Koko's Kitten by

What do Bumblebees like more than anything else in the world?
Well, I'm not sure about actual Bumblebees.  But my favorite Bumblebee is enamored of...kittens.  And although she's nearly 9 and reads on a Middle School or higher grade level...She still much prefers picture books.
There's nothing wrong with picture books.  And I'm a huge fan of them.  They make bedtime reading much easier on crazy late nights.
So any picture books about kittens are top of her list.  But I'm trying to find high level picture books for her to enjoy.  Things like "For the Love of Autumn" by Patricia Polacco.  Or "Tikvah Means Hope", also by Patricia Polacco.  (Ms. Polacco writes a lot of high level picture books, we've found.) 
And then I remembered a story I loved when I was young.  One that combined Bumblebee's love of cats with her love of endangered animals.  
Koko's Kitten.  A quick library search revealed 3 copies in the nonfiction section, and I made a special trip.
Of course, we were able to read it in one night.  It is a high interest level book, which can be enjoyed by grades 1 and up but is probably best suited for grades 3-4.
Those of us who grew up in the 80's probably remember Koko, the gorilla who learned how to communicate using sign language and subsequently dreamed of a kitten for Christmas.
Something Ms. Bumblebee can relate pretty strongly to.
This book is illustrated with actual photographs.  I remember them being more classic...but I read it first when it was published, 20 odd years ago.  And now, the photos definitely do look dated.  Not terribly dated...but the assistant's hair is definitely 80's!
We enjoyed the story of Koko.  I wish that it had been a little more in depth, and the materialistic view (Of her handler asking specifically what Koko wants as gifts) is harder for my kids to conceptualize than one might think.  I'd rather read about what she eats and does during the day.  But, that's neither here nor there.
What I didn't remember about the highly publicized story was that it's sad.
The reason it made headlines was, of course, because Koko wanted a kitten to help her through the grieving process after her first beloved kitten dies in a car accident.  The book doesn't dwell on the emotional impact, but it's sad.
Eventually, of course, a new kitten is found and all is well.  The entire book is written as a nonfiction retelling of what happens between when the handler figures out that Koko wants a real kitten (not a toy) and her finding the second kitten.  It's not really in "story" format, and it's told first person from the handler's point of view. 
Bumblebee read it three or four times, Penguin read it twice.  So, it still holds it's appeal to today's audience.  Parents and caretakers may not be as eager to read the whole thing aloud more than once, though.

It's still recommended reading for lovers of gorillas, kittens, and sign language.  :-)