Fourth-grade students from Chicot Elementary School in the Little Rock School District are preparing to share the final draft of a children’s book they co-authored with students from Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, as part of an international literacy and cultural exchange project titled “Words Across the Water.”
The project connected students from Chicot Elementary School with students from St. Vincent’s Catholic Primary School and St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School in Newcastle, one of Little Rock’s sister cities. Throughout the school year, students participated in Zoom meetings, collaborative writing sessions, and creative exchanges, allowing them to learn about each other’s schools, communities, traditions, and cultures while working together to create an original story.
The result is a student-created book titled “From the Arkansas to the Tyne: A Robot’s Tale,” a transatlantic adventure that blends the imagination and voices of students from both cities. The project was developed in partnership with acclaimed children’s author Richard O’Neill, MBE, book designer Michelle Russell, Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books in Newcastle, and the Clinton Presidential Center.
On Monday, May 11, students presented the final draft of the book during a special event at the Clinton Presidential Center. The event featured remarks from Little Rock School District Superintendent Dr. Jermall Wright and Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr., a live student reading of the story, and a panel discussion with students from both countries participating virtually. Special guests from Newcastle, including the Mayor of North East England, Kim McGuinness, will also join the event via Zoom.
“This project is a powerful example of what happens when students are given opportunities to think creatively, collaborate globally, and use their voices in meaningful ways,” said LRSD Superintendent Dr. Jermall Wright. “Our students not only strengthened their literacy and communication skills, but also built connections across cultures and discovered that storytelling can bring people together from all around the world.”
Wendy Elliott, CEO of Seven Stories, added, “Words Across the Water shows what becomes possible when young people are trusted to lead with their imagination. Watching students in Newcastle and Little Rock create a shared story across an ocean has been extraordinary. At Seven Stories, we believe children’s voices should travel far and shape the world around them. This project is a beautiful example of that in action.”
Organizers say the completed book will serve as a lasting reminder of the importance of literacy, cultural understanding, and student voice. The final published version is expected to debut during the 2026 Six Bridges Book Festival hosted by the Central Arkansas Library System this fall.