"Young Gerald McGrew thinks of all sorts of unusual animals he'd have in a zoo. Dr. Seuss at his best."--Horn Book.
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Sep 21, 2010
Laura
rated it: 
Might be a little on the long side, but the imaginative concept is terrific.
The book does have some physical racial stereotyping, which has engendered some very negative emotional reactions from some readers. Certainly they are noticeable, but consider when the book was published (1950). Because our world has become so racially sensitive, are we now to set aside all books that have racial insensitivities? That would mean setting aside Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, The Color Purple More...
The book does have some physical racial stereotyping, which has engendered some very negative emotional reactions from some readers. Certainly they are noticeable, but consider when the book was published (1950). Because our world has become so racially sensitive, are we now to set aside all books that have racial insensitivities? That would mean setting aside Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, The Color Purple More...
Jun 23, 2011
Cindi
rated it:
This is Dr. Seuss at his best; the imaginary beasts, imaginary places, and imaginary contraptions used to capture them are rhyming tongue-twisters. From the Mulligatawny captured in the Desert of Zind to the Tufted Mazurka captured on the African island of Yerka, each creature is more fantastic than the last. Even though many of the places where Gerald McGrew captures his wild beasts don't really exist, it would be fun to look at a globe and find places with strange names that do exist. More...
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Nov 18, 2011
Lafcadio
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There are many criticisms of the racial stereotypes in this book, but considering when it was written is useful in overcoming these.
The aspect of the book that I had trouble with is the general theme. The protagonist spends time imagining all the strange, rare creatures he will capture to live in his zoo, using all means of lures and/or force to get them. Clearly, he is removing (very rare, probably endangered) animals from their native homes simply for the viewing pleasure of his cus More...
The aspect of the book that I had trouble with is the general theme. The protagonist spends time imagining all the strange, rare creatures he will capture to live in his zoo, using all means of lures and/or force to get them. Clearly, he is removing (very rare, probably endangered) animals from their native homes simply for the viewing pleasure of his cus More...
Oct 20, 2011
1.Picture Book, Controlled Vocabulary
2.Dr. Seuss writes an interesting story about a character named Mr. McGrew. Mr. McGrew visits a zoo that he states needs changes to make it unlike other zoos. his ideas for changing the zoo to "McGrew Zoo" are hilarious. The animals he envisions being in the new zoo are truly unlike what we are used to. Create story that combines literature with poetry.
3.
a.Controlled Vocabulary
b. The use of controlled vocabulary really adds ti th More...
2.Dr. Seuss writes an interesting story about a character named Mr. McGrew. Mr. McGrew visits a zoo that he states needs changes to make it unlike other zoos. his ideas for changing the zoo to "McGrew Zoo" are hilarious. The animals he envisions being in the new zoo are truly unlike what we are used to. Create story that combines literature with poetry.
3.
a.Controlled Vocabulary
b. The use of controlled vocabulary really adds ti th More...
Oct 23, 2010
Dr. Seuss, or, Theodore Seuss Geisel, has an immaculate sense of timing and cadence of words that transform words into a march of musical poetry. Once again, the story's main character, a young boy, has fabulous ideas of how he would transform the zoo where he the Zookeeper. As he views the zookeeper placidly standing next to a sleeping lion, the youngster begins to daydream of the far away lands and places he would go. In these lands, with complex apparatus, he would find and catch an assort
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Dec 06, 2011
Dominick
rated it:
Writing while cats rotate through one's lap is a challenge, and this book was in reach, so I whipped through it while having my lap warmed. It's not prime Seuss, but it's still a lot of fun. Its slightness is a function of the absence of anything in the way of real narrative--it's just a sequence of increasingly (more or less) whimsical animals our narrator, Gerald McGrew, imagines he'd have in the zoo if he ran the place. The real delight is in the illustrations themselves, which feature a rema
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Jan 22, 2011
Kathryn
rated it: 
Mainly due to the phrase "helpers who all wear their eyes at a slant", I can not recommend this book. I was surprised and not expecting to encounter such a statement in a Dr. Seuss book. Guess that showed me. Luckily, I tend to read ahead in my mind and skipped that entire part when reading to my children. People who excuse such comments based on when the book was written annoy me. Because the book was written in 1950, that makes it ok for me to read it to my kids? I do not think so. O
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Mar 06, 2010
Ronda
rated it:
Great read-aloud, especially when the kids get into the rhythm (and are waiting for you to get tongue-tied). Much fun.
I had an epiphany with this story after sharing a Rookie biography of Dr. Seuss with my classes. One of the things the bio pointed out was that Seuss wrote his first story to the rhythm of a ship's engines. I hadn't put 2 and 2 together before, but realized that you can keep time to a good reading of this story--and had my kids keeping the beat as I read. Of cou More...
I had an epiphany with this story after sharing a Rookie biography of Dr. Seuss with my classes. One of the things the bio pointed out was that Seuss wrote his first story to the rhythm of a ship's engines. I hadn't put 2 and 2 together before, but realized that you can keep time to a good reading of this story--and had my kids keeping the beat as I read. Of cou More...
