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Parents' Guide to

Zoo Baby

By Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

A lonely boy and a zoo animal share a mild adventure.

Movie NR 1960 59 minutes
Zoo Baby Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 8+

Based on 3 parent reviews

bigmoviefan2020
bigmoviefan2020 Adult
November 25, 2020
age 12+

Boring film

PG: some brief, mild peril with a scene of carnage
movieraterandlover2020
movieraterandlover2020 Adult
July 12, 2020
age 5+

Tense movie-relatively short movie

This movie sucked! It was damn bad! It had some tense peril in the movie-relatively short-scene. I think 5+ could watch this movie. PG: brief mild peril.
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Pip has come from his beloved home in Nairobi to go to school and live with his childless, but caring aunt in England. It's a big change, and he's trying hard, but can't help but feel sad, angry, and out of place. A visit to the zoo finds Pip identifying and sympathizing with "Peggy," a South American coati mundi (a small mammal) who, like Pip, has been transplanted to England. When he hears people talking about "starving" an animal, Pip misunderstands and sets out to save Peggy. The rescue is easy; the aftermath is not. Pip's good intentions lead to lies, trouble, and a concerned, but furious aunt.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (3 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

ZOO BABY is a visit to a rarified theatrical past; the simple story, unsubtle performances, and larger-than-life incidents will seem quaint to today's kids.

But there are some very likable elements here: the adorable little animal, Pip's struggle to feel comfortable and loved in his new home, and, finally, the intrigue that's always appealing -- will Pip fool everyone else in the village and save the day?

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Pip's first lie snowballed into major trouble for him. Has that ever happened to you? Did you learn from the experience?

  • Some things, like wanting to be liked and have friends, have not changed since 1960 when this movie was made. Other than the obvious (like clothes, transportation), how and why is life different today?

  • Did you agree with Mary's decisions when she discovered Peggy in Pip's room? What should she have done to be more helpful?

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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