This week, I am posting the freshest writing I can find by a group of 1-3 grade kids who are part of a group called The Alders. The kids did a series of very honest poems that were based on the work of Judith Viorst, which I've listed first. The kids then used the same template and boom, wrote their vision. They were so honest, inspiring and true.


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 nights 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 G,
and a person who sometimes forgot to brush,
and sometimes forgot to flush,
would still be allowed to be
in charge of the world.

~ Judith Viorst

Here are a few of the kids versions

#1

If I were in charge of the world
everything would be powered by sunshine,
no money would be exchanged,
& I could stay up as long as I wanted.

If I were in charge of the world
I'd climb the biggest mountain, seven times in a row,
people would only trade for what they needed
& we could cut fewer trees.

If I were in charge of the world
I would save the rainforest but
people would still get what we needed
& people wouldn't need to power a car from gas,
we'd just use batteries.

If I were in charge of the world
we wouldn't need to make electricity,
there would be no violence
& parents would never hit a kid
who was in charge of the world.

If I were in charge of the world
I would make sure everyone was treated fairly,
people who wanted a job could have one
& everyone had enough food, water & people who loved them.

#2

If I were in charge of the world
I would make sure animals were treated fairly,
there was no war
& everyone was a vegetarian so no animals would die.

If I were in charge of the world
everyone would always eat Mac & Cheese,
& wear polka dots everyday.

If I were in charge of the world
I'd travel to different countries,
everyone would ride elephants & alligators
& I would run for president
where everyone would vote for me,
the person in charge of the world.

#3

If I were in charge of the world
I'd have a dad! That would be first.

If I were in charge of the world
I would be color blind,
I'd end world hunger for poor people
& for everyone.

If I were in charge of the world
I'd be a friend with everyone,
I'd help poor people
& I'd cook for everyone too.

If I were in charge of the world
I'd make everyone laugh,
I'd make world peace
& I'd make everyone recycle—that is
if I were in charge of the world.

Aren't they wonderful?