Zoo director Thane Maynard penning Fiona the hippo book

Shauna Steigerwald
Cincinnati Enquirer
Fiona made a her debut to the media in Hippo Cove at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Even with hardened media, there were plenty of "oohs" and "ahhs." Fiona was born Jan. 24, 2017 to parents, Bibi and Henry. The premature little hippo who would capture the world’s hearts, weighed only 29 pounds. Now, she’s 270 pounds and is slowing being introduced to her parents.

With Fiona, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden figuratively wrote the book on hand-raising a premature baby hippo.

Now, zoo director Thane Maynard is writing a literal book about the experience, which became an internet phenomenon. 

"Saving Fiona: Science, Social Media, and the Story of a Baby Hippo" is set for release on Jan. 22, 2019, just in time for Fiona's second birthday two days later, by major publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers.

Yes, that's a bit of a wait for Fiona fans. But Maynard thinks there will still be plenty of interest.

"Fiona has a shelf life," he said. "She'll be beloved a long time."

Targeted toward elementary school-aged readers, the book will be photo-heavy with simple prose. It will chronicle everything from the meeting of Bibi and Henry, Fiona's parents; to Fiona's birth, struggles and achievements; to her reunion with her parents

Maynard expects the book will get in front of a lot of young readers.

More:Fiona the hippo named honorary deputy by Hamilton County Sheriff's Office

"Houghton Mifflin is a big international publisher, so it will have a broad distribution," he said.

Maybe not as broad as Fiona herself, though: A single Facebook post about the hippo reached 50 million people, and the zoo's video views are soaring, with 119.7 million to date in 2017 (versus only 8 million in all of 2016).

Maynard said he's asked about the baby hippo everywhere he travels, and he's been as far away as Belize, Rwanda and Benin in West Africa.

"Hers is a great story to tell," Maynard said. "She herself is so compelling. But a big part of her story is all the people who've raised her."

Maynard is no stranger to publishing, having already written a dozen books. Most recently, he contributed to Jane Goodall's 2009 release, "Hope for Animals and Their World."

More:New flavor from Graeter's inspired by Fiona the baby hippo

The zoo director's portion of the proceeds from "Saving Fiona: Science, Social Media, and the Story of a Baby Hippo" will benefit the zoo. Money raised from this and other Fiona-related products – her face has graced everything from beer to ice cream to playing cards – has helped defray the costs of her care, Maynard said.

"I'm honored to get to do it," Maynard said of writing the book. "Telling Fiona's story is a great way to get people of all ages interested in wildlife and conservation. People do get inspired by individual animals.

"In 2017, it's Fiona's world and we're just living in it," he joked. 

Meet Team Fiona: What it's like to take care of the zoo's baby hippo