Bridges Across the World: Explore Outstanding New International Books

In honor of International Children’s Book Day, join us at the Worlds of Words Center to explore the books named to the 2023 USBBY Outstanding International Book List. This award list of 40 books for readers in preschool to high school reflects the best international books published in 2022. These books were first published in countries outside the U.S. and so are truly international books whose excellence have led to re-publication in the U.S. These books play a critical role in building bridges of international understanding by inviting readers into the lives of people living in global cultures. This session will be led by Kathy Short and Holly Johnson who served on an OIB award committee.

Come for an enjoyable time of books, conversation and food as we read, talk and eat. Find new books for the readers in your life.

Join us to:

  • Get the inside scoop on this award committee.
  • Receive a short intro to the books and themes on the 2023 award list.
  • Browse, read, and discuss the award books.
  • Learn about additional books that were our favorites but did not make the list.
  • Receive materials on International Children’s Book Day.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to browse the 2022 IBBY Honour books that come from 60 countries who select one illustrated book and one written book as the best children’s books from their countries. The WOW Center is the only location in the U.S. to receive this set of books, providing a rare opportunity to see the top books published for children in other parts of the world.

International Children’s Book Day is celebrated to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children’s books. This global book day is scheduled around the birthday of Hans Christian Anderson on April 2. Greece sponsors this year’s materials and posters.

Free parking is available at the surface parking lot north of the intersection of First and Vine. Sometimes free parking is available at the Second St. Garage next door to the College of Education. The WOW Center is also located just off of the 2nd St. Modern Streetcar stop.

To request disability-related accommodations that would ensure your full participation in this event, please email wow@arizona.edu or call 520.621.9340.

We will meet in the Worlds of Words Center, Room 453, College of Education, 1430 E. Second Street.

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Worlds of Words Celebrates International Children’s Book Day

By Alexandria Hulslander, Intern, Worlds of Words

Worlds of Words in the University of Arizona College of Education celebrates International Children’s Book Day with a special exhibit of international honor books for children and adolescents. Lithuania, this year’s host country for ICBD, provides the theme, “Books Help Us to Slow Down.” ICBD has been celebrated for over half a century on the birthday of Hans Christian Anderson, April 2. WOW’s display is free and open to the public from March 25 to April 6.

Carolina Hoyos Slow Reading for International Children's Book Day Continue reading