The Minnow picked this out in the library the other day. The crazy creatures are fun, especially the elephant-cat. I had to stop after a bit and ask her how she feels about "capturing" animals. I told her zoos don't do that anymore. I was also disturbed by the racist images of Asians and Africans (not named as such but obvious). Luckily, I don't think the Minnow understands what they are supposed to represent...the people just look as strange as the creatures. I noticed they've updated other books to remove the stereotypes (like The Nose Book) and it would be nice if they could do the same here: maybe it could be about saving endangered creatures or seeing them in nature.
If I Ran the Zoo
(1950, Fiction - For Beginning Readers, Written by Dr. Seuss, Illustrated by Dr. Seuss)Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say there are great illustrations |
| 100% | of parents don't feel there are good role models |
| 100% | of parents don't think the messages are positive |
Have you read it? 
Most Recent Reviews
Parent & Educator Reviewers Say | Kid Reviewers Say
- I rate this title iffy for age 3 and give itMy concerns are:
- Negative role models
- My highlights are:
- Great illustrations
Keep in mind it's from the 1950s...
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
Lesson for Life
Great story for the imagination of kids, but there's also a meaning that has stayed with me my whole life. Even though the main person in the story says he would do all these wonderful things, in the end we realize they don't really exist. Many could not even function in real life. Before I got into management, I often wondered at the great things I would do "If I ran the Zoo". It took becoming one to realize that many of those things also don't exist in real life!
- I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it
Great story, but the pictures can be VERY stereotypical of certain minorities...
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
