Leslie Macgoo Visits the Zoo is a delightful children's book that tells the story of young Leslie who dreams of visiting a zoo.  Then, on his birthday, his parents surprise him with a trip to the big city where he gets to see in person the marvelous animals he has only dreamed about until now.

This book was developed as a family project in 1961.  The father, John, was a graduate student at Iowa State University.  He drew most of the illustrations.  The mother, Winona, worked as a librarian to support the family.  She wrote the text.  Their two young sons, Martin (age 5) and Loren (age 3) helped with some of the illustrations, their childish scrawls adding charm to this gentle and engaging book.

The illustrations and handwritten text have been left in their original, unpolished format.  Leslie Macgoo Visits the Zoo evokes a simpler time, both in its story and in the method by which the book was created.  Children of all ages will enjoy this charming story and pictures.