If I Were in Charge the Rules Would Be Different
not part of a series
on Goodreads (20)
What’s inside...
A delightful collection of poetry, filled with hilarious characters including General Mary Rumpus, the leader of the war on vegetables, and Billy Snuglag, who picks teams as well as his nose, features odes to spaghetti, stinky feet, and baths.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
76 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Child (Unnamed)
Discussion points
What rules would you make if you were in charge for a day?
How do you think others would feel about the rules you create?
Can you think of a rule that would make things fair for everyone?
Why is it important to have different rules in different situations?
What is one rule from the book you agreed with, and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own ideas of a fun or fair rule to set the stage for open conversation.
Use specific examples from the book to guide discussions on why certain rules were made.
Encourage empathy by asking how they think their rules would affect their friends and family.
Discuss the outcomes of different rules in the book and relate them to real-life scenarios.
Praise creative and thoughtful responses to foster a positive environment for sharing ideas.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The story shows the protagonist making rules which they must also abide by, teaching the importance of being responsible for the consequences of one’s decisions.
Real-World Application: Children learn to understand that their actions have impacts and they should think carefully when making decisions or rules that affect others.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: As the main character creates rules, they realize the importance of considering others' feelings and perspectives.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to put themselves in others’ shoes to understand their feelings, promoting kindness and consideration in their interactions.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Problem Solving
Explanation: The protagonist imagines different scenarios and creates unique solutions, illustrating creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Children are motivated to use their imagination to creatively solve problems they encounter in school or play.
Example Lesson: Leadership
Explanation: By being in charge, the character in the story learns to lead and make decisions, highlighting what it means to be a fair and effective leader.
Real-World Application: Teaches children about the qualities of good leadership, such as fairness and decisiveness, that they can emulate in group settings.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: The book showcases how different rules can lead to different outcomes, teaching children about cause and effect.
Real-World Application: Kids learn that their choices have consequences, helping them to make more thoughtful decisions in their daily activities.