Koko's Story

Koko's Story
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.

Watch Koko communicating with Mr. Rogers
Just for fun

What Do You With a Tail Like This?

Jenkins, Steve
Page, Robin
Houghton Mifflin Company 2003
Picture Book
K-3
"What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?" tells the reader about thirty different animals. The book details how these animals use their Noses, Ears, Tails, eyes, feet, and mouths to survive in the wild. I learned several new facts about animals from this book. I did not know that Lizard's tails can easily break off to escape harm. I also did not know that horned lizards can squirt blood out of their eyes to scare away unwanted guests, or that hippopotamus' can close their ears while under water.

I was surprised by how much I learned from this book. I can only imagine how much a child would learn about animals from this book. I also think that children would enjoy this book. I can see young children cringe when the lizard's tail breaks off, and I can hear the ewe's when the horned lizard squirts blood out it's eyes. Children will most definitely enjoy the amazing illustrations. I wonder if they could guess that they were made from cut paper collages? I was absolutely enthralled the collages. I have never seen such intricately detailed collages. the double page illustrations make the book. This informational book is a great way to introduce exotic animals in class. Each student could choose an animal from the book and write about the animal in their own words.This book is defiantly deserving of the Caldecott medal. The book simply would not be as entertaining and informative without them. the collages are amazingly detailed and really help the reader visualize the animals. You have to see a horned lizard squirt blood out of its eye's to believe it! I liked how the text about each animal was located right next to that animals picture. this makes the story much easier to follow. I especially liked how the text about the skunk comes out of the skunks tail like spray. I will most defiantly read this book to my class if a am teaching at this level.