KOKO-LOVE! Conversations With a Signing Gorilla

by Francine Patterson

In 1972 Dr. Francine Patterson began teaching American Sign Language to a 1-year-old gorilla named Koko. In the longest running animal language exit to date, Koko spent 27 years developing a vocabulary of over 1,000 words.

Even more impressive than the breadth of Koko's vocabulary is the way in which she uses these signs to express herself. Koko is able to do so much more than simply identify objects; she has a very active emotional life and often conveys feelings of love, grief and even embarrassment. When asked who she is, Koko has been known to sign "Fine animal gorilla." When given a pet kitten, she named it "All Ball" because it had no tail, and when bitten by the kitty, Koko would sign "Cat bit. Obnoxious." But ever patient and caring, Koko loved and nurtured Ball as any mother would.

Beautiful full-color photographs help to demonstrate Koko's enormous sensitivity end understanding.

Genres: Animals, Nonfiction, Childrens, Science

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1999

About the author

Francine "Penny" Patterson is an American animal psychologist. She is best known for teaching a modified form of American Sign Language, which she calls "Gorilla Sign Language", or GSL, to a gorilla named Koko beginning in 1972.

Reviews

[melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute to the point that I can't stand it, I freakin love Koko. I wish I could meet Koko and we could eat bugs and smoke. Yeah, really, I read once that she used to sign to one of her people who had a cigarette "Give hot smoke! Give hot smoke, please!" That's not in this book, though, cause this is a children's book and children want to read about apes that they can look up to.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

disclaimer; my daughter is obsessed with gorillas so that bumps my rating up a star.
this is a great non-fiction introduction to gentle but giant animals and is all about empathy (Koko's and one's own). We don't read all the words because she's too young but the story is great and very informative.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book chronicles the activities of Koko, a gorilla who has been taught to communicate through sign language. Koko paints, helps to write stories with her teacher, takes care of her kitten, and continues to learn. This heartwarming book would be a wonderful addition to a classroom science library for a study on primates, endangered species, or as an interesting look at sign language.

[Alaina Sloo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart-warming, a great nonfiction book that brings children closer to real animals.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Koko is such a great friend, love koko

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's not to love?

[Michele Farmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book chronicles the activities of Koko, a gorilla who has been taught to communicate through sign language. Koko paints, helps to write stories with her teacher, takes care of her kitten, and continues to learn. This heartwarming book would be a wonderful addition to a classroom science library for a study on primates, endangered species, or as an interesting look at sign language.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a joyful and picture-filled book that will inform youngsters about just how sensitive and intelligent gorillas really are. Koko-Love will be a fine addition to a humane education curriculum, or one on great apes, endangered species, or animal intelligence.

[C.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorillas are AMAZING!!!! Although it makes me very sad that Koko was kept in captivity, what she did was amazing!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Rainbow: Feelings

Really enjoyed learning more about Koko and the other gorillas!