or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
 
Express Checkout with PayPhrase
What's this? | Create PayPhrase
Sorry!
More Buying Choices
64 used & new from $0.01

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Koko's Kitten (Reading Rainbow Book)
 
 
Tell the Publisher!
I’d like to read this book on Kindle

Don’t have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here.
 
  

Koko's Kitten (Reading Rainbow Book) (Paperback)

~ Dr. Francine Patterson (Author), Ronald H. Cohn (Photographer)
Key Phrases: toy cat, new kitten
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)

Price: $5.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
  Special Offers Available
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Want it delivered Tuesday, November 10? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
22 new from $2.47 40 used from $0.01 2 collectible from $12.58

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
  Library Binding, April 8, 2009 $14.99 $14.99 --
  Paperback, May 31, 1987 $5.99 $2.47 $0.01

Frequently Bought Together

Customers buy this book with Little Beauty by Anthony Browne

Koko's Kitten (Reading Rainbow Book) + Little Beauty
  • This item: Koko's Kitten (Reading Rainbow Book) by Dr. Francine Patterson

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • Little Beauty by Anthony Browne

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details


Special Offers and Product Promotions

  • This item is eligible for our 4-for-3 promotion. Eligible products include select Books, Single Copy Magazines, and Home & Garden items. Buy any 4 eligible items and get the lowest-priced item free. Here's how (restrictions apply)
  • Over a hundred thousand items are eligible for our 4-for-3 promotion. How do I find more eligible items?


Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Nature: Koko - A Conversation With Koko

Nature: Koko - A Conversation With Koko

DVD ~ F. Murray Abraham
4.8 out of 5 stars (6)  $17.99
Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship

Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship

by Isabella Hatkoff
4.8 out of 5 stars (79)  $9.93
KOKO-LOVE! Conversations With a Signing Gorilla

KOKO-LOVE! Conversations With a Signing Gorilla

by Francine Patterson
Koko - A Talking Gorilla - Criterion Collection

Koko - A Talking Gorilla - Criterion Collection

DVD ~ Koko (III)
4.0 out of 5 stars (7)  $26.99
Amazing Gorillas! (I Can Read Book 2)

Amazing Gorillas! (I Can Read Book 2)

by Sarah L. Thomson
4.0 out of 5 stars (1)  $3.99
Explore similar items

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In The Education of Koko, an adult title, Patterson described her successful career as a teacher and caretaker of a female gorilla, Koko. Since 1972, the author and Koko have been communicating in sign language, mostly on subjects important to the big, surprisingly gentle animal. Before Koko's 12th birthday, she signed that she wanted "Cereal there. Good there drink. Cat." Later she repeated, "Cat. Cat. Cat." So Patterson brought a kitten to visit; Koko named him All Ball (he had no tail) and mothered the mite with the love visible in Cohn's wonderful color photos. They show vividly the humanlike relationship developing between the huge gorilla and her tiny baby. When All Ball is killed by a car and Koko signs "Cry, sad, frown," and weeps, we know why the author cries too. It's gratifying to report that, in time, Koko expressed "Good. Nice." Her new kitten had come to stay.
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.


From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4 The cover photo alone is all that is needed to "sell" this bookthe smallest, most delicate of kitten profiles in the massively careful embrace of a glistening gorilla, whose bare-knuckled fist is four times the size of the diminutive feline's head, and whose face radiates tenderness. Koko is one of a number of great apes in various experimental communication programs and is remarkably conversant in American Sign Language, used by hundreds of thousands of hearing-impaired people. With her linguistic skill, she asked for, and finally received, the small, tailless tabby kitten she promptly named All Ball. This brief, moving book records Koko's relationship with her pet. All Ball was groomed, played with, cuddled and loved, and never once showed fear of her large foster-mother, outlandish though she might seem to feline eyes. The growing relationship was cut horribly short by All Ball's death beneath the wheels of a car, and Koko's grief is dramatically recorded on film. Fortunately, Koko was given the opportunity to have another kitten, and chose a second tailless Manx. In a happy new beginning, she is shown cuddling "Lipstick." In beautiful color photos, and a brief accompanying text, Patterson and Cohn let readers see beneath the glossy fur, the heavy brows and the animal shape to the gentle mind that wanted something to love and be loved by. An empathy-building book of high degree. Patricia Manning, Eastchester Public Library, N.Y.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

  • Reading level: Ages 4-8
  • Paperback: 32 pages
  • Publisher: Scholastic (June 1, 1987)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0590444255
  • ISBN-13: 978-0590444255
  • Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8 x 0.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #134,826 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

