Author Profile
Richard Cowdrey
15 Books
Richard Cowdrey is an acclaimed illustrator best known for his work on popular children's picture books. His vibrant and expressive artwork brings beloved animal characters to life, most notably in the New York Times bestselling Marley series and the Fiona the Hippo books. Through his engaging illustrations, Cowdrey has delighted young readers and families worldwide.
Fiona the Hippo
Fiona, It's Bedtime
By:
Richard Cowdrey
The sun is setting over the Cincinnati Zoo, and it is almost time to sleep. But Fiona the hippo is not quite ready to close her eyes just yet! Before she can settle down for the night, she needs to make sure all of her zoo friends are tucked in and ready for sweet dreams.
Join Fiona on a gentle evening stroll past the animal habitats as she says a special goodnight to the lions, the penguins, and everyone in between. You will love wandering the quiet zoo paths with her, seeing how the different animals get ready for bed.
This cozy, soothing story is the perfect way to wind down after a busy day. With gentle rhymes and friendly faces on every page, it will help you get ready to snuggle up, close your eyes, and drift off to sleep right alongside your favorite little hippo.
6-8 Years
N/A
/5
Mango the little blue penguin is in trouble! He is stuck on a high ledge and cannot get down. Luckily, Fiona the hippo is nearby, and she is always ready to lend a helping hand to a friend in need.
With a confident snort and a wiggle of her ears, Fiona steps up to the challenge. But she cannot rescue the little penguin all by herself. She will need to team up with her best animal buddies to figure out a safe way to bring Mango back down to the ground.
Step into the zoo for a thrilling rescue mission! You can practice sounding out the words as you follow along with this exciting adventure. It is a wonderful story about working together, being brave, and knowing that you can accomplish anything when you have great friends by your side.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
N/A
/5
Fiona the Hippo
Fiona Helps a Friend
Something is wrong at the zoo today. It is entirely too quiet! As Fiona the hippo waddles around to greet her friends, she realizes that a very important sound is missing. Matilda the Kookaburra has completely lost her cheerful laugh.
Fiona knows she has to do something to help her friend smile again. She gathers the other animals, and together they set out on a mission to hunt down the missing laugh. Their search leads them straight to a fascinating box of lost and found items, and soon a silly dress up party begins!
Get ready to giggle along with Fiona and her pals in this delightful tale of kindness and cheer. It is a wonderful reminder that when you are feeling sad, a little silliness and the support of good friends might be exactly what you need to find your smile again.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
N/A
/5
Fiona the Hippo
Fiona the Hippo
Meet Fiona, the little hippopotamus with a huge personality!
Born much earlier than expected at the Cincinnati Zoo, Fiona is smaller than the other hippos, but she has enough spirit to fill the entire zoo. With a joyful snort, a wiggle of her ears, and a whole lot of determination, she proves that big courage comes in small packages. Alongside her dedicated zookeepers and lovable animal friends, Fiona takes on every challenge with a fearless attitude.
This inspiring true story invites you to step inside Fiona's world and see how love and perseverance help her thrive. It is a heartwarming journey full of friendship and fun, perfect for young readers who love animals and love cheering for the underdog. You will quickly see why this little hippo captured hearts around the world!
6-8 Years
N/A
/5
Fiona the Hippo
A Very Fiona Christmas
The zoo is sparkling with lights and holiday cheer, and Fiona the hippo is ready for a festive adventure! It is her very first Christmas, and she wants to make sure everything is absolutely perfect before the big day arrives.
As Fiona explores the winter wonderland with her animal friends, she discovers all the different ways the zoo is celebrating. From beautiful decorations to special snowy treats, there is so much magic to uncover. But amidst all the holiday excitement, Fiona searches for the true meaning of Christmas.
Join your favorite little hippo as she spreads joy and cheer to everyone she meets. This heartwarming holiday story is filled with festive fun and gentle lessons about love and sharing, making it the perfect winter read to enjoy with your family.
6-8 Years
N/A
/5
Marley
Trick or Treat, Marley!
Put on your costume and get ready for a night of spooky, messy fun! It is finally Halloween, the absolute silliest night of the year. This time, the family is throwing a massive holiday party, and Marley is extremely eager to help with all the creepy decorations and sweet treats.
Unfortunately, whenever this big dog tries to help, he mostly just causes total havoc! Before the first guest even arrives, Marley manages to get his entire head stuck inside a carved pumpkin, completely shreds the festive streamers into tiny confetti, and gobbles down all the trick-or-treat candy! You will laugh out loud as you follow along with his ridiculous blunders. Can the family pull off their spooky celebration despite his chaotic antics? Find out in this hilarious and heartwarming adventure that is a perfect treat for young readers everywhere.
6-8 Years
44 Pages
N/A
/5
Marley
Marley Learns a Lesson
Get ready to meet the newest members of the family! Two adorable kittens, Lucky and Yow-Yow, have just moved in, and Marley is eager to show them how things work around the house. As the king of the castle, he wants to teach his tiny new friends all his best tricks, like where to wait for Cassie and exactly which things they should never sniff.
But these clever felines have a few surprises of their own to share. Soon, they are showing the big dog how to master the perfect pounce and how to get a good scratch. Just when Marley thinks he knows everything about being a great pet, a loud thunderstorm rolls in and rattles his nerves. Will his tiny friends be the ones to teach him the most important lesson of all? This charming story proves that true friendship comes in all shapes and sizes.
6-8 Years
35 Pages
N/A
/5
Marley
Bad Dog, Marley!
Welcome a tiny, adorable Labrador puppy into your home and watch the chaos begin! When Mommy, Daddy, Cassie, and Baby Louie bring Marley home, they are thrilled to have a sweet new pet. But this little pup does not stay tiny for very long. He grows and grows, and the bigger his paws get, the bigger the messes he makes.
