions. Our online journals are available to you without subscription, membership or fee requirements. We are proud to offer these journals and want to hear from you. E-mail us with questions, feedback and submissions.

WOW Stories
Image of a group of four young children rolling balloons in a tray of flour. In the back are two red balloons, while the children closer to the camera ar eusing green (left side) and white (right side).WOW Stories: Connections from the Classroom is a regular on-line publication of Worlds of Words containing vignettes written by educators about children’s experiences reading and responding to literature. If you would like to submit to WOW Stories, please see our current call and guidelines. ISSN 2577-0551

See our complete listing of all WOW Stories issues.

WOW Review
A child walks behind a cat, and a large white blob walks behind the child.WOW Review: Reading Across Cultures is a regular on-line publication of Worlds of Words containing reviews of selected books to be published quarterly. The reviews are careful examinations of the books, primarily focused on the cultural authenticity of the text and illustrations. If you would like to submit to WOW Review, please see our current call and guidelines. ISSN 2577-0527

See our complete listing of all WOW Review issues.

WOW Libros
Cover of Maria la dura en: no quiero ser ninja depicting a girl with short brown hair in a yellow karate gi, one hand extended to chop the viewer. She is in space and in the background behind her is a large ball of fire.WOW Libros: Leyendo entre palabras is a regular on-line publication of Worlds of Words containing Spanish-language reviews of Spanish-language books. If you would like to submit to WOW Libros, please see our current call guidelines.

See our complete listing of all WOW Libros issues

Journey through Worlds of Words during our open reading hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Exceptions include holidays and UArizona closures.

We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the O’odham and the Yaqui. Committed to diversity and inclusion, the University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings, partnerships, and community service.