Nov 01, 2011
Jadalynn
rated it: 
This is a picture book for primary readers, it is also a Randolph Caldecott Medal and Honor book. This book is about a young boy who tells us about what he would do if he could run the zoo. I think most Dr Suess books lend themselves very well to a younger classroom and this one is no exception. I love the fact that there are made up animals in here. It gives the children a chance to sound out a completely unfamiliar word. I think I would take the name of each animal and write it on an index car
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Nov 23, 2009
Wendy
rated it:
I don't believe in banning books, but I wish I had been warned about this book. There are, to me, very offensive depictions and descriptions of Asians and Africans in this book. When I turned the page and saw the "helpers who all wear their eyes at a slant", I felt as though a hand had reached up and slapped me.
I love many of Dr. Seuss's books and their messages, but I'll have to let this one by. It's just too hurtful.
I love many of Dr. Seuss's books and their messages, but I'll have to let this one by. It's just too hurtful.
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May 01, 2011
Amy
rated it:
In the classroom, this book can be used in many ways. It could be used to teach about creative writing, rhyming, and imagination. Students could write their own story about if they ran the zoo, the mall, or any other place. If reading out loud to a class, this is definitely a book you would want to practice before hand due to the odd, made-up words. Nevetheless, this book is enjoyable to read and listen to.
May 14, 2009
Kathy
rated it:
John asks for this a lot. It's a fun book about all kinds of crazy animals that a boy imagines finding for his zoo. As always lots of fun Rhymes to help with those early phonemic awareness skills as well as great pictures to keep the boys' interest.
John's favorite part: the second to last page that shows the zoo with all the animals. He asks me what they are called one by one and I have to make something up.
John's favorite part: the second to last page that shows the zoo with all the animals. He asks me what they are called one by one and I have to make something up.
Mar 31, 2009
McLean
rated it: 
While this book has some great flights of fancy and imagination, it suffers from a lack of any substance or focus to that. When you also add in that Seuss relies on some unfortunate racist caricatures for a few of his visual gags in this book, it is a hard book to recommend. Of interest to the Seuss completist, but by no means essential, and not quite something I'd feel comfortable reading to children.
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Nov 14, 2009
Sarah
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Gerald McGrew in If I Ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss explains to the zoo keeper how he would do things differently if he were in charge. The regular "exotic" animals would be out and a host of outlandish animals would take their place.
The book is written in Seuss's typical anapestic tetrameter which makes it easy to read aloud with comedic flare.
My son who is an avid inventor of monsters loves this book for all the unusual animals. I personally thought most of Seuss's More...
The book is written in Seuss's typical anapestic tetrameter which makes it easy to read aloud with comedic flare.
My son who is an avid inventor of monsters loves this book for all the unusual animals. I personally thought most of Seuss's More...
Jan 22, 2012
Jillian
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This is one of my favorite books, when I was a child I loved listening to the rhyming words and how each animal was unique and different in there own way. I think this is a fun book that children would love to read and that it would stimulate their imagination.
May 10, 2010
Renate
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Features horribly racist depictions of rickshaw-toting Asians and pot-bellied Africans with bones through their noses (honest to god, dr. seuss, what were you thinking?!) and runs on for far too long with many irritating rhymes. Dislike.
Nov 18, 2010
Kristi
rated it:
Ooooh, as soon as I saw this one, I knew it was a 5 star. I instantly knew exactly the book and what happened in it. I could probably quote it for you. Well.... okay maybe not quote but yeah, I'm quite familiar with it.
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Dec 29, 2009
Teresa
rated it:
Seuss is the ultimate whimsical children's writer, his talent in playing with words is astonishing and amuses almost everyone no matter how old they are. People of every age will love and cherish this book for ages.
Aug 03, 2011
Ian
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This book marked the first appearance of the word "nerd" in print, though the connotation was entirely different than its current usage. Surprisingly there are one or two rather non-PC spots in this book.
Aug 27, 2011
Spring
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My favorite Dr. Seuss book and one that is a perfect read aloud for all ages. Looking for a fun picture book to read aloud? This is a good place to start. We've got several copies in our library.
Feb 12, 2009
Claire
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It was a second- or third-tier choice for us, I think the drawings weren't as confident; and the animals are pretty darn zany! Not that they're too zany or anything.. much..
Jan 29, 2012
F1nest
rated it:
Favorite Dr. Seuss book from my childhood - by farrr! Have distinct memories of reading this book in bed with dad(dy?) at least 10 different times from 3-5 years old.
Jan 16, 2011
Erica
rated it:
1951 Honor. Typical Seuss. Rhythmic, fun characters, primary colors. Young Gerald McGrew would set all the animals free, and start over with fantastical creatures.
Aug 24, 2009
This book's main claim to fame is that it was the origin of the word 'nerd', which in the story refers to a bird which appears bespectacled, if I recall correctly.
Mar 09, 2009
Evan
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This is one of Seuss' funniest books. I laughed aloud several times. He's at the height of his rhyming and illustrative powers. The visuals are breathtaking.
Jan 08, 2012
John
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I had never read this Suess book before. Great Seussian character designs, and fun rhymes of course, but loses a few points for outdated racial stereotypes.
Sep 21, 2011
Nid
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Seuss and his imagination gone wild!!! Great fun read..I myself am not a critic..I see this book in a child's point of view!! It's extremely delightful..
Dec 10, 2008
Alexis
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if i ran the zoo is about a little boy named gerald mcgrew who was imagining HE was in charge of the zoo.he imagined there was a ten leg lion!
Apr 03, 2009
Anne
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OK, so it's not one of MY favorites, but my students always loved it! Anything with animals (even fake animals) attracts the kids.
