Gayla peevey was 10yearsold when she recorded the song i want a hippopot amus for christmas in 1953. Hippopotamus amphibius, also called the common hippopotamus is a large, mostly herbivorous, semiaquatic mammal and ungulate native to subsaharan africa. I want a hippopot amus for christmas only a hippopotamus will do no crocodiles, no rhinoceroses i only like hippopotamuses and hippopotamuses like me too. Every time im asked to speak to a group about zoo history, gaylas hippo story is the most popular topic. She is best known for her recording, under her maiden name gayla peevey, of i want a hippopotamus for christmas. Love, care, friendship and togetherness make the christmas time all the more unique. Gayla peevey was 10yearsold when she recorded the song i want a hippopotamus for christmas in 1953. And amazingly enough, after i want a hippopotamus for christmas. The history behind i want a hippopotamus for christmas. And amazingly enough, after i want a hippopot amus for christmas became the biggest hit song of that holiday season, she actually got one, a 700pound baby named matilda.
Each piece includes one 2017 i want a hippopotamus for christmas santa musical christmas ornament in a giftready box. Nearly ten years ago, i researched gaylas childhood recording of i want a hippopot amus for christmas for my book oklahoma city zoo. In 1960, under the name jamie horton, she had a minor hit with the song robot man. Hippos were mentioned in the novelty christmas song i want a hippopotamus for christmas that became a hit for child star gayla peevey in 1953. I want a hippopotamus for christmas by john rox, illustrated by bruce whatley. She loves the illustrations in the book and enjoys the story.
With catchy refrains, classic artwork, and a heartwarming story, this timeless christmas tale has been a favorite since 1953. Short music interlude theres lots of room for him in our twocar garage id feed him there and wash. I want a hippopotamus for christmas only a hippopotamus will do dont want a doll, no dinky tinker toy i want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy. Mom says the hippo would eat me up, but then teacher says a hippo is a vegetarian. Peevey recorded the novelty song when she was 10 years old. Hallmark keepsake 2017 i want a hippopotamus for christmas. Fun video with songs and animation baby sensory duration. The song inspired a campaign by wkytv and the oklahoma city times to raise enough to buy a hippo named matilda.
Gayla rienette peevey born march 8, 1943 is a former singer and child star from oklahoma city, oklahoma. These books have been classics and steady sellers for 30 years. This book was recommended to me by a friend, and is an illustrated version of the 1950s song. I want a hippopotamus for christmas, nikki sings with a dancing hippo duration. On christmas eve, after getting some fresh air outside, henry the hippo, who loves christmas, sees santas sleigh come and land on his roof. I want a hippopot amus for christmas only a hippopotamus will do dont want a doll, no dinky tinker toy i want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy i want a hippopot amus for christmas i dont think santa claus will mind, do you. He wont have to use our dirty chimney flue just bring him through the front door, thats the easy thing to do. Gayla rienette peevey is a former singer and child star from oklahoma city, oklahoma. All i want for christmas is my two front teeth is also quite undeniably a christmas novelty song and it doesnt really tell a story at all, at least no more than other songs do, but it has silliness of intent in spades though id probably hate to have it turn up as an earworm and would possibly commit. As shown in his bestselling titles the night before christmas and here comes santa claus, no one can portray the holidays better than bruce whatley. I want a hippopotamus for christmas the north pole times. She has been married to clifford henderson since august 25, 1963.
When avery stone makes a deal with her mom to pay attention in history class, little did they know that their holiday season would be turned upside down. In fourth grade, peevey appeared regularly on tv stations wky and channel 4 in oklahoma city. The song i want a hippopotamus for christmas was written in 1950 by john rox and became a nationwide hit in 1953 when tenyearold oklahoma native gayla peevey sang the song as a way to raise money for the oklahoma city zoos first hippopotamus. Were seven days away, but let me be the first to say, we wish you a merry christmas. I want a hippopotamus for christmas by john rox 2005. Only a hippopotmas will do for two weeks before christmas after she learned it at preschool. The song peaked at number 24 on billboard magazines pop chart in december 1953. Oklahoma native gayla peevey is the famous voice behind the 1953 hit song, i want a hippopot amus for christmas. Press the button to hear part of the 1953 holiday classic performed by gayla peevey batteryoperated.
