Koko's Kitten -- a classic kids' book

[Heartbreaking video link] I really like Burgin Streetman's blog called Vintage Kids' Books My Kid Loves. Today, Burgin wrote about Koko's Kitten.

Any child of the 70s and 80s knows the story of Koko, the orphaned gorilla child who was taught to speak sign language and communicate with humans... This is the sweet, but heartbreaking tale of Koko and her pet kitten, All Ball (Koko named it herself). The joy she feels upon receiving it as a gift and the grief when the animal is inadvertently run over by a car. If nothing else, this story illustrates how closely linked we as human beings are to these incredible creatures.

Koko's Kitten

• [SWPL_Bro]

  Three former female employees have claimed that they were pressured into showing their breasts to Koko. They alleged that Patterson encouraged the behavior, often interpreted Koko’s signs as requests for nipple display, and let them know that their job would be in danger if they “did not indulge Koko’s nipple fetish.”
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koko_(gorilla)#Sexual_harassment

• [Tim]

  I remember hearing this. It’s a heartwarming tale.

  Koko’s “nipple fetish” however makes her seem a little less like a “gentle giant” and more just like a primal human, which does seem more logical.

  I realize this might not be a new thing as well, but I don’t care for the new BoingBoing “like” feature. Too much Facebook, not enough BoingBoing.

• [Roy Edward Truax]

  Seem to remember the whole signing gorilla thing to be thoroughly debunked…

• [Petzl]

  All I know is: do _not_ give these guys Xanax (or is it: do _not_ forget to give these guys their Xanax?) Or they’ll rip your face off.  (I got to find out which one it is; I like my face.)

  • [gwyllion]

    that was a CHIMP attack – Koko was a GORILLA

• [gwyllion]

  BTW – after seeing excepts from PROJECT NIM – and how Nim uses a cat to masturbate with (also loved cats) brings a  whole new perspective to the ALL BALL monicker

• [grima]

  And we will pet him, and squeeze him, and call him George…

• [jaytkay]

  Koko just celebrated her 40th birthday. She was born on the 4th of July.

• [prachie gohil]

  moved me to tears.. sniff sniff..

• [Alissa Mower Clough]

  The Death of All Ball
  (edited from transcribed signing)

  my cat sleeps
  comfortable hole
  goodbye.

• [Sana Souratha]

  I remember I read this book in elementary school. I believe I was crying and the teacher asked what’s wrong.