1. Activism
2. Art techniques
3. Book design
4. Citizenship
5. Climate change
6. Decision-making
7. Government
8. Imagination
9. Narrative techniques
10. Social justice
11. Visual literacy

Answers to the proposition from the title of this book vary widely and are appropriate for the intended audience of middle to upper Primary classes. Some responses take a global view mentioning gender equality; environmental concerns such as pollution of the oceans; and creating an inclusive multicultural society. These contrast with simpler, more child-centred ideas, such as a robot to feed and change a baby sibling; sharing money from the tooth fairy with children in need; hanging rainbows in the sky to promote happiness; and adding an extra day to each week just for fun. The serious ideas are balanced against some fun and fanciful ideas such as teaching koalas how to do karate.

Diverse children are represented in this book, and they demonstrate curiosity, courage, imagination, and multiple perspectives as evidenced by the variety of the tasks that might be expected from an Australian Prime Minister.

The open-ended question posed on the last page is sure to generate meaningful conversations with a group of students. This book could also be used when students are preparing their own school leadership speech and when they are studying Australian government and the role of the Prime Minister. The ideas in this book could also be linked with the United Nations Rights of the Child.

The stylized, bold illustrations have an art deco look and will draw readers. There are humorous extra details on many pages add to the appeal. The repeated text structure makes this an easy book to read. Beck and Robin Feiner are a wife and husband writing team.

1. Harper Collins Teaching notes for “’If I was Prime Minister’ by Beck & Robin Feiner https://www.lamontbooks.com.au/media/121869/publishers-notes-if-i-was-prime-minister.pdf
2. ReadPlus 19 July 2018. Fran Knight reviews ‘If I was Prime Minister’ by Beck & Robin Feiner https://www.readplus.com.au/reviews/if-i-was-prime-minister-by-beck-and-robin-feiner
3. Beck Feiner website https://www.beckfeinercreations.com/pages/about
4. Momo Celebrating Time to Read Blog29 August 2022. Explores other books on this topic https://momotimetoread.blogspot.com/2022/08/how-to-be-prime-minister-and-survive.html
5. Harper Collins Activity sheet for ‘If I was Prime Minister’ https://dhjhkxawhe8q4.cloudfront.net/harpercollinscomau-wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/08162032/If-I-Was-Prime-Minister-Activity-sheet.pdf