WOW Review: Volume XVII, Issue 3 • Page 2 of 12 • Worlds of Words

Introduction and Editors’ Note

We are witnessing the breakdown of global relationships that took decades and centuries to build. This group of books can serve as a counter narrative to that fracturing, placing value on developing relationships to promote peace and community. The first title in this issue, The Duel, introduces this theme as two characters prepare to walk, turn and shoot. One protagonist, however, keeps walking into a community that changes his perspective, and eventually leads him to write a letter to invite his opponent to talk rather than shoot. The final title, Yellow Butterfly, acts as a bookend to The Duel. This wordless book from Ukraine uses images to depict the effects of war on a young girl, as she hopes for peace symbolized by a yellow butterfly that eventually multiplies, reflecting her determination to stop the conflict and hold onto peace. Three Tasks for a Dragon moves peacemaking into a fantasy world in which a young prince is tasked with rescuing a young woman from an evil dragon, only to discover that he can promote the well-being of his kingdom by working with the dragon and the young woman to defeat an evil stepmother and queen.

Several titles portray the process of getting to know another. Like You, Like Me is based on the real life pen pal correspondence between a young girl in New Mexico and another in Tanzania. Full of curiosity, they eventually move past details that highlight the different settings they live in, and move on to the dreams that they share. Similarly, The Legend of Tiger and Tail-Flower is a humorous story of a tiger who becomes friends with the flower growing from the tip of his tail. Over the course of one growing season, the two characters weather skirmishes and fun times to eventually become best friends. In contrast, The Rock in My Throat relates the life experience of the author as she learned English as a new immigrant, and decided to stop talking as a form of resistance to the rude behavior of people in the community.

Several titles involve relationships within a family. A grandmother mentors her granddaughter in noticing and appreciating nature in With a Butterfly’s Wings, eventually passing on a respect for the importance of all of nature. In The Invisible Elephant, a mother and father carefully nurture the curiosity and development of the senses of their young daughter who is blind. Through visiting a zoo, attending art class, or learning Braille, the young girl’s vivid imagination, coupled with her family’s support, turns life into an adventure. An award-winning title from Uzbekistan (not yet available in English) tells of another adventure with life-altering insights. Two cousins magically shrink and learn a lot about life as they travel in the Country in My Grandfather’s Stomach: A Journey of Wisdom and Wonder. Finally, Home is a poetic and visual homage to what makes a home and how home can be lost, emphasizing that home can be many places or situations, but involves the people who walk alongside us in love.

We invite you to read and think with these titles and consider submitting a review for future issues. Please refer to calls below and the submission guidelines.

Volume 17, Issue 4 (Summer 2025- submission deadline July 15, 2025) – Themed issue on climate change and environmental concerns. The editors welcome reviews of global or multicultural children’s or young adult books published within the last three years that address concerns for the environment, such as climate change, recycling or repurposing, or sustainable practices that support green living. The titles should include a call to action.

Volume 18, Issue 1 (Winter 2025 – submission deadline: September 1, 2025) – Open theme. The editors welcome reviews of global or multicultural children’s or young adult books published within the last three years that highlight intercultural understanding and global perspectives.

This issue is the final one in which Maria Acevedo-Aquino is co-editor. Working together has been a great joy as well as a sharpening experience as we learned together and built on each other’s strengths. The partnership was rich!

Susan Corapi, co-editor
María V. Acevedo-Aquino, co-editor

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