This is the true tale of Alice Kirk and Nicko, the baby vervet monkey that was found abandoned on her home farm in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.

Alice and her husband Jack shared their home with a menagerie of animals – both domestic and wild! Alice agreed to raise Nicko and he remained there as her companion until he died of old age at 17. The story encompasses his interaction with the other animals of the household, as well as humans. It carries the reader through a range of adventures and emotions from the wonderfully whacky and hilarious to alarming and sometimes sad.

Author Penny Haw is the granddaughter of Alice and throughout her childhood, Penny was entertained with the stories of Nicko’s escapades. She now retells these tales in the first person through Alice’s ‘voice’. Children (of all ages) will enjoy them, and the relationship between Nicko and Alice, and Nicko and other animal species, will fascinate all animal lovers.