The book is written in anapestic tetrameter, Seuss's usual verse type, and illustrated in Seuss's pen-and-ink style.
If I Ran, the Zoo has been criticized for using racial stereotypes and caricatures. In a 1988 biography of Dr. Seuss, Ruth K. MacDonald notes the perceived presence of "occasional stereotypes of native peoples—potbellied, thick-lipped blacks from Africa, squinty-eyed Orientals" that "may offend some modern readers." A study published in the journal Research on Diversity in Youth Literature noted the perceived presence of dehumanizing stereotypes of East Asian, Sub-Saharan African, and Middle Eastern characters. The Canadian Book and Periodical Council's Freedom to Read project listed the book as having been challenged in 2015 for "insensitivity and ethnic stereotyping.
On March 2, 2021, Dr. Seuss Enterprises announced that If I Ran the Zoo and five other books would no longer be published due to controversy surrounding reportedly racist images within those books. Dr. Seuss Enterprises did not specify which illustrations were offensive, but since the book is about animals being collected from all over the world, several nations are depicted in stereotypical ways, for example, Nepalese, Chinese, African Pygmys, Persian, Turkish, and Cossack characters. 
This is a First Edition, Second Printing (1950) indicated by the title list on the back cover with the latest title listed being 'Bartholomew and the Oobleck', wublished in 1949. Seuss palso ublished 'Yertle the Turtle' in 1950  but is not listed on the back of this book, indicating tthat his copy of 'If I Ran the Zoo' is an early 1950 printing. The copyright page has 8eightlines of text (the first printing had only 7). The pictorial cover is worn through at the corners and spine caps with a 1.5" tear to the top of the spine strip and tape reinforcing the rest, but clean and bright. The boards and spine are straight. The binding is tight. The pages are clean overall and in very good condition; .uthe upper top left of the Lyleaf page has a inscription to Danny from Aunt May (1952). ; Random House, 1950. Hardcover. Condition: Good, No Dust Jacket. First Edition; Second Printing. 
 
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