Fiona Goes to School: Level 1

by Zondervan

Join Fiona the hippo, the adorable internet sensation from the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, as she and her friends start a zoo school to learn more about their fellow animals. 

Fiona and a few of her animal friends attend zoo school for the very first time and find out just how fun it is to learn new things in the classroom. Young readers will enjoy learning more about Fiona and her friends in this Level One I Can Read about the little hippo that has captured hearts around the world with her inspiring story and plucky personality. 

Fiona Goes to School? 

An endearing animal book that’s a perfect gift from parents and grandparents?   A sweet story about the importance of learning and being good listeners  A?Level One I Can Read story geared for children learning to read  Perfect for back-to-school reading, summer reading, birthday gifts, and holiday?gift-giving  Created?by New York Times bestselling artist Richard Cowdrey of Fiona the Hippo; A?Very Fiona Christmas; Fiona, It’s Bedtime; Legend of the Candy Cane; Bad?Dog, Marley; and A Very Marley Christmas fame  Fiona Goes to School?is one title in an I Can Read series that focuses on Fiona the hippo. Other titles Meet Fiona, Fiona Saves the Day, Fantastic Fiona, Fiona and the Rainy Day,?and?Fiona’s Train Ride. 

Genres: School, Picture Books, Childrens, Animals

32 pages, Paperback

Published May 3, 2022

About the author

Zondervan is an international Christian media and publishing company. Zondervan is a founding member of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA). They are a part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. and has multiple imprints including Zondervan Academic, Zonderkidz, Blink, and Editorial Vida. Zondervan is the commercial rights holder for the New International Version (NIV) Bible in North America.

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read]

This is an Easy to Read Children's book that I read with my twin boys. I really love this book, and I loved that Fiona just wanted a book to read to her. I found this book to be cute, and it was easy for my boys to read as well. We had so much fun taking turns reading the pages of this book. The pictures were fun and so cute. Great Children's book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Zonderkidz) or author (Richard Cowdrey) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

[Diana N.]

We love Fiona! This is a great early reader book.

This book did a great job keeping the interest of my first grader. The plot is creative in creating a school for all of the animals at the zoo. From a reading level perspective, this book had a good amount of repetitive and early elementary sight words to helps new readers that aren't real confident yet.

As with many of the other Fiona books, the bright illustrations are fantastic! A lot of little ones are going to like this book.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy of this lovely children's book for my honest review.

[Carla]

Fiona and her friends at the zoo have been watching children visit the zoo regularly. Fiona asks her mother about school, and she and her young friends decide they would like to go to school as well. They start "Zoo School". When Mr. Elephant, their teacher, begins teaching about elephants, the students want to learn about other things. They start speaking out, sharing what they thing they should do and it becomes loud and chaotic. Mr. Owl intervenes and decides that the young students need to learn about proper school behaviour. He tells them how important it is to listen, raise your hand, take turns, respect others by letting them talk and share etc. The next day, things still don't turn out the way they hoped, until Fiona has a great idea. Everyone enjoys the new "zoo school". I liked the message about being a good student, especially being respectful to one another. My granddaughter (6 YO) was quite appalled at their behaviour and was able to tell me what Mme. would have done if she had acted that way. 😂The illustrations are wonderful. They are realistic for anthropomorphised animals. Their expressions show emotion, and my grandkids enjoyed seeing what the animals were up to on each page. The short sentences, with easy concepts and repeated words make this an easy book for beginning readers.

[Briel]

Like many families, my kids and I were introduced to Fiona during the pandemic when the Cincinnati Zoo live streamed videos starring Fiona the hippo, her Mama, her handlers, and her other animal friends. So I was delighted to receive an ARC of Fiona Goes to School to read with my kids. Overall, this is a cute story with lovely colorful illustrations. The artist captured Fiona’s adorableness and she shines on the page! With words like squeaking and chattering, though, and not too much repetition of words, I think many Level 1 readers will be discouraged trying to read this independently. Likewise, sometimes the flow seems off. The transition from Fiona is telling her Mama she wants to go to zoo school to when she’s overlooking the parking lot with her animal friends felt particularly disjointed and I had to double check to make sure I hadn’t skipped a page. Finally, while I thought the concept of the animals learning about raising hands was a cute addition, it might have been nice to throw in a few other animal facts into the “zoo school” section. I’m being very picky here though and I’m sure Fiona lovers will find the book as cute as we did.

Thanks to NetGalley and Zonderkidz for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jalynn Patterson]

**Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

About the Book:

Join Fiona the hippo, the adorable internet sensation from the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, as she and her friends start a zoo school to learn more about their fellow animals.

Fiona and a few of her animal friends attend zoo school for the very first time and find out just how fun it is to learn new things in the classroom. Young readers will enjoy learning more about Fiona and her friends in this Level One I Can Read about the little hippo that has captured hearts around the world with her inspiring story and plucky personality.


