King Kong's Cousin

by Mark Teague

From bestselling author-illustrator Mark Teague comes a laugh-out-loud, black-and-white picture book introducing Junior, King Kong’s cousin!

Junior wants to be as big and as strong and as special as his cousin, Kong, but he always seems to come up short. Kong climbs skyscrapers; Junior is afraid of heights. Kong does whatever he wants; Junior does chores. When Junior’s beloved cat gets stuck in a tree, will this be his chance to save the day?

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Family, Childrens, Humor, Storytime, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published August 30, 2022

About the author

Mark Teague has delighted young readers with more than 20 picture books, and he has written many of them himself, including the popular Pigsty, Baby Tamer, and One Halloween Night. He is also the illustrator of Cynthia Rylant's beloved Poppleton series for beginning readers and the best-selling books by Jane Yolen, How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight and How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon.

Mark Teague's life changed when he moved from San Diego to New York City and he planted the seed for his first picture book, The Trouble with the Johnsons. Each of Teague's books start as "notebooks full of sketches and scribbles, strange little drawings and phrases that suddenly come together," Teague explains. And although he had no formal writing training, his endless imagination and understanding nature gives him a permanent place in the hearts of everyone.

Mark and his wife live in Coxsackie, New York, with their young daughter Lily, who has a great time watching her dad paint the pictures in his books.

Reviews

[Stay Fetters · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Kong wrestled dinosaurs. Kong climbed to the tops of skyscrapers. Junior climbed onto his piano bench."

King Kong is known worldwide for being big and strong. We never hear about his family. Never ever and that all changes today. We meet his cousin, Junior. He's not as big or strong as his cousin but he has a lot of heart and is very brave.

This was a really cute story. Great at teaching the little ones about opposites and also about being yourself. That ending was so super sweet. Very enjoyable.

Just remember to be yourself. We aren't all built the same but we all have unique qualities that make us who we are. Having role models is cool but being yourself is way cooler.

*I'm starting to believe that Junior's Mom is human. Umm... ouch!*

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, Simple. Good storytime choice for monkeys or about big/small.

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teague's illustration style is so appealing to me, I don't know why I don't seek him out more. As much as I am annoyed by illustrators who insist on putting all the female characters into bows and skirts, which aren't mandatory for most and not so popular, it doesn't bother me so much with Teague who's world is a middle-class. integrated, urban 30s. It's uncluttered with very few cars, and no power lines, and of course, dinosaurs. It makes me happy.

Library copy

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute illustrations, love the cat, weird that junior’s mom has human hands and no hair.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Junior feels inadequate in just about everything because his cousin, King Kong, is famous and outshines everyone. Will he ever learn to accept himself and love himself just as he is, while striving to improve. A fun group read aloud.

[John Mullarkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone knows the great King Kong! But - what about his cousin Junior? I didn't think so! King Kong's Cousin introduces readers to Junior who is nothing like King Kong at all. While King Kong is climbing buildings, wrestling dinosaurs, and doing all things large and grand, Junior is at home, eating his Bamboo, doing his exercises and hanging out with his cat, Bernice. It is very normal and kind of boring; that is until one day when Bernice gets stuck in a tree, and it is up to Junior (not King Kong) to be the one to save the day (Oh yes, and did I mention that Junior is also afraid of heights!). This is another wonderful picture book by author/illustrator Mark Teague (Funny Farm, Pigsty, and the LaRue series) that shows that everyone is different - and good at certain things, while at the same time it is most important to "be yourself". It is a great message for young readers. In addition, this makes for a terrific read aloud; kids will easily pick up on the visual "opposites" between King King and Junior and find the cool black and white "classic film" illustrations equally funny and unique.

[Thompson McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kong is the most gigantic gorilla in the world: when he takes a bath, it's in the NY harbor. He wrestles dinosaurs. He's as big as a huge apartment building. Junior looks up (literally) to his cousin Kong. Junior does exercises and eats his bamboo, but he doesn't get any bigger.

Junior's mother tells him not to worry; someday he'll be big and strong too, Junior sees his cousin Kong become famous: he's on broadway, in movies and even the marshal of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

One day Bernice the cat cries out from the top of a tree. Junior must save his friend! He goes into action and pulls Bernice to safety. Back on the ground, Junior realizes he rescued Bernice and he feels a little bit bigger.

Classic Teague humor and fantastic illustrations of each character capture the heart of this picture book. It would be hard to compare Mark Teague to any other author/illustrator. Teague is simply the BEST.

