Donkey Kong Country: Rescue on Crocodile Isle
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Donkey Kong Country: Rescue on Crocodile Isle is a 1997 chapter book written by Michael Teitelbaum, illustrated by Leif Peng and published by Troll Communications. It is the third book in its series, preceded by Donkey Kong Country in 1994, and Donkey Kong Country: Rumble in the Jungle in 1995. Rescue on Crocodile Isle shares the same cover artwork and similar plot line as the game Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest. This is unlike Rumble in the Jungle, which shares cover artwork with the game Donkey Kong Land, although with several differences in the story and characters.
Plot
One sunny day, Donkey Kong was relaxing on a beach chair on one of the shores of Donkey Kong Island, drinking a banana milkshake. He is interrupted by Cranky Kong, who scolds him for being a "big, lazy ape". Later that evening when Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong return to their treehouse, they find that Cranky and his wife Wrinkly Kong are worried about how Donkey Kong hasn't returned from the beach yet. They all travel there to investigate, and soon find that Donkey Kong's beach chair and sunglasses were smashed to pieces. The Kongs also spot Kremling footprints in the sand, and they understand that Donkey Kong has been kidnapped by Kaptain K. Rool, who had left a note that reads:
To the yellow-bellied, landlubbing Kong family: Hah-arrrh! We got the big monkey on Crocodile Isle! If you want him back, you scurvy dogs, you'll have to hand over the banana hoard!
With a sigh, Cranky Kong states that they should give up the banana hoard if they ever want to see that "lazy ape" again. However Diddy and Dixie immediately decide to go and rescue him, preferring that Cranky doesn't join them as they think he's had "enough adventures for one lifetime". Offended and doubtful that they will succeed alone, Cranky returns to the treehouse with Wrinkly. The following morning before daybreak, Diddy and Dixie borrow a small sailing ship from the docks, and load it with food supplies and barrels. They set sail for Crocodile Isle, and Diddy Kong uses a compass and sea chart to navigate. Suddenly, Cranky Kong emerged from one of the crates, hiding there since before Diddy and Dixie arrived at the dock. Cranky Kong proceeds to tell them "many stories" of his youth, until an evening storm approaches the ship. The storm's gales grew stronger, and soon sends them falling overboard.
While in the water, the Kongs see Shuri the Starfish and Lockjaw the Piranha approaching them, preparing to attack. Enguarde the Swordfish intervenes, giving the Kongs some "breathing barrels" which allows them to breathe underwater. Enguarde then attacks Lockjaw and Shuri with his swordlike nose, and then leads the Kongs back to their ship, which was now slightly waterlogged. Setting sail again, the tides grew stronger as the Kongs approached Crocodile Isle. They are pulled into Crocodile Cauldron, a lava-filled cove, and the ship bursts into flames.
Diddy suggests that they use the raised crocodile heads in the lava as stepping stones to reach safety (referencing the level Hot-Head Hop in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest). Diddy and Dixie Kong quickly move over the crocodile heads, although Cranky has trouble keeping his balance, almost falling into the lava. He is saved by Squawks the Parrot, who deposits Cranky on the shoreline. Squawks then suggests that the Kongs go to Gangplank Galleon, K. Rool's old pirate ship, which may be a likely place to hide Donkey Kong. The Kongs make their way around Crocodile Isle's coast, until they reach Gangplank Galleon floating in a cove. They swim to the ship, and Dixie distracts the Kremlings onboard by using her ponytail to sling an exploding barrel far out into the water, allowing them to sneak onboard and begin searching for Donkey Kong.
Gallery
The novel's back cover.
