There's a Zoo in My Basement Book Summary More than anything in the world, six-year-old Randy loved animals?all kinds of animals. He especially loves to tell Ms. Riley, his next-door neighbor, about the zoo he has in his basement. When Ms. Riley starts asking questions about his zoo, he is more than happy to tell her all about his animals. He tells her what they eat, describes what they look like, how he gets them, and much more. This unlikely friendship teaches Randy how to trust someone with his most treasured secret. There Is a Zoo in My Basement is an absolute fun adventure into a little boy's imagination.