Donkey Kong Country

Donkey Kong Country #1

by Michael Teitelbaum

When the Kremlings steal his supply of bananas, Donkey Kong, his friend, Diddy Kong, and his grandfather, Cranky Kong, undertake a dangerous journey to recover their fruit

Genres: Video Games

64 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1995

About the author

Michael Teitelbaum has been a writer and editor of children’s books for more than thirty years. He worked on staff as an editor at Golden Books, Grossett & Dunlop, and Macmillan. In addition to The Scary States of America, Michael’s fiction work includes The Very Hungry Zombie: A Parody, and The Very Thirsty Vampire: A Parody both done with artist extraordinaire Jon Apple, published by Skyhorse. His non-fiction work includes writing Jackie Robinson: Champion for Equality, published by Sterling, and The Baseball Hall of Fame, a 2-volume encyclopedia, published by Grolier. He is also the series editor of Great Escapes, true-life acts of incredible courage, published by Harper Collins.
Michael has always had an interest in the paranormal, despite a rather normal childhood in Brooklyn, NY. These days, Michael lives with his wife, Sheleigah, and two talkative cats in an (as yet unhaunted) 180-year-old farmhouse in the beautiful Catskill Mountains of upstate New York.

Reviews

[Kristin B. Bodreau · Rating 4 out of 5]

About a month ago I learned that this book existed and mentioned it to a delightful friend. Today it was handed to me as a gift. Along with a note reminding me to make sure I post a full review on Goodreads. So here it is.

A nostalgic masterpiece! I spent many hours in my youth either playing this game, or watching my mom and my sister play. (I wasn’t great at video games so it was mostly watching.)

It’s probably been about 20 years since the last time I experienced the game, but the pages of the book brought all of the memories rushing right back. It follows the game play and I could see the Kremlings attacking Diddy. I could picture Donkey’s heartbroken expression when he discovered Diddy and the banana hoard gone. Cranky Kong jumped right off the page in all his snarky glory.

I felt like I was running through the jungle, scaling the frigid mountain, racing through the old mine shafts and battling the evil King K. Rool.

Maybe not the epitome of fine literature, but the absolute pinnacle of warm nostalgic fuzziness. A blast from the past right out of 1995, reaching back to an awkward preteen bonding with her mom and sister over some courageous primates and their missing bananas.

Docking one star for a repetitive phrase typo on page 31. Since it’s only 64 pages, that’s a fairly high percentage of typos per page.

Many thanks to my wonderful friend, for the evening spent with fond memories.

[Francis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the first chapter book that I’ve read to my 4-year old son. However, the review is my opinion, and not his.

Donkey Kong is my all time favourite video game character and I was super excited to read a book about him. But this book was just bad. The storyline was not what I thought it would be. It didn’t make sense. I was quite disappointed. Oh well.

[Justin Tate · Rating 4 out of 5]

After too many dark novels in a row, this suitably cleansed my reading palate. It is a slim “novelization” of the iconic 1994 SNES video game and about as terrible/delightful as you might expect.

The trouble begins on a stormy night in a deep part of the jungle. Picture the second level, aka “Ropey Rampage.” Diddy, who’s on duty to guard the Kong banana hoard, is ambushed by a gang of Kremlings. Despite his best “cartwheel attacks” their sheer numbers overtake him. A Kremling “traps” him in a barrel while they escape with the loot. The next morning Donkey Kong wakes up to find all bananas gone and Diddy in the barrel—so that’s why you get the other player in specially marked barrels!

With the help of Cranky Kong and Rambi the Rhino, the monkeys set off to retrieve their banana supply and, because it’s the ‘90s, also put an end to the Kremlings’ pollution which is destroying the jungle. I miss those good ole’ days when Captain Planet and FernGully was on TV and everything was a public service announcement about recycling. Back then it wasn’t a “crying liberal” thing to care about the planet. What the hell happened?

I digress.

Through the Treetop Village and across the Snowy Mountains they go, taking on villains like Necky, Mini-Necky and Slippa the Snake with the aid of other friends of the Kongs. Such as Squawks the Parrot, complete with “high-powered flashlight” in its talons, and Expresso the Ostrich.

When they enter an underwater world they meet Enguarde the Swordfish, who provides special breathing barrels for their extended oceanic journey. This fills in a major plot hole of the video game, where the Kongs seemingly breathe underwater for exceptionally long durations.

Finally the Kongs face off with King K. Rool and his henchmen. Donkey does his signature “hand-slap attack” and barrel roll, which affronts with the appearance of a rolling, “giant hairy ball.” Diddy pounces expertly on the Kremlings heads and cartwheels several off the ship.

Before they can defeat King K. Rool, however, the “supreme commander” manages to escape, teasing us to find out what happens next in the second book.

For DK fans who know every frame of the game, this is a well-spent half hour of reading. Too bad I wasn’t aware of these books back when I was a kid because I would have loved them. Outside of the fun descriptions of familiar attacks, you also get insight into the characters. Cranky Kong is predictably sour, but more fun than he comes across in the game. Diddy shows some personality by idolizing Donkey Kong and revealing insecurities over his youthful stature. Donkey, meanwhile, is a sufficiently protective older brother with hints of an ego complex.

Sadly, I’m hooked enough that I really want to go on and read the next book in the trilogy. Maybe I’ll read another dark, depressing book first? Maybe not?

[Chance Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's rough but I don't think it's all that bad. More like a tough start to the trilogy.

Cover
I really like this cover. A total full bleed cover with I normally like already. The cover really isn't obvious but having DK and the Banana's is a nice subtle nod. As a cover this is what I would expect it to look like. Pretty standard but still nice.

Interior
If you are going to build a book from the ground up based on a video game the rule really should be trying to expand the world not sitting limited to what you are offered. This book really doesn't feel like it builds the world as much as travel here travel there see these things from the game? Remember Rambi? With that It is the first book in the trilogy and I think it does get better as it continues on.
There is one amazing moment that I absolutely love in this book. After Diddy loses to the Kremlins he is locked in a barrel and has to be rescued. That is absolutely brilliant! This expands the video game so much. I am sure Donkey Kong is a lot trickier to re-create.
I do have to say I think I would have preferred if Cranky was used less in the book. I also have to say I do like that even Diddy's happy ending to be a hero and have DK's acceptance came true. There are nice personal touches though out the book and I have to say Cranky can be ruthless with the quips.

[J.B. Mathias · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was exactly what childrens novelization of an old 90's video game should do. It was faithful to the game in a way that was readable and made sense. It added some story to a game from a time when we didn't care about plot and just wanted to smash barrels and squash crocodiles. Short and sweet with some decent illustrations. The dialogue could be pretty stilted even for a kids book but overall it was good.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in the hospital and bored out of my mind. My friend lived nearby and I asked him if he could bring me some books. He came by with the only books he had for the moment before he went to the store for me: A copy of Queue magazine, The Disaster Artist and this.

Let me tell you, the joy this book brought me, a 35 year old going through a very difficult time, can't be understated. I love this book. God bless books with hastily drawn line work illustrations.

[Adam C · Rating 3 out of 5]

As far as children's books about Donkey Kong go, this one is pretty great. Could've gone a tad longer and worked in more elements of the game, but at the end of the day it's a pretty solid adaptation for kids.

[Thomas Unitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to whoever uploaded this to Internet Archive!

This is certainly a children’s book and deviates from the game sure but if you’ve got a child that likes DK and wants to get into reading this’ll do nicely.

[Chene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it as a kid

[Naomi · Rating 2 out of 5]

TOO INACCURATE.