If I Ran the Zoo

My brother also bought Layne a Dr. Seuss collection for Easter. We read If I Ran the Zoo.

This was written in 1950 and it shows. Some of the helpers Gerald would employ to capture the animals for his phenomenal zoo are not PC; Namely the tribal Africans and Asians and even the little Russians. They're all stereotypical and reminiscent of a less enlightened time.

But...the rhymes are sweet and Layne loved the Iota with its blue hair. This would probably be a good book to bring up when he's older to show him what racism looks like.

I can't say it’s bad. It’s still Dr. Seuss. It’s like my grandmother who still used racial slurs until her dieing day. You hate it but you still are obligated to love it.