Join the Worlds of Words Center Reading Ambassadors (RAP) as we recap our experience around predicting the 2026 Randolph Caldecott Medal winner for picturebook illustration.

In this episode, we discuss...

• Our understanding of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Caldecott committee's criteria and process for selection.
• How we used those understandings in determining our nomination and final voting.
• Our selection for the winning and honor books.
• How the experience informed our view of picturebooks.

We also would like to make a pitch to the Caldecott committee to include at least one youth member on the selection committee. We do understand it means reading 700 picturebooks.

Book Mentions:
Don’t Trust Fish, illustrated by Dan Santant
The History of We, illustrated by Nikkolas Smith
Every Monday Mabel, illustrated by Jashar Awan
Our Lake, illustrated by Angie Kang
Popo the Xolo, illustrated by Abraham Matias
Broken, illustrated by X. Fang

Special Guest: OIivia, Pine Reads Review Teen Intern

Additional Thanks: We appreciate the educators, artists and others in the community of picturebook lovers who attended the Worlds of Words’ 2026 Mock Caldecott event (all 40+ of you!) and helped us think more deeply about picturebook illustrations.

Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director
Literature Discussant: Kathy Short, Worlds of Words Director and U of A Regents Professor
Audio Engineer: Alexis Mendoza, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A First-year Student

For more information on the Worlds of Words Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP), visit wowlit.org.

Today’s podcast music is by Ievgen Poltavskyi.

###

We Can Promote Global Literature Together!

The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation.

Thank you for listening and keep reading!

Join the Worlds of Words Center Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP) as we recap our experience around Don’t Cause Trouble by Arree Chung.

In this episode, we talk about...

• Our Star Burger orders.
• Awkward moments in middle school life and being “halfway to somewhere.”
• Our creative processes, both digital and with physical media, in writing and illustration.
• The Cold War and Communism in China.
• We recommend this book for “the whole world."

This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the U of A College of Education.

Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director
Lit Discussant: Narges Zandi, U of A COE Graduate Assistant
Audio Engineer: Alexis Mendoza, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Art Major
Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Nursing Major
Digital Collaborator: Melanie Reyes, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A First-year Student

For more information on the Worlds of Words Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP), visit wowlit.org.

Today's podcast episode music is Claim to Fame - The Gray Room by Clark Sims.

###

We Can Promote Global Literature Together!

The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation.

Thank you for listening and keep reading!

Join the Worlds of Words Center Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP) as we discuss the refugee experience in children's literature.

Books mentioned in this episode:
"We Are Displaced" by Malala Yousafzai
"The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees" by Don Brown
"Ink Knows No Borders" edited by Patrice Vecchione and Alissa Raymond
"Internment" by Samir Ahmed
"From the Tops of the Trees" by Kao Kalia Yang and Rachel Wada
"To the Other Side" by Erika Meza
"Dounia and the Magic Seeds" by Marya Zarif
"A Star Shines Through" by Anna Desnitskaya
"We Are Not from Here" by Jenny Torres Sanchez

If you would like a copy of our ‘zine response to these books, please send a 6.5 X 9.5 self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE - flat rate for under 2 oz.) to: Worlds of Words Center - TRAP, U of A College of Education, 1430 E Second St, Rm 453, Tucson, AZ 85721

This podcast was recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL) in the U of A College of Education.

Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director
Audio Engineer: Alexis Mendoza, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Art Major
Coordinator: Vianey Torres, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Nursing Major
Digital Collaborator: Melanie Reyes, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A First-year Student

Today's Podcast Music was made by Nathan LaValley (Royalty Free Bossa Music).

For more information on the WOW Teen Reading Ambassadors (TRAP), visit wowlit.org.

###

We Can Promote Global Literature Together!

The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation.

Thank you for listening and keep reading!