Hello, friends! Our book today is Fiona’s Friends, written by Dr. John Hutton and featuring photographs by the Cincinatti Zoo and Botanical Garden, a sequel to the adorable Fiona’s Feelings starring the internet’s favorite little hippo, Fiona.
Baby Fiona is back, this time with a whole crew of equally adorable young denizens of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens. After a quick intro featuring Fiona, the reader then meets ten other species of baby or juvenile animals, including favorites – such as a giraffe and tiger cub – and less familiar creatures such as a takin and an aardvark. Each creature is introduced by name and a short, baby-friendly sentence about their personality. At the end, the text cheerfully points out that all of Fiona’s friends are different and special, just like you!
Oh. My. Cuteness. This was a delightful yet engaging yet adorable romp through some irresistible baby animals, and it was a joy. I really appreciated the inclusion of animals that aren’t in every other baby animal book, like the red panda and a white-feathered baby flamingo; it gave JJ a chance to learn the names of some new animals while also letting her recognize familiar ones. This sequel manages to fix the issues from the first book – all the photos are clear and showcase the animals perfectly, and the rhyming text is bouncy, fun to read, and full of charm. This was just wonderful, and perfect for little ones who love to look at furred, feathered, and of course, Fiona friends. Baby Bookworm approved!
(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)