Skip to Content

Worlds of Words: Center of Global Literacies and Literatures

Open a book . . . Open a mind . . . Change the world!

Worlds of Words is committed to creating an international network of people who share the vision of bringing books and children together, thereby opening windows on the world. We encourage thoughtful dialogue around global literature so that children can reflect on their own cultural experiences and connect to the experiences of children across the globe.

The center holds an estimated 40,000 volumes of children’s and adolescent literature focusing on world cultures and Indigenous peoples. Additional holdings include original art from published picturebook illustrators and other artifacts. Housed at the University of Arizona, College of Education, Worlds of Words has a large collection space along with a special collections room, studio, offices, visiting scholar office, and a classroom. The space is open to the public and used for a variety of events and functions.

Resources

On Demand

PD Spotlight: Worlds of Words

Kathy Short provides information about Worlds of Words.

On Demand

Imagination Friday with David Bowles and Charlene Bowles

Join us for an amazing adventure! At this event, David and Charlene will talk about their graphic novel, Rise of the…

On Demand

Imagination Friday with Max Brallier

Meet Max Brallier, author of the Last Kids on Earth series. Max will share the highly anticipated sixth book in…

On Demand

Imagination Friday with Kevin Noble Maillard and Juana Martinez-Neal

Join us on Friday, December 11, 1:00 to 1:45 to meet Kevin Noble Maillard and Juana Martinez-Neal and hear about…

On Demand

Imagination Friday with Molly Idle and Beth Ferry

Join us on Friday, December 4, 1:00 to 1:45 to meet Molly Idle and Beth Ferry and hear about their…

On Demand

Imagination Friday with Gordon C. James

Join us on Friday, November 13, 1:00 to 1:45 to meet illustrator Gordon C. James, and hear about his new…

On Demand

Imagination Friday with Andy Griffiths

Join us on Friday, November 6, 1:00 to 1:45 to laugh with international superstar, Andy Griffiths, all the way from…

On Demand

Imagination Friday with Michael Rex

Come join Imagination Friday at 1 p.m. October 30, 2020 for some fantastic fun! At this event, We’re Going on…

On Demand

Imagination Friday with Sherri Duskey Rinker

Register for Imagination Friday followed by a Q&A with Sherri at 1 p.m. on October 23, 2020. Those who register…

On Demand

Imagination Friday with Christina Soontornvat

Join Christina Soontornvat in this exciting Imagination Friday online presentation of her book "All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of…

On Demand

Imagination Friday with Jon Scieszka and Steven Weinberg

Meet the author and illustrator of AstroNuts, a new series by Jon Scieszka and Steven Weinberg.

On Demand

Imagination Friday with Rashin Kheiriyeh

Join WOW and the Tucson Festival of Books to meet Rashin Kheiriyeh, author/illustrator of a new picturebook, Bahar the Lucky.