Patterson, Francine Dr.
Cohn, Ronald Dr.
Scholastic Inc. N.Y, N.Y 1987
Informational
Koko's Story is about a gorilla named Koko who is taught sign language from the age of one. Chimpanzees were previously known to be able to communicate with humans, but Koko is the first gorilla to be taught sigh language. Dr. Patterson began working with Koko in 1972 at the San Fransisco Zoo. By the age of two, Koko was able to use sign language. At the age of three Koko left the Zoo and moved to the Grounds of Stanford University. At the age of five, Koko had a sign language vocabulary of over 2oo words. Koko was a very affectionate gorilla. In ways Koko was much like a child; she played, had temper tantrums and wanted lots of hugs. Koko had many human traits such as eating with utensils, and operating vending machines. Also at the age of five, Koko got a companion gorilla named King Kong. Dr. Patterson renamed King Kong Michael because she felt that his original name went against his gentle nature and reinforce a negative stereo type often associated with gorillas. Koko was very jealous of Michael but she eventually warmed up to Michael. Michael and Koko played together and Michael also learned sign language.
This is an adorable book. I knew that chimpanzees are able to communicate with humans but I did not know that gorillas are so intelligent and gentle. Koko was very much like a human. She became lonely, scared, happy, playful, and even jealous. I would very much like to meet Koko and play with her. I thought the it was so sweet that such a big animal was playing with a tiny little kitten. I couldn't believe that she became so attached to her first kitten All Ball. I was even more amazed that she remembered and missed the little kitten for so long after it died. The Photos in this book by Dr. Cohn were adorable. I loved the ones with Koko and Michael. The photos really captured the innocence of gorillas. I really enjoyed this book. It was very informative and Students could do research into ther animals and see how they are similar and different from us.
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