Mission Viejo, California — Twelve-year-old storyteller and illustrator Vienna Labianca, originally from Santa Monica and now living in Mission Viejo, has released the third book in her children’s adventure series, Fern the Leopard. Her newest book, Fern the Leopard and the Zoo: Book 3, is a middle-grade animal adventure for readers ages 7–12.

Vienna began publishing the Fern the Leopard series when she was only eight years old. Now, at twelve, she has released the third book in the series.

Vienna creates the stories by dictating them to her dad, Kevin Labianco, who writes them down. The books are edited by her mother, Agata Labianca, making the series a family-supported creative project rooted in imagination, storytelling, homeschooling, and young creativity.

In Fern the Leopard and the Zoo, Fern, the Princess of the Rainforest, discovers that her father and little brother Pine were captured by humans and taken to a zoo years ago. Determined to rescue them, Fern leaves the rainforest with her best friend Bella the mouse. Along the way, they face a witch’s tower, a mean tabby cat, underground rivers, suspicious caymans, angry monkeys, and a daring zoo escape.

The book is available now on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats.

Why This Story Matters

Vienna’s story is more than a book launch. It is the story of a young California creator who began publishing books at eight years old and has continued building her own children’s adventure series through age twelve.

Originally from Santa Monica and newly living in Mission Viejo after her family moved to Orange County in October 2025, Vienna brings both a Southern California and local Orange County angle to her story.

As a homeschool student, Vienna represents the creativity, confidence, and imagination that can grow when children are encouraged to take their ideas seriously.

Her work is especially relevant for families, homeschool communities, libraries, young writers, and readers who love animal adventures, brave heroes, and stories about friendship and family.

Book Details

Title	Fern the Leopard and the Zoo: Book 3
Series	Fern the Leopard
Creator/Illustrator	Vienna Labianca
Written down by	Kevin Labianco
Editor	Agata Labianca
Audience	Children ages 7–12
Genre	Middle-grade animal adventure / chapter book
Length	132 pages
Format	Paperback and Kindle
Published	April 23, 2026
Amazon	amazon.com/dp/B0GYDZ877D

Short Book Description

Fern the Leopard and the Zoo follows Fern, the Princess of the Rainforest, as she sets out to rescue her father and little brother from a zoo. With her best friend Bella the mouse by her side, Fern must sneak past humans, escape danger, and rely on courage, friendship, and quick thinking to bring her family home.

About Vienna Labianca

Vienna Labianca is a twelve-year-old storyteller and illustrator from Santa Monica, California, now living in Mission Viejo after her family moved to Orange County in October 2025.

She began publishing the Fern the Leopard series at age eight and creates the stories by dictating them to her dad, Kevin Labianco, who writes them down. Her mother, Agata Labianca, edits the books, making the series a family-supported creative project.

Vienna also creates the illustrations for her books. Her stories are inspired by her imagination, her love of animals, and her stuffed animal Daisy.