More About the Author

Francine Patterson
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Visit Amazon's Francine Patterson Page

Inside This Book (learn more)


What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Koko's Kitten (Reading Rainbow Book)
88% buy the item featured on this page:
Koko's Kitten (Reading Rainbow Book) 4.9 out of 5 stars (18)
$5.99
Little Beauty
7% buy
Little Beauty 3.6 out of 5 stars (11)
$9.81
KOKO-LOVE! Conversations With a Signing Gorilla
2% buy
KOKO-LOVE! Conversations With a Signing Gorilla 5.0 out of 5 stars (2)
My Dad
1% buy
My Dad 4.8 out of 5 stars (12)
$12.74

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 
(4)
(2)
(1)
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

 

Customer Reviews

18 Reviews
5 star:
 (16)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.9 out of 5 stars (18 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars True-life story interweaving animals and sign language, November 19, 1999
This is the heart-warming, true-life story of a signing gorilla, Koko, and her life with researcher, Francine Patterson, and pet kitten, All Ball. The narrative contains interesting insights into gorilla mentality, emotions, and human-like qualities and abilities. Because Koko uses sign language, the story is a good one to read during Deaf Awareness Week to your elementary class or your own children. Note that the video by the same name, if available, plucks the heart-strings a little more in showing footage of Koko's interaction with her beloved Ball, grief after Ball's tragic accident, and Koko's introduction to her new kitten.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Heartbreaking and beautiful, October 22, 2005
As a 2nd grade teacher, I am very concerned about my students developing empathy for animals and other humans. We have talked at length about feelings and respect for animals and people and I thought Koko would be a wonderful way to develop the discussion further. However, when I sat down to read the book for the first, second, and third times, I bawled like I have not cried in a long time! This touching, real-life story of Koko the gorilla and her cat All Ball struck a nerve in me not only for the grief Koko experienced when her cat died, but for the realization that we are not alone on this earth - we are not unique in our ability to love, empathize, and care for one another. What makes us unique is the responsibility we have to ensure the survival and happiness of all living creatures. I have not decided if I will read this book to my class, because I am not sure I'll get through it without crying, but I think this powerful little book belongs in every school library. The lessons to be learned through Koko's experience as a caring, feeling, sentient being are valuable for readers of all ages.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Charming, heartwarming book, January 28, 2002
By A Customer
I loved this book as a child, and now, as a first year teacher, i plan to use this book in my classroom. The book is informative and sweet, and the pictures are adorable.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, Great Service
This piece of non-fiction is an entertaining and heart warming story of a gorialla and the ups and downs she faces with owning a pet. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Caroline Lambert

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for all ages
As a fourth year University student, I found this book compelling for all ages. It is a heartwarming book that will truly touch readers who love primates, and those who just love... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Jen

5.0 out of 5 stars Koko's Kitten
Koko's Kitten, by Dr. Francine Patterson, is about a gorilla and a kitten. It's almost Koko's birthday. Penny helps Koko she wanted to give Koko a toy cat. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Miss M's Fourth Graders

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful book
This is a wonderful story about the love and kindness creatures, nonhuman and human, can show towards each other. It is touching and meaningful for all ages. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Maxine L. Rantane

5.0 out of 5 stars Cats
Great book for any cat lover

author of "Hobo Finds A Home"
Published 24 months ago by A. D. Cox

5.0 out of 5 stars koko 's kitten
Koko is a gorilla and she like cats . She is good at sign language and she knows when is her

birthday. She knows how to read books about cats. Read more
Published on June 15, 2007

5.0 out of 5 stars Koko love
The photos make the book valuable for adults as well. Koko is amazing, her story very touching. I urge all Koko admirers to support her move to Hawaii. Koko rocks!!
Published on March 8, 2007 by Lori Lovely

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book Ever.
This book I read as a kid, and I have to say it changed my life. Sounds dumb, but it did. I love this book I really do, and I think if you don't buy it or at least find a copy... Read more
Published on March 2, 2007 by The Cheese

5.0 out of 5 stars I had to have this book again
I had this book years ago as a teen, when I saw it here I had to get it. My old copy is missing. I love this story, who would believe that a gorilla could learn sign launguage... Read more
Published on November 30, 2005 by S. Fath

5.0 out of 5 stars If you like gorillas, read this book.
Could you ever imagine a gorilla having a pet cat? In the book Kokos Kitten by Dr. Francine Patterson, there is a gorilla named Koko and she has a pet cat. Read more
Published on April 1, 2003

Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   




Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)


Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject

 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.


Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.