As with any great story, this one starts with a girl. Actually, this story starts with three girls. When Attorney Bill Waddell’s three daughters were in elementary school, Bill loved reading to them as many fathers do. Although story after story could be found about princess fairytales, animal adventures and even real-life heroes, he discovered that very few children’s books dealt with the law or social justice issues. It was important to Bill not only that his daughters learn these values, but also that they understand how Bill’s profession contributes to these values.
As with any great story, this one starts with a girl. Actually, this story starts with three girls. When Attorney Bill Waddell’s three daughters were in elementary school, Bill loved reading to them as many fathers do. Although story after story could be found about princess fairytales, animal adventures and even real-life heroes, he discovered that very few children’s books dealt with the law or social justice issues. It was important to Bill not only that his daughters learn these values, but also that they understand how Bill’s profession contributes to these values.
Bill, who has practiced law with Friday, Eldredge & Clark for more than 30 years as a commercial litigation attorney, is devoted to the law and his clients. One aspect of his devotion is his pro bono work to ensure justice for all. He works tirelessly as a volunteer for those in need, but who cannot afford, legal services. Most notable is his commitment to the Clarendon Mid-Delta Medical Legal Partnership where he has been exposed to many situations that involve children.
“So I began to think about how to relate those issues to children in a story,” Bill said. His story titled the “Palindromic Pledge” was the result.
Bill thought it still needed something more before it was published. Like most good children’s books, this one needed visuals to help tell the story Bill had masterfully laid out.
“A friend told me about Beka Duke, a college student who is a storyteller through her drawings,” Bill said.
“She read the story and developed concept drawings which we discussed, leading ultimately to her illustrations in the book. She captured key points of the story and has meaningfully expanded them in a way that words cannot.”
The story begins on the last day of fourth grade for students Anna and Rocio. They are given a homework assignment to complete over the summer and turn in on the first day of fifth grade. Part of their assignment is to pick one line from the Pledge of Allegiance and talk to another person about what it means to them. They must write a summary of what that person says and how it makes the girls think differently about the meaning of the Pledge.
Although the two characters come from very different backgrounds, the two form a tight friendship over the summer as they work on their school project. By the start of the 5th grade, they each have a new appreciation for the Pledge of Allegiance and have a better understanding of the true meaning of “justice for all.”
Through a partnership with the Arkansas Access to Justice Commission, the book is now published online and is free to download. The organization works to ensure that all Arkansans get the protections of the law and encourage attorneys to do pro bono work for families who are unable to otherwise afford them.
Bill is proud of the book and the lesson it teaches. He also understands the significance of telling a story about our justice system in a way that kids can relate.
“I wrote it both as a story for older elementary aged children to expose them to basic issues about social justice and as a tribute to my wife and daughters, who are all deeply committed to the lives of children.”
Click here to download your free copy of the book “Palindromic Pledge.” (Click the image at the top right to download)
To learn more about Arkansas Access to Justice, visit their website.
Teachers and schools who are interested in finding out more about the book and how it can be used in the classroom, contact author/attorney Bill Waddell at (501) 370-1510 or [email protected].
You can find more of Beka Duke’s work on Instagram and Etsy.