Author’s Corner: Jose Pimienta

By Rebecca Ballenger, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

Author/illustrator Jose Pimienta, or Jo to those who know them, spends a lot of time on their feet running cross country, taking long walks near home and exploring new places. On a recent visit to Tucson, the Middle School Reading Ambassadors were curious about what goes on in Jo’s mind during these solo activities. “Everything,” they reply. Continuing, “I think about how my day is going. I think about what is currently happening in my life. The most recent song I heard, the book I read a month ago but still have so much to say about, or the comics I believe deserve more recognition, etc. I have fictional conversations with people I want to talk to. I think about my current projects and how to make them better. Or I think about what I’d like to eat next. But, every once in a while, I’m just looking at my surroundings without thought.”

Jo’s busy brain is put to good use as a cartoonist, author and illustrator who has worked with Random House Graphic, Iron Circus Comics, Dark Horse Comics and the Disney Digital Network. Their books include Suncatcher (YA), Luminous Beings (YA), Twin Cities (MG), Halfway to Somewhere (MG), The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur (MG) and Let’s Rumble (picturebook). This body of work provides a range of readers multiple ways to connect. Their work is relatable for those who see their family and friends in the characters or who relate with the thoughts and concerns we have as we grow and learn about ourselves and those around us. Continue reading →

Invest In Youth as Readers 2025 Final Update – We Did It!

Over the summer, a group of young readers met in Worlds of Words for a focus group to better understand their needs as readers. They expressed a desire for more social connection. This connection certainly happens between peers in the program, and it also is a function of a wider community who connects in digital spaces like their Instagram or podcast feeds.

Middle schooler smiles next to an adult holding a clipboard

A Middle School Reading Ambassador shares her sketch with author and illustrator, Jose Pimienta, at a cartooning workshop run by the artist. Pimienta flew to Tucson for the workshop and provided special edition books to participants who bravely shared their work.

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WOW Dozen: Engaging with People of All Abilities

By Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

Some children have disabilities; many people will gain a disability in their lifetimes; and all people benefit from engaging with the disability community. These facts may be uncomfortable for people who don’t have disabilities and don’t have much interaction with people who do; however, engaging in accessible activities and inclusive communication eases discomfort and brings new understandings and joy. These twelve titles offer examples, and sometimes instruction, on initiating conversation and play between people of all abilities. Continue reading →

Invest In Youth as Readers 2025 Update

Contact Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Associate Director

It may seem sweet to have adorable kids engaging in the quaint act of reading, but we see ourselves on the cutting edge of children’s literature with plenty of opportunities for digital connection. The sustained focused reading we do with the hard copies of our books combined with the energy from so many bagels not only helps us gain new perspectives on the world, it helps us with the persistence to learn new technologies. This year, we will record the fourth season of our podcast, WOW Reads, while growing into additional digital spaces. This may include video, and it will most certainly include creating interactive graphics like the one below.

Click here to view the accessible version of this interactive content Continue reading →

WOW Recommends: The Village Beyond the Mist

October is the month to shine for cosplayers and Trick-or-Treaters. One of the most popular costumes in the last two decades has been that of No-Face from the movie, Spirited Away. This 2001 fantasy/adventure movie was inspired by the book, The Village Beyond the Mist by Sachiko Kashiwaba. Although the movie draws inspiration from the book, the story and atmosphere vary significantly.

The middle grade novel begins with Lina setting off from home under direction by her father to find Misty Valley. With some effort and a little magic, she arrives at Picotto Hall. She’s told by the proprietor that she must work for her keep. Each week, Lina visits a new shopfront where she is presented with tasks to complete and fantastical people who need help. Any one of the wise and caring characters in The Village Beyond the Mist can serve for costuming inspiration as do the characters in Spirited Away. Continue reading →

Invest In Youth as Readers 2025

Contact Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Associate Director

Worlds of Words renews our commitment to make a meaningful impact on middle and high school readers through the Worlds of Words Center Reading Ambassador program. Since its inception in 2018, the Reading Ambassador program has been instrumental in creating a community for young people around reading, equipping them with real-world skills and experiences that extend beyond the pages of a book. We hope that you will contribute to the success of the Reading Ambassadors by participating in our crowdfund campaign at crowdfund.arizona.edu/wow.

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IBBY’s 2025 Selection of Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities

A new traveling exhibit featuring international books for and about young people with disabilities makes its U.S. debut in the Worlds of Words Center in time to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The books in this exhibit show how children around the world can read independently, learn alongside their peers and enjoy all life has to offer.

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WOW Dozen: Picturebooks to Encourage Empathy and Helping

By Cherish Kisto (Gila River Indian Community), Tohono O’odham Community College, Haivana Nakya, AZ, with Rebecca Ballenger, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

Our world is intrigued and distracted by the Internet and social media, which may desensitize children towards their peers. This list focuses on empathy because in the real world, plenty of us seem to lack, provide or teach it. Empathy here is expressed in multiple ways depending on the person and situation. Common topics that come up in this set are communication and play with people of varying abilities, community supporting one another using different helping methods and acknowledging and accommodating a character’s mental health. This booklist also includes stories of people working towards empathy through policy, societal change and inclusion of communities of people who have been historically oppressed. Additionally, this WOW Dozen allows readers to consider how empathy can be extended to the natural world and how we can protect it while enjoying its beauty. Children who engage with books that feature empathy may be better able to perceive real-life experiences and react to those with a more empathetic understanding of and helping attitude towards their peers. Continue reading →

Cepeda Stories: Everyone Has a Story to Tell

By Rebecca Ballenger, Associate Director, Worlds of Words Center

Joe Cepeda stands next to a wall of sketches.

Photo courtesy of Joe Cepeda

Cepeda Stories: Everyone Has a Story to Tell begins with the assertion that each one of us has unique life experiences that are worthy of sharing. This Spring 2025 exhibit of original art by award-winning illustrator, Joe Cepeda, challenges visitors to share their stories. The exhibit is free and open to the public at the Worlds of Words Center in the University of Arizona College of Education. Continue reading →

Invest In Youth As Readers: Certificate of Completion

Contact Rebecca Ballenger, Associate Director of Worlds of Words

We did it! Thank you for your support attending and promoting our event with author Karen S. Chow, listening to the WOW Reads podcast, and donating to ensure the program continues for another year. We appreciate you!

large group photo of reading ambassadors with certificates

Photo by Bob Bingham Photography

You don’t have to wait for our next crowdfund campaign to support the work of the Worlds of Words Center. Learn more about how we can promote global children’s literature together on our giving page.

WOW Currents is a space to talk about forward-thinking trends in global children’s and adolescent literature and how we use that literature with students. “Currents” is a play on words for trends and timeliness and the way we talk about social media. We encourage you to participate by leaving comments and sharing this post with your peers. To view our complete offerings of WOW Currents, please visit its archival stream.