My Review:

This is the day that a local school takes a field trip to the zoo. In regular Fiona fashion she is all about what is happening and who are these children and what is a school? Fiona was so excited about school and all you learned there that she wanted to go to school.

So her and her friends decided together that they would have zoo school. Each animal would be the "teacher for the day" He or she would teach the others about their animal type and all the animals were excited. The very last day Fiona's mom came and read everyone a story. What a fun day it was!

[Brandi (Rambles of a SAHM)]

Field trips to the zoo are almost a rite of passage for school kids. Fiona the hippo and her friends have been seeing these children and have decided that they want to go to school as well. So after the zoo closes for the day Mr. Elephant gathers the zoo animals for Zoo school.

Each of the students has an opinion on what should be taught and chaos ensues. In swoops wise Mr. Owl to restore order. The students quickly learn that to be a good student you must learn to listen, raise your hand (or paw), and be patient while waiting your turn.

This is another delightful addition to the line of Fiona books from Zonderkidz. This particular edition is a level one I Can Read! book that has short sentences, familiar words, and simple concepts that engage your emerging reader.

I can't recommend this beginning reading book enough. We have loved all of the I Can Read! books from Zonderkidz. They have given the grandkids such a sense of accomplishment as they practice their new reading skills.

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

[Bethany]

This is a sweet introduction to school for preschoolers and rising kindergarteners. We adore Fiona’s inquisitiveness, and in this book, her curiosity about the number of kids at the zoo leads to her mother explaining about school field trips.

Fiona wants to go to school, too, so she and her animal friends gather together to learn about and create their own school. They learn some of the basics about what to expect and how to behave before studying other subjects. The illustrations portray the young animals’ excitement to be at school.

I would recommend this book to caregivers with young ones getting ready for or who are anxious about school. This would be a great addition to the classroom library as well.

Thank you to Zonderkidz and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Kelly Green's Book Review]

Fiona LOVES school & we LOVE Fiona!!

Fiona the Hippo is back with Fiona Goes to School. A level 1 beginning reader book that full of adorable zoo animal characters. In this adventure Fiona Goes to School in the zoo. Each day the baby zoo animals are taught by a different adult animal at the zoo, so the baby animals learn more about one another, and they all have fun learning.

In this book we get to see Fiona up close in the amazing illustrations, and she is extra cute! The illustrations are bright, colorful and have a unique texture to them that really captures the reader's attention. Fiona is a fun-loving character, and we can't wait to see what she is up to next.

Young readers and parents will enjoy Fiona’s most recent adventure at school.

Grateful to have received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley & Zonderkids

[Roben]

Fiona notices that there are lots of kids at the zoo so she asks her mom where they came from - and her mom explains that they are on a field trip from school. Fiona has never heard of school so she asks her mom and her friends about it. She thinks school would be fun! So she and her friends decide to start a zoo school. Things are a little rough at first - Mr. Elephant only wants to teach about elephants while Snake wants to learn about snakes and Otter wants to learn about lakes... and Fiona wants books to be read. This looks like a problem that needs to be solved and Fiona is just the hippo to do that! Soon everyone is cooperating and learning together - and Fiona really enjoys school.
This would be a cute book to share with your beginning readers - especially if they are headed off to school for the first time in the fall!

[Cover Lover Book Review]

Fiona Goes to School is the cutest little story centering on themes of school and the love of learning. This level 1 book uses big print, short sentences, and simple ideas for beginner readers.

While Fiona the hippo iss in the pool at the Zoo, she learns a bus full of children are visiting the zoo on a school trip. Her mother explains that school is where children learn. Because Fiona loves learning new things, she hatches an idea to begin a zoo school for her and her fellow animal friends. They take turns teaching each other new things, and everyone learns and has a good time.

This story reveals how learning can be fun. I’m sure it will excite preschool readers as they begin reaching school age. The text is large and easy to read, and the illustrations are adorable.

Disclosure: #CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.

[Michelle]

Super cute easy story that can be read to pre primer readers or as a read aloud for young emergent readers. The illustrations are also super cute. If you are on a drive, you can also take Fiona and her friends along with you on audio with Libro.fm.

Fiona the hippo lives at the zoo and observes a group of school children on a field trip. She innocently asks her mom “What is school?” Upon hearing all the things that happen in school she decides it’s the place for her.

She and her zoo animal friends start their own school. Like all classrooms, the students have different ideas about what and how they should learn. Everyone has an idea or opinion. Fiona just wants someone to read a story to the class.

Read all the way to the end to see what happens!

Audience: Preschool to early elementary.

