News and Stories

Book signing and early purchase opportunity at the Zoo on June 18

CINCINNATI, OH (June 15, 2018) – Saving Fiona®, a new book written by Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Director Thane Maynard and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers, will be available nationwide this Tuesday, June 19.  The book tells the amazing, true story of baby hippo Fiona and the team of scientists and caregivers who nursed her to health after she was born six weeks premature.
Can’t wait until Tuesday?  Get an advance copy at the Zoo on Monday, June 18.  The author will be signing books from 10am – 1pm in the Zoo’s Gift Shop.
“I travel all over the world, and people ask me about Fiona wherever I go.  Happily, I can tell them that she is thriving and is a normal young hippo,” said Cincinnati Zoo Director Thane Maynard.  “She is here today because the Zoo care team never gave up on her.  I wrote this book to share the incredible events that occurred behind the scenes in the weeks following the baby hippo’s premature birth.  It’s a story about how a community rallied to save a baby hippo and fell in love with her.”

The 48-page, photo-packed book is targeted toward elementary school-aged readers but will appeal to all Fiona fans.  It covers the famous baby hippo’s milestone moments and includes some interesting facts about hippos and Africa.
Maynard’s dozen book credits include a contribution to Jane Goodall’s 2009 release, Hope for Animals and Their World.  He is donating all proceeds from the sale of Saving Fiona to the Zoo.
In addition to the Zoo appearance on 6/18, Maynard will host these book signings and discussions for Saving Fiona:

• Wednesday, June 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Blue Manatee Books, Oakley
• Saturday, June 23 at 2 p.m. at Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Norwood
• Monday, July 2 at 4:30 p.m. at Blue Marble Books, Ft. Thomas, Ky.

The book can be ordered on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Indiebound.