I think it is such a shame that some reviewers so not see the value and beauty of Anthony Browne's Zoo. This story is meant to provide a platform for thinking, debate and inference and is a book I use every year with my pupils aged between 5 and 7. The passion and independence of mind that this book generates in the classroom is wonderful, many of my young pupils are able to understand Browne's opinions about Zoos and to understand that it is just that - an opinion. Encourage your children to debate and question these views rather than assuming they will accept them blindly. You may be suprised at their reaction to this book, every pupil I have ever taught reacts slightly differently to this text.
Browne's illustrations are a joy and horror in equal measures and his words say as much about some aspects of family life as they do about zoos, like the reality or not. I highly reccommend this text for anyone who wants to encourage open mindedness and inference in their children or pupils.