Marley truly wants to be a good dog, but his wild energy always seems to take over. Whether he is chewing up important glasses or accidentally swallowing a paycheck, this giant furball is a master of disaster. When one of his big mistakes pushes the family to their limit, they have a tough choice to make. Will this crazy, pure-hearted dog get to stay with his loving family forever? Discover a hilarious and heartwarming tale that proves how loving someone with all their flaws brings the greatest joy of all.
6-8 Years
44 Pages
N/A
/5
Marley
Marley and the Kittens
Prepare for a hilarious clash of paws and claws! When a pair of tiny, adorable kittens joins the household, Marley is overjoyed to have two new fluffy friends to play with. He follows the little felines everywhere they go, eager to join in on their games.
But there is one big problem: Marley is not exactly a graceful cat. When this giant, clumsy pup tries to imitate their sleek and gentle movements, he ends up causing a massive mess across the entire house. After getting scolded for his accidental destruction, the worried dog fears he has lost his special place in the family's heart. Will he discover a way to bounce back? You will love this funny, heartwarming story that explores the wild differences between cats and dogs, reminding us all that nobody has to be perfect to be loved.
6-8 Years
46 Pages
N/A
/5
Marley
A Very Marley Christmas
Get ready for a snowy season filled with hilarious holiday cheer! With Christmas rapidly approaching, Marley is bursting with festive excitement. This lovable pup with a nose for trouble is eager to experience his first snowfall and cannot wait to help his family prepare for Santa's arrival.
But because he is Marley, his eager attempts to help quickly spiral into a giant holiday mess. Before long, he is accidentally tearing down the twinkling lights, battling a chain of paper snowflakes, and making a terrible mistake right under the decorated tree! With the big day just around the corner, his family wonders if his clumsy antics will ruin the celebration entirely. You will laugh and smile through this heartwarming winter tale to find out if this sweet, chaotic dog can still share a little bit of Christmas magic after all.
6-8 Years
42 Pages
N/A
/5
Marley
Farm Dog
Pull on your boots and head out to the country for a hilarious day of chores! When the family takes a special trip to visit Uncle Bob's busy farm, everyone pitches in to help. Cassie proves to be an amazing farmhand, but poor Marley just cannot seem to get anything right.
Every time this eager pup tries to assist, he accidentally causes a massive commotion. He attempts to round up the noisy chickens, but only ends up scattering feathers everywhere. He tries to boldly herd the fluffy sheep, but they just think he is playing a silly game of tag! Feeling left out and clumsy, Marley wonders if there is any job he can actually do right. You will cheer for this lovable dog as he searches for his own special way to save the day in this funny and heartwarming countryside adventure.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
N/A
/5
One Day
One Day in the Prairie
Jump in
Henry Rush has one goal today at the Prairie Wildlife Refuge: photograph a prairie dog doing a perfect backflip. He is so focused on watching the edge of the prairie dog town that he misses the warning signs all around him.
Why it pulls you in
The air is suddenly humming with strange electricity. Nearby, a massive buffalo is anxiously pawing at the ground, sensing a shift in the atmosphere. High above the tall prairie grass, a dark, purple-blue cloud is building fast. A massive tornado is forming to the west, and the animals already know they need to find safety.
What to expect
You will feel the rising tension as the sky darkens and the wild inhabitants of the refuge scramble for protection. Experience a thrilling race against the clock as a dark funnel cloud touches down, bringing the raw power of nature right to the edge of the prairie dog town.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
65 Pages
N/A
/5
Marley
Marley's Big Adventure
What happens when a curious dog decides to explore the wide world all on his own? After a string of clumsy mistakes and broken rules, Marley feels terrible for upsetting his loving family. Believing they might be better off without him, the bighearted pup slips out the door and runs away from home to start a brand new life.
But the world outside his cozy house is much bigger and scarier than he ever imagined. From wandering through unfamiliar streets to stumbling into some serious trouble, Marley quickly learns that being a lone wolf is not as easy as it looks. As he faces unexpected challenges on his journey, his family is frantically searching everywhere to bring him back. Join this sweet and goofy dog on an emotional adventure that teaches a beautiful lesson about forgiveness, loyalty, and the unbreakable bond of family.
6-8 Years
N/A
/5
Marley
Firehouse Dog
Step inside the local fire station for a tour you will never forget! While taking a quiet walk around town, Marley and his family get a thrilling invitation to look inside the neighborhood firehouse. There is just one big problem: the family insists that their clumsy dog must stay safely tied up outside.
But a flimsy leash cannot keep this curious pup away from the action! Before anyone even notices, Marley chews right through his rope and sneaks inside to lead his very own wild tour of the station. From investigating the shiny firetrucks in the garage to sniffing out snacks in the firehouse kitchen, this lovable dog is hot on the trail of serious mischief. You will love reading about this sizzling adventure as Marley turns a regular afternoon into a hilarious, action-packed rescue mission of his own.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
N/A
/5
Marley
Strike Three, Marley!
Marley the lovable, mischievous dog is heading to the baseball stadium! When Daddy and Cassie decide to take their energetic pup out to the ballgame, they have no idea what kind of chaos is about to unfold on the field.
Instead of just sitting in the stands and watching the players, Marley decides he wants to be part of the action. From howling as loud as he can for the home team to chewing on baseball bats and digging giant holes in the dirt, Marley is having the absolute best day ever. But the baseball players might not agree!
Grab your glove and get ready to read along as the world's clumsiest dog turns a normal sports day into a hilarious adventure. You will love practicing your reading skills while finding out if the team can finish their big game before Marley ruins the entire diamond!
6-8 Years
34 Pages
N/A
/5
