Lima Beans Would Be Illegal: Children's Ideas of a Perfect World

by Robert Bender

In asking children the question "What do you think would make our world a better place?", this author has collected over a hundred charming, humorous quotes that will appeal to kids of all ages.

48 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2000

Reviews

[Katie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lima Beans Would Be Illegal features student generated ideas about what laws they think would create a perfect world including both silly and serious topics. This book would be an introduction to reading novels about utopian and dystopian societies and would be read before reading The Giver, where a community that seems to be very sheltered and safe becomes harmful and restrictive.
This book would be used as a mentor text for students to think about their own ideal society and the laws they would implement in order to create a perfect world. They can include some silly rules but would also be encouraged to include realistic changes to serve as a variation of an anticipation guide to keep in mind as they read The Giver. They will be able to look at the things they think would be encompassed in a perfect world before and after reading the dystopian novel and decide whether or not all good things are always good.

[Pat Salvatini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bender received thousands of responses to his question of what a perfect world would be like. Children were honest, insightful, and funny. Colorful illustrations grace each page of three quotes. Would make an excellent introduction to writing.

[Andreas R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember being absolutely obsessed with it this book as a kid. Fun illustrations with entertaining quotes from schoolchildren

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what we expected when we pulled it off the shelf. Chuckle worthy, interesting and insightful.