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I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas
"Any child who has begged or pleaded for a pet for Christmas will love this book." * Christmas is coming, and one little girl wants nothing more than a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy. But will Santa Claus and her parents make her Christmas wish come true? Based on the popular Christmas song by John Rox, this edition also includes the sheet music and lyrics to “I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas.” With catchy refrains, classic artwork, and a heartwarming story, this timeless Christmas tale has been a favorite since 1953. Music and lyrics for the song included! * Through the Looking Glass Children’s Book Review
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 27, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
December 26, 2013
This was my silly Christmas present from Dad this year, since my first (and still my favourite) teddy was a hippo, Helen. He sent me the song in late November, and then followed it up with some I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas themed gifts. The art is really cute; the hippo's facial expressions are pretty amazing.
In case you're wondering, I did also get a hippo for Christmas: the hippo from the Silent Night ads, complete with a duck in his pocket.
In case you're wondering, I did also get a hippo for Christmas: the hippo from the Silent Night ads, complete with a duck in his pocket.
December 30, 2023
This was a Christmas gift for my daughter from Santa this year. She wanted a Hippo for Christmas and this was the next best thing. Ha!
I found myself singing rather than reading it. 🤪
The illustrations are beautiful. ❤️
I found myself singing rather than reading it. 🤪
The illustrations are beautiful. ❤️
January 3, 2024
I only read this so I can finish my reading goal- I don’t have time for a chapter book😭
December 8, 2017
Synopsis: "Christmas is coming, and one little girl wants nothing more than a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy. But will Santa Claus and her parents make her Christmas wish come true? As shown in his best-selling titles The Night Before Christmas and Here Comes Santa Claus, no one can portray the holidays better than Bruce Whatley; and he doesit again with I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas.
The song "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" was written in 1950 by John Rox and became a nationwide hit in 1953 when ten-year-old Oklahoma native Gayla Peevey sang the song as a way to raise money for the Oklahoma City Zoo's first hippopotamus. In December of that year the city received Matilda the hippo for Christmas."
My Review: Several years ago my mom mentioned that this was her favorite song at Christmas when she was a kid, and while it isn't all that common anymore, when I saw this book I knew I had to get it for her to share with all the grandkids. It is a fun little book with funny pictures to go along with the lyrics of the song (mom really struggled to read it and not sing it). A fun book for those who remember the song to share with some of the younger generations.
The song "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" was written in 1950 by John Rox and became a nationwide hit in 1953 when ten-year-old Oklahoma native Gayla Peevey sang the song as a way to raise money for the Oklahoma City Zoo's first hippopotamus. In December of that year the city received Matilda the hippo for Christmas."
My Review: Several years ago my mom mentioned that this was her favorite song at Christmas when she was a kid, and while it isn't all that common anymore, when I saw this book I knew I had to get it for her to share with all the grandkids. It is a fun little book with funny pictures to go along with the lyrics of the song (mom really struggled to read it and not sing it). A fun book for those who remember the song to share with some of the younger generations.
December 15, 2009
Cute! I really liked the different illustrations to express the song’s lyrics. Not as compelling a story as 3 Questions or Zen Shorts, but I strongly identified with the protagonist of the book for some reason.
December 18, 2019
I love the Christmas carol of I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas since I was a little girl. So when I found a book that is based off of that song. I knew for a fact that I had to check it out and read it to my kids. "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas," by John Rox and illustrated by Bruce Whatley is about Christmas coming and a little girl who wants nothing more then a real live hippopotamus. Will Santa and her parents make her Christmas wish come true.
I loved this book with it's beautiful colorful illustrations by Bruce Whatley. The illustrations make the book and be able to picture what it would look like to have a hippo for a present. I love how the author kept the original song as it's text it's so perfect. I really enjoyed this book as did my kiddos. It's a perfect book for Christmas.
So you can take this book as different ways. I recommend teaching your kids the song. I love hearing my three older kids trying to sing this song all the time. You can create a hippo craft with your kids. The last is have them write a story with you of an animal that they wish Santa would bring. Then let them illustrate the book.
I loved this book with it's beautiful colorful illustrations by Bruce Whatley. The illustrations make the book and be able to picture what it would look like to have a hippo for a present. I love how the author kept the original song as it's text it's so perfect. I really enjoyed this book as did my kiddos. It's a perfect book for Christmas.
So you can take this book as different ways. I recommend teaching your kids the song. I love hearing my three older kids trying to sing this song all the time. You can create a hippo craft with your kids. The last is have them write a story with you of an animal that they wish Santa would bring. Then let them illustrate the book.
February 4, 2025
The fantasy whim of a privileged child. Will this story appeal to you, more than it does to me?
The publisher, I suppose, is the one who promotes this cute little book, with this outrageous claim. (It appeared on the Goodreads blurb.)
Supposedly, "Any child who has begged or pleaded for a pet for Christmas will love this book."
Look, I just finished rave-reviewing "Rain School." It's a heartwarming story, written and illustrated by a Peace Corps volunteer who had to BUILD an elementary school from scratch.