Peevey was born in 1943 in oklahoma city and began singing at church during preschool. Richard cowdrey, new york times bestselling illustrator and author, will do a presentation and read from his newest childrens picture book a very fiona christmas. Iif you are looking for a funny unusual christmas poemsong this is it. The song i want a hippopot amus for christmas was written in 1950 by john rox and became a nationwide hit in 1953 when tenyearold oklahoma native gayla peevey sang the song as a way to raise money for the oklahoma city zoos first hippopotamus. This poemsong which includes an interactive book is a great one for circle time or to set up in a reading center. Christmas is coming, and one little girl wants nothing more than a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy. Singable book of the month i want a hippopotamus for. Peevey was a child star who was born in oklahoma city. Gayla peevey was born in 1943 in oklahoma city, oklahoma, usa as gayla rienette peevey. I want a hippopotamus for christmas amydeestephens. Famed child singing sensation gayla peevey on the comeback of her classic, i want a hippopotamus for christmas if you walk into a hallmark store during christmastime, chances are youll hear a certain hippo song from christmas past echoing in the aisles.
Eventually, the song was used to promote a fundraiser for the oklahoma city zoo to buy gayla a hippo. Everything i love about christmas gigs, music, photos, crafts, food, fun see pinned post. The child star, often confused with shirley temple, acquired adoring fans quickly, especially in her hometown of oklahoma city. Written mainly from the hippo s perspective, i want a hippopotamus for christmas is an original christmas story, by amazon bestselling author and illustrator, riley weber. Here are the lyrics to the song, i want a hippopotamus for christmas by john rox. John rox wrote this famous song that became a nationwid.
My 3 yr old granddaughter had been singing i want a hippopotamus for christmas. I want a hippopotamus for christmas musical ornament. A child wants a hippopotamus for christmas and tries to convince us that it is the perfect thing to have. Fiona the hippo celebrating her first christmas is the. In the video, which was set to the 1953 christmas novelty song i want a hippopotamus for christmas, fiona ripped open her neatly wrapped red. I want a hippopotamus for christmas sheet music john rox on. I want a hippopot amus for christmas is a christmas novelty song written by john rox 19021957 and performed by gayla peevey 10 years old at the time in 1953. Kids will enjoy this original christmas story, with its christmas themed, cartoony illustrations, by riley weber. I want a hippopotamus for christmas differentiated book. She is best known for her recording, under her maiden name gayla peevey, of i want a hippopotamus for christmas columbia 440106, 1953. Her eyes got very big at the size of the hippo as depicted in the book. The week before christmas her mom took her to see santa and the only thing she requested from him was a hippopotomus. I want a hippopotamus for christmas is one of those notquiteclassic christmas novelty songs.
So i was watching the lost gorillas on my phone the other day and on tv there was a commercial with the song i want a hippopotamus for christmas, and i thoug. A novelty hit for child singer gayla peevey in 1953, this seasonal tune is just strange enough to be big fun for you and your audiences. Any child who has begged or pleaded for a pet for christmas will love this book. In december of that year, the city received matilda the hippo for christmas. I want a hippopotamus for christmas hardcover walmart. I want a hippopotamus for christmas john rox hardcover. The fundraiser was successful and she was presented with the hippo on christmas. Magic sound ornament is made of plastic and plays music batteries included. These are definitely classics, for those who love snuggling and reading with their small kids.
This book is not based on the song, i want a hippopot amus for christmas, sung by gayla peevey. Learn more about the song and find great merchandise based on this comical christmas theme. 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. In december of that year the city received matilda the hippo for christmas. Written in 1953, 10 year old child star gayla peevey made this tune famous. A hippo for christmas, at last gayla peevey of oklahoma was 10 when she recorded i want a hippopotamus for christmas in 1953. Serenade friends and family by playing i want a hippopotamus for christmas with this whimsical christmas tree ornament.
It is one of only two extant species in the family hippopotamidae, the other being the pygmy hippopotamus choeropsis liberiensis or hexaprotodon liberiensis. Dressed in a festive snowman sweater and antler headband, this happy hippo is ready for her big debut on your tree. Gayla remembers the awkwardness when schoolmates stared at her during class or when children climbed into trees to stare at her through the. She laughed at the thought of an animal that large in the house. All i want for christmas is my two front teeth duration. Have a very fiona christmas at the wood county district public library, 251 n. But will santa claus and her parents make her christmas wish come true. Back by popular demand, hallmarks i want a hippopotamus for christmas ornament plays this beloved tune along with countless. Love, care, friendship and togetherness make the christmas. Purchased for our granddaughter to accompany the cuddly 16 in. They also feature in the songs the hippopotamus and hippo encore by flanders and swann, with the famous refrain mud, mud, glorious mud. I want a hippopotamus for christmas by john rox, bruce.