[Theediscerning]

Very commendable early reader, targeted at those perhaps choosing their books for themselves for the first time. This is wonderfully illustrated, with the least words per page possible to get across the high drama a lot of zoo animals have when they decide to form a school for themselves. The Elephant is the first tutor, but all he wants to teach is how wonderful elephants are, so once a wise Owl intervenes they settle for a more U3A kind of thing, where those in the know teach what they know and everyone leads their specialised subject and no more. How egalitarian. Oh, but it finishes with everyone loving books, so sneakily or not the audience get perhaps the most important lesson of all. And it all looks absolutely world class.

[Sharon]

Fiona is adorable and children will relate to her. The Level 1 story has themes of school and love of learning - it does not talk down to children. Fiona and her Mama are in the pool at the zoo, and Fiona asks Mama why so many children are visiting. Fiona learns about school field trips and she is so intrigued about the idea of school, she is determined to begin a zoo school. Each resident of the zoo takes a turn teaching all the others. They all learn far more by cooperating with each other, and all are so excited about learning.

The illustrations are wonderful. A great read for preschool up through about second grade.

I received an e-ARC from Zonderkidz and NetGalley in exchange for a review.

[Katherina]

What a delightful book. The glossy pictures gave my grandson (just finished kindergarten) so much to devour with his eyes. Fiona is a hippo. The stories are centered around Fiona and her other animal friends. The Level One I Can Read designation meant that he could read ithe Fiona books on his own, using phonics and sounding it out. These books could also be read aloud to a beginning reader, allowing for the beginning reader to start recognizing and reading the words on their own. Many thanks to Zondervan and NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for an honest review. This review applies to both Fiona Goes to School and Fiona's Train Ride.

[Beth]

Another cute story featuring Fiona the hippo. The illustrations are lovely. It would be perfect to read in a class setting at the beginning of the school year. Fiona learns about raising her hand (leg), listening and taking turns.

I would say this is more a Level 2 reader than a Level 1. But it is super cute regardless.

Thank you to Zondervan for providing an advanced copy for my honest review.

[Pam]

Beginning Reader
I received an electronic ARC from Zonderkidz through NetGalley.
Fiona wants to go to school like all the children who visit the zoo. She shares with her friends and everyone decides to go to school too. They have difficulties on the first day but Barn Owl explains how school works. After that, they learn from a different animal each day so everyone is included.
Simple to read text for early readers. Great to read together as a family and perfect for elementary libraries.

[Ina]

Fiona the hippo is back in this easy reader. After an especially busy zoo day, where many school children visited, always curious Fiona hears about school and decides that the zoo animals should also go to school. After a few false starts, zoo school meets everyone's needs. With text designed for beginner readers and beautiful illustrations, this is a fun book to introduce a young child to what they can expect when they, too, go off to school.

[Vera S]

This was an endearing book for children. My son isn't quite at the age range for this one yet but he loved the pictures and could even point and name out some of the critters we see on each page. The storyline was something that was very simple and exciting and I'd easily recommend these to parents as well as teachers in and around this age range.

I received this e-book free for a genuine review.

[Jenny]

Title: Fiona Goes to School

First off, thank you to netgalley, the publisher & the author for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own.

I had my son who is 7 read this book to me. We enjoyed the story, the illustrations and loved hearing more stories about Fiona the hippo. We look forward to reading more!

[Laura]

My thoughts: Fiona Goes to School is an adorable story about zoo animals learning about school and what they might learn in school. It helps children imagine what animal lives might be like and teaches them how to read. Recommended for your favorite beginner reader. I was given a copy free and all opinions are my own.

[Amber Staggs]

I love hippos and so does my daughter. She loved this book and has asked to get the Fiona collection. I loved all the illustrations of different animals at the zoo. I also loved how much they loved "Zoo School" and learning!

[Amanda Murphy]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A great little story for those young school aged kids. Fiona Goes to School teaches about diversity and understanding and supporting each other as well as resolving conflict. This is going to be a loved beginning reader series.

[Nicole Maurer]

This was such a cute story! We loved that they opened a zoo school and included all of the animals. My daughter loves reading about Fiona and her latest adventures. We look forward to more from this series.

[MagicSoakedPages]

I really enjoyed this book. It was very cute. I've followed Fiona's journey since she was born and now am excited that I can share that with my daughter as she learns to read.

[Cherish Brown]

(5☆ Would recommend & would read again)
Another cute Fiona the Hippo book. This one has a good storyline and is a great book for first readers.

[Ryan]

Another cute Fiona story. This time she learns what school is and knows she really wants to go. So, they create a zoo school and go about finding the best teachers.

[Deena Peterson]

Our family adores Fiona, and we really love the new stories for beginning readers.

[Michelle]

My 6 year old daughter was almost able to read this book by herself! Super cute art.

[Sherry Scheline]

Great read! I love school like Fiona says Jasmine: