Hippo For Christmas

'Ellie listened to the song's lyrics as she watched me squirm. She smiled, a real smile, for the first time since I'd sat down. It was a deep, satisfying smile, like from a cat who had just revenge-vomited into your favorite slippers. (It's a thing, I work in a pet shop.)
"All right, I know what I want for Christmas," she said.'
Hapless ex-con Eddie Spurlock's only success in life is a brilliant eight year old daughter named Ellie, but the clever girl wants nothing to do with him. And now, through a hastily entered bet, he must get her the most impossible gift for Christmas, or risk being canceled from her life forever.
Hippo For Christmas is a charming and funny tale; a perfect story to be read by the entire family or by anyone who is attempting to get into the holiday spirit. It will remind you of what Christmas is really about.