If I Had My Way

by Norma Klein, Ray Cruz (Illustrator)

Four-year-old Ellie dreams what her life would be like if she were in charge of her parents.

30 pages, Hardcover

First published January 12, 1974

About the author

Norma Klein was born in New York City and graduated cum laude and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa from Barnard College with a degree in Russian. She later received her master's degree in Slavic languages from Columbia University.

Ms. Klein began publishing short stories while attending Barnard and since then she had written novels for readers of all ages. The author got her ideas from everyday life and advised would-be writers to do the same -- to write about their experiences or things they really care about.

Ms. Klein died in 1989.

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ellie wants to have things her way, but her mother and father always seem to have a reason for doing things their way instead. But as she drifts off to sleep, she imagines things in reverse - with Ellie as the parent and the grown ups acting like kids.