If I Ran the Zoo
by Dr. Seuss

This 1950 Caldecott Honor Book showcases some of the most fanciful creatures Dr. Seuss has ever illustrated, along with the magical machines used to bring them to the zoo. If I Ran the Zoo is a parade of make-believe creatures—what visitors would see if a young boy named Gerald McGrew ran the zoo. The charm, playfulness, and originality of the illustrations shows the depth of talent of the incomparable Dr. Seuss.

Tie-in Activity: What-iz-et? With an older child, take turns drawing on a piece of paper to create an animal—the more outlandish the better—then name your new creation. Or let your younger child set up a pretend zoo, using stuffed animals and creative habitats—such as an armchair or the couch.