Early Book Review: Fiona, Love at the Zoo by Richard Cowdrey

Fiona, Love at the Zoo by Richard Cowdrey is a picturebook scheduled for release on November 15 2022. Join your favorite hippo, Fiona, the adorable internet sensation from the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, as she visits her zoo friends and celebrates how love makes the world more beautiful. Learn with Fiona as she discovers how different animals show their affection and love.

Fiona, Love at the Zoo does a great job of making the animal illustrations fun, cute, and welcoming to all age groups, but still looking realistic rather than completely cartoonish. It is a hard balance to reach, but I think Cowdrey does a good job here. The text is very accessible, and the rhymes are sweet and fun without being cloying. I loved getting a glimpses of so many of the Cincinnati Zoo's residents, and so many different behaviors we consider affection in their family units. I think this is well done, and I will admit to going back for a second look at the illustrations- they are just well done and adorable.