Highly, highly recommended for all young readers. A heartfelt book!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

King Kong is bigger, stronger, and more famous than his cousin Junior. Junior does his exercises, eats his bamboo and marks his height on the wall to track his growth. But he doesn't seem to be getting bigger or stronger. It's hard not to compare himself with his amazing cousin.

This is darling and could lead to great discussions about our self-worth, not comparing, and the importance of doing good.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This book introduces King Kong's much smaller cousin and his desire to grow up and be just like his enormous, famous cousin. But he learns that no matter our age or size, we all have an important part to play.

I love Mark Teague's illustrations and the concept is a cute idea but honestly, the story wasn't particularly interesting or remarkable.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever felt overshadowed or less than awesome? Try being King Kong's cousin, Junior.
Cousin Kong can jump on buildings and wrestle monsters, while Junior is afraid.
Kong is enormous and Junior is....well not so much.

Mark Teague gives a humorous lesson in being your best self and that being enough as told through the eyes of a young ape, with fun black and white illustrations.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story about a cousin who compared himself to the famous King Kong. He doesn't do extravagant things, but he does a brave thing. He didn't feel brave, but he did feel warm and happy.

It does give a hint of a Thanksgiving story, because Kong is in the Thanksgiving Day parade. And the cousin's family did enjoy a wonderful dinner.

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even if you're not a King Kong fan, you'll enjoy this story in which his young cousin Kong compares himself to King Kong. Even though, Kong is not as big as King Kong, being brave makes him feel bigger. If you're looking for a new Thanksgiving read-aloud (it has a Thanksgiving Day parade in it), this will be perfect.

[Kelly]

This book is so cute. First off, I love Teague's illustration style. It even reads Caldecott worthy, his style does. The book ends pretty weird, so I think that unfortunately detracts from the book overall, but it's a mostly cute story.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great title - rolls off the tongue and fun to say aloud. Junior is nothing like his celebrity cousin, Kong. A story about being thankful for what we have and who we are. And about finding the things that make us happy.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! Comedic illustrations are as engaging as they are funny and underneath is a wonderful message to little people measuring themselves against grown-up idols. Unusual and powerful in an understated way.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little gorilla teaches kids how to handle family rivalry by choosing not to measure himself by others’ standards but rather by his own yardstick—or ruler, in this case. Odd inter-species relationships leave one guessing. Black-and-white pencil drawings lack vibrancy.

[Rebecca Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little people can do big things is the takeaway here, even if they don't always feel very confident. This was a sweet story with limited colors in the illustration and a cult classic character. The random mention of Thanksgiving felt unnecessary.

[Saritza · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s tough to be a relative to a celebrity. It’s gotta be even tougher when they’re larger than life but we don’t have to live in their shadow. We can be just as heroic, just as important. Even if we’re only 1/8 their size.

[Alison N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous and adorable old-school illustrations help tell the not-so-famous tale of King Kong's cousin Junior, who finds it tricky living in his famous cousin's enormous shadow. But Junior may surprise you, and even surprise himself a little. Great for fans of giant monsters and feel-good stories.

[Rolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and funny, a great message for kids who feel like they're not "measuring up" to an older figure in their lives.

Did require some pre-read homework, though, as my kids didn't know who King Kong was.

[Adam Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute book I found at The Empire State Building. Very appropriate. It is a great story for those little boys and girls who want to grow up to big big and strong, but still be kind and gentle too.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. King Kong has a cousin named Junior. Kong does things like climbing skyscrapers and starring in movies. Junior plays the piano and feeds his goldfish, Larry. I loved the story and the pictures.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is tough living in the shadow of his cousin, King Kong. Junior just wants to be big and strong like him. But when the moment comes, Junior proves himself. Very cute story. Love the illustrations.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Junior wants to be as special and fearless as his much larger cousin, and gets to show his stuff when he rescues his beloved kitty stuck up in a tree.

[Ann Haefele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story with a message that one can still “measure up” and be brave even if small. Wry humor is used in the illustrations. Loved watching the antics of Junior’s cat named Bernice.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The littlest Kong discovers you don't have to be skyscraper-sized to do something heroic. Absolutely charming and funny illustrations.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cuz stops comparing abilities and becomes happier.

[Abbigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just fine. I like someone else's idea about using this book for a big and small-themed storytime

[Benjamin Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 The message is good and Mark Teague's art is always fun, but the King Kong-ness of the story was just distracting.