Tottoko Hamutaro Anime Dechu! is a direct-to-VHS OVA released on September 15, 1999. This was the first attempt at an animated adaptation of Hamtaro, and consists of four short episodes. 

The VHS was only released as a mail-order from the September 1999 issue of Shogakukan, and given away for free to Shogakukan staff with preschool children. 

(Source: Hamtaro Wikia)

The children's manga series that sparked an international phenomenon. 
The three books - A Home for Hamtaro and Other Stories, Hamtaro Gets Lost and Other Stories, and Jealous Hamtaro and Other Stories - each follow the adventures of a different Hamtaro, but they all share the same sweet, innocent feel.

5th-grader Laura Haruna owns a hamster, and his name is Hamtaro. After moving into a new town, Hamtaro finds that he's in the company of lots of different hamsters, making up a group of hamster friends that go on crazy adventures through the city. Before they save Laura and other humans from nasty predicaments, however, they have to learn how to save themselves.
 
(Source: Anime News Network)

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