  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 07/01/2018 PreS-Gr 1—A wonderful photo essay about Fiona, a baby hippo that was recently born premature at the Cincinnati Zoo. The story begins with the zoo receiving two hippos, Bibi and Henry, after 20 years hippo-less. Maynard describes basic facts about captive hippos (how zoo visitors love hippos, how they spend most of their time in their 70,000 gallon pool) before segueing into the challenges of caring for a pregnant hippo and Fiona's much celebrated birth. The narrative, accompanied by detailed photos, describes how staff cared for Fiona, emphasizing how important teamwork was in contributing to her health and growth. The phenomenon of Fiona on social media (#FionaFix) is briefly mentioned and the book ends with more hippo facts and an image of Fiona posing for her first birthday party—with cake, of course. From the photos to the message of a committed and caring staff, this book highlights a realistic approach to zoo care and the preservation of animals. VERDICT Bound to be a popular selection among young readers. An easy win for nonfiction collections.—Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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