Baby Brother Fritz Featured in New Book YOU’VE GOT THIS, FIONA
Grand Rapids, MI—August 7, 2023— Zonderkidz, the children’s division of Zondervan, is pleased to announce that its New York Times bestselling series “Fiona the Hippo” book products have now sold over 500,000 copies in all formats in just under five years. The beloved children’s books are inspired by the world’s most famous real-life hippo, Fiona, who resides at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.
Zonderkidz celebrated the milestone during a recent book and media tour last week in Cincinnati, for the release of the seventh picture book in the series, You’ve Got This Fiona: A Book about Change. The book features artwork from New York Times bestselling illustrator and Cincinnati native, Richard Cowdrey, who started sketching Fiona when she was a newborn. Inspired by her survival story, Cowdrey approached Zonderkidz in 2017 and the first book idea was born. Cowdrey grew up going to the Zoo while living in Cincinnati.
Fiona is a worldwide internet sensation and the star of the award-winning Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, thanks to her spunk and the fighting spirit that helped her overcome all odds when she was born six weeks premature in January 2017. She is now over six years old and much heavier than her 29-pound birthweight.
“The team here at Zonderkidz has loved sharing Fiona with children around the world through stories influenced by this amazing hippo’s persistent, ‘I’ve got this!’ spirit,” says Megan Dobson, VP and Publisher of Zonderkidz. “We appreciate working alongside the Zoo and helping them support their mission.”
For the first time in the book series, the real-life Fiona’s new baby brother Fritz was included in the story and art. Fritz’s first birthday was August 3, and a birthday celebration at the Zoo in conjunction with the book’s release was held last week featuring a 3 hour book signing, birthday cake and watermelon treats.
Fiona the Hippo books are available in many formats – hardcovers, board books, library editions, I Can Read editions, as e-books, audio books and more. The first book in the series, Fiona the Hippo hit the The New York Times bestseller list shortly after releasing in 2018. The full list of Fiona books and much more information can be found at www.fionathehippobook.com.
About the book:
You’ve Got This, Fiona: A Book About Change
Illustrated by Richard Cowdrey
On sale August 1, 2023
$18.99 Ages 4 – 8
From Zonderkidz, a division of Zondervan, a HarperCollins company
Content: In this perfect read-aloud book, Fiona learns about the changing seasons of the year and how, even when things change around you (or a new baby brother is born), true friendship, family and love stay the same.
About the Illustrator: Richard Cowdrey is well known for illustrating many beautiful children’s picture books, including the New York Times bestseller Fiona the Hippo and Bad Dog, Marley! Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Cowdrey graduated from The Columbus College of Art and Design. Richard’s love for family and nature overflows into his illustrations which are enjoyed by children around the world. The artist lives in Ohio with his wife and has four grown children and five grandchildren. When not painting in his studio, Richard enjoys visiting schools to share with children his love of illustration. Richard is available for interviews, school visits and store and library story time events about Fiona.
About the Hippo: Fiona was born January 24, 2017, six weeks before her due date. At 29 pounds she was very small for a Nile hippo. The whole world watched as Fiona learned to walk, eat and swim. Her challenges were big, but her spunk and incredible will helped her prevail time and again. Since her birth, millions of people from around the world have been pulling for Fiona to keep fighting. As she grew older, so did her social media following. Her hippo “bloat” at the Zoo now consists of Tucker, Fiona’s mother Bibi, and younger brother Fritz.
#FionatheHippo #TeamFiona #FionatheHippobook #Zonderkidz
About the Zoo: The world-famous Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is committed to inspiring visitors to care about wildlife and wild places. It has been rated the #1 attraction locally and one of the top zoos in the nation by Zagat Survey. It has also received rave reviews from Child Magazine, Parents Magazine, USA Today and TripAdvisor. Over 1.6 million people visit the Zoo’s award-winning habitats, and more than 500 animal and 3000 plant species annually.
About the Publisher: Zonderkidz™, the children’s division of Zondervan, inspires young lives through imaginative, innovative, and educational resources that represent a Christian worldview and build up God’s children and teens. For additional information, please visit www.zonderkidz.com.
Zondervan is part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. The company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com
