If I were in charge of the world
I’d cancel facilitators,
Friday spellings,
Pizza bribes, and also
Questions at the end of the story.
If I were in charge of the world
You could read Charlotte’s Web and Flat Stanley
In any grade you wanted.
You could even read them twice.
If I were in charge of the world
There’s be a million million
Pages of delight,
Instead of thirty-two novels
Somebody else chose.
If I were in charge of the world
Nobody under age 40 would be badgered to read Moby Dick.
No books would come by decree,
And a person who said knock-knock riddle books with pop-up pages are a quintessential part of a reading program
Would still be allowed to be
In charge of the world.
Susan Ohanian 