Here, for contrast, is the story of a fictional young white girl whose life is (evidently) so rich in material comforts that she passionately wants a hippopotamus to play with. "And enjoy."
Readers can find the story droll. Illustrations are big, cheery, and pastel.
All I see in these pages is an anthem to White Privilege. Maybe Wealth Privilege as well. As is usual for all forms of privilege, many folks who have it . . . take it entirely for granted.
Under the circumstances, no. I don't find this book the least bit cute.
The publisher, I suppose, is the one who promotes this cute little book, with this outrageous claim. (It appeared on the Goodreads blurb.)
Supposedly, "Any child who has begged or pleaded for a pet for Christmas will love this book."
Look, I just finished rave-reviewing "Rain School." It's a heartwarming story, written and illustrated by a Peace Corps volunteer who had to BUILD an elementary school from scratch.
Here, for contrast, is the story of a fictional young white girl whose life is (evidently) so rich in material comforts that she passionately wants a hippopotamus to play with. "And enjoy."
Readers can find the story droll. Illustrations are big, cheery, and pastel.
All I see in these pages is an anthem to White Privilege. Maybe Wealth Privilege as well. As is usual for all forms of privilege, many folks who have it . . . take it entirely for granted.
Under the circumstances, no. I don't find this book the least bit cute.
November 8, 2017
Beware, overuse of exclamation points to follow.
I have adored the delightful Gayla Peevey song from the first time I heard it and now to discover this delightful book...GAH!!!! The illustrations are charming and perfectly done to illustrate this hilarious Christmas Wish! My favorite being (though it is hard to choose) the close up of the little girl's surprised face with the hippopotamus reflected in her amazed eyes! I highly recommend this for a fun holiday read and believe it will be difficult not to sing if done so aloud! So, so cute and I want this for my personal collection!! :)
I have adored the delightful Gayla Peevey song from the first time I heard it and now to discover this delightful book...GAH!!!! The illustrations are charming and perfectly done to illustrate this hilarious Christmas Wish! My favorite being (though it is hard to choose) the close up of the little girl's surprised face with the hippopotamus reflected in her amazed eyes! I highly recommend this for a fun holiday read and believe it will be difficult not to sing if done so aloud! So, so cute and I want this for my personal collection!! :)
February 12, 2022
I love the illustrations in this book! There's one page, though, that's super creepy to my 2 year old LOL. He does NOT like the girl staring him in the face! The lyrics are somewhat different than we remember/found online.
November 22, 2022
The illustrations to go with the I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas song are very cute and well done. It's definitely a book to singalong with the song; on the dust jacket bio of John Rox, there is an interesting fact that the song helped the Oklahoma City Zoo get a hippo in the 1950s.
June 17, 2024
I pictures in this book are fantastic. The song is so catchy! it's a great singalong and read loud for any classroom to be honest. it's really fun. you could jazz this up and do any fun activity with this.
December 26, 2025
This has been one of my favorite Christmas songs since I was little, and I was so pleased to find a book version of it as one of Rowan’s Christ gifts this year. And I was so tickled to see how much he enjoyed it as I was signing it to him, he was bouncing along to it! 🥹
September 20, 2017
Funny and silly!
December 17, 2018
My favorite secular Christmas song. Ben laughed through the whole thing and the music is in the back.
August 9, 2019
I love the illustrations that go with the classic song.
It's perfect because I love hippos. I want my own for xmas. :D
It's perfect because I love hippos. I want my own for xmas. :D
November 28, 2019
If you love the song, you'll love this book. Some of the lyrics were different, though!? Why??? Shocking!
Cute hippo though... Reminds me of a pug.
Cute hippo though... Reminds me of a pug.
December 28, 2019
Adorable, my kids love this song and the fact they have a book is adorable. 5 stars
February 25, 2020
For all those who enjoy this Christmas song, now you can share it with children via a picture book.
October 14, 2020
The boys love this Christmas song, so naturally we sang this entire book!
November 18, 2020
The girls sing and dance as soon as I open this book. 💕 Their uncle sings it every Christmas and it has endeared over the years.
December 7, 2020
A fun illustrated version of the song
December 29, 2020
So happy this book included the song at the end and add to the story by sharing the real story from Oklahoma City Zoo. The oversized illustrations complement the story that is sure to become a family tradition to read.
January 20, 2021
The artwork is adorable and truly brings this song to life.
December 15, 2021
Love the illustrations! Based on the song!
December 27, 2021
Super silly picture book based upon the hit novelty Christmas song.
May 12, 2022
A silly song with silly illustrations for a silly time.
November 28, 2023
I felt Christmassy and Jolly because I got to sing the whole entire book!
December 12, 2023
This is the book my friend Hannah read for the Three Forks Community Library's Festival of Stories series. And by "read"...I mean SANG. So cute. :)
December 19, 2024
Whimsical illustration for the complete text of the song. Well-suited to a child who wants a pet for Christmas.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews