A Poet’s Take on Why Laughing at a Hippopotamus Might Be the Best Medicine

The Usefulness of Hippopotamus: A Humorous Chapbook for Trying Times

When life gets rough, a good laugh can work wonders! Author Tomeo brings humor and joy through playful poetry—even in the toughest moments.

LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, April 16, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- When things get tough, laughter can be something that everyone can lean on. Renowned poet Vincent J. Tomeo battled

bladder cancer and realized this personally during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of focusing on the hardships, he chose to humor and to enjoy the small pleasures—including those involving hippopotamuses.

That decision inspired him to write "The Usefulness of Hippopotamus: A Humorous Chapbook for Trying Times," a book showing how humor is powerful and how it can change a mood even the worst of days. Tomeo also reminds readers that laughing is not only for enjoyment but also a healing tool by means of straightforward, lighthearted poetry.

This short collection offers witty verses and entertaining stories, encouraging readers to pause, smile, and see the world through a lighter lens. Because sometimes, a little humor is exactly what everyone needs.

The US Review of Books praises it as “a delightful collection of humorous poems filled with wit, whimsy, and clever wordplay.” An Amazon reviewer gave it five stars, calling it “a fun, short read that brightens anyone’s day.”

To grab a copy, stop by the Olympus Story House Booth #182 at the LA Times Festival of Books or purchase it online at Amazon, Google Play, Apple iTunes, Barnes & Noble, and other digital book stores worldwide.