Gayla Peevey, at age 10, recorded the holiday hit "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" in 1953, leading to a successful ...

When Gayla Peevey's catchy Christmas wish for a hippopotamus came true in 1953, she didn't need to test the lyrical theory that a two-car garage would have plenty of room to house her "hippo hero." ...

“I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” singer Gayla Peevey poses with a plush hippo. Over the past few decades, Gayla Peevey has become accustomed to blowing children's minds. On one hand, she's the ...

It is literally Christmas in July as iconic hippopotamus song will now be a part of the Oklahoma City Zoo forever. The iconic Christmas song, “I want a hippopotamus for Christmas”, was recorded in ...

She was a children's Christmas song come to life. On Dec. 24, 1953, a 700-pound "baby" lumbered from her moving crate into the awaiting water at Oklahoma City's Lincoln Park Zoo. "I Want a ...

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- This time of year, radio stations get nostalgic with songs about sleigh rides and silver bells, but there's another Christmas classic that has endured the test of time for more ...

Gayla Peevey was just 10 years old when her unforgettable holiday anthem, “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,” became a national sensation in 1953. The song made Peevey a part of Oklahoma history.

All a cute, curly haired 10-year-old girl named Gayla Peevey wanted for Christmas in 1953 was a hippopotamus. And amazingly enough, after "I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas" became the biggest hit ...

Over the past few decades, Gayla Peevey has become accustomed to blowing children's minds. On one hand, she's the little girl crooning the hallowed holiday song "I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas." ...