If I Were In Charge of the World and Other Worries By: Judith Viorst

This has long been my favorite collection of poetry to share with my students. The poems are funny and right on the mark for my 4th and 5th grade students. The poems have a common theme; the everyday worries, thoughts and daydreams of elementary aged kids. The subjects range from friends and bullies to homework and parents. The best thing about them is that if you look past the hilarious lines, just under the surface there are some really important messages for kids. Namely that they are not the only ones who are feeling the things that they are feeling. This is the title poem from the book. Enjoy.

If I Were in Charge of the World

If I were in charge of the world

I'd cancel oatmeal

Monday mornings,

Allergy shots, and also

Sara Steinberg.

If I were in charge of the world

There'd be brighter night lights,

Healthier hamsters, and

Basketball baskets forty-eight inches lower.

If I were in charge of the world

You wouldn't have lonely,

You wouldn't have clean.

You wouldn't have bedtimes,

or "Don't punch your sister."

You wouldn't even have sisters.

If I were in charge of the world

A chocolate sundae with whipped cream and nuts

would be a vegetable

All 007 movies would be rated G

And a person who sometimes forgot to brush and

Sometimes forgot to flush

Could still be in charge of the world.

By: Judith Viorst