Spring and summer in Greater Cincinnati always gets me excited about going to our fabulous Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens.  And for the last six years, when I think of going to the zoo, I wonder, “Will Fiona be out?  Will Fiona be awake?  Will Fiona smile at me?” I know I am not the only one anxious to see the spunky little hippo!

Fiona the hippopotamus has captivated people around the world since she was born prematurely on January 24, 2017.  She arrived full of sass along with the will to live, and we were in love.  She is so popular that books have been written about her.  And movies made about her!  Of course, Boone County Public Library has them all.  Whether planning a trip to the zoo or just interested in learning more about Fiona, these titles do a wonderful job capturing her spirit and her story, along with her zoo friends and family.


Toddler Books

Fiona the Hippo by Richard Cowdrey

Fiona’s Friends by John Hutton (also in Spanish)

Fiona’s Feelings by John Hutton


Beginning Readers

Meet Fiona the Hippo by Richard Cowdrey

Fiona Saves the Day by Richard Cowdrey

Fiona and the Rainy Day by Richard Cowdrey

Fantastic Fiona by Richard Cowdrey


Picture Books

My Best Friend Fiona by Lucy May

Fiona the Hippo by Richard Cowdrey (also in Spanish)

Fiona, It’s Bedtime by Richard Cowdrey

A Very Fiona Christmas by Richard Cowdrey

Fiona Helps a Friend by Richard Cowdrey (on order)


Non-fiction

Saving Fiona: the story of the world’s most famous baby hippo by Thane Maynard

Hip, Hippo, Hooray for Fiona!:  a photographic biography by Jan Sherbin


DVD/Streaming

Saving Fiona: the story of the world’s most famous baby hippo


Cindy Yeager has worked for the Boone County Public Library for almost 25 years, the last 17 as the Youth Collection Development Librarian.  She can’t imagine doing anything other than choosing books and AV for kids and teens, “It is truly my dream job!”