‘Curious George’ and the escape from Nazi Germany

One of the most mischevious and lovable characters to populate children’s literature in the past century almost died in his infancy at the hands of Hitler.

A new book by Louise Borden entitled “The Journey that Saved Curious George,” recounts the true story of “Curious George” creators Margret and H.A. Rey’s rapid escape out of Paris hours before its occupation by Nazi Germany . Borden said that, if they hadn’t escaped, Curious George likely never would have seen the light of day.

“If the Reys had remained in France, even though their Brazilian passports did not state that they were Jewish, I am sure they would have been caught in the closing net of the Nazis and been deported to a concentraiont camp,” Borden said.

According to the book, the Rey’s began their journey out of France on a set of bicycles with nothing but the clothes on their backs and some of their manuscripts, including one that would later become “Curious George.”

First appearing in H.A.’s book “Raffy and the Nine Monkeys,” Curious George became a bestseller with books in the series selling more than thiry million copies worldwide and being translated into sixteen languages, including Yiddish, Afrikaans and Braille, according the publishers Web site, www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com.

“George can do what kids can’t do,” Margret said of her and her husband’s creation. “He can paint a room from the inside; he can hang from a kit in the sky; he can let the animals out of their pens on the farm. He can do all these naughty things that kids would like to do.”

The first seven Curious George stories were a collaborative effort between the couple, who met first in Germany, later in Rio De Janeiro where they were married in 1935. H.A. would take care of the ideas and illustrations while Margret would handle the plot and the writing. In all of their work together, the couple tried to focus on the child within themselves.

“I know what I liked as a child,” H.A. said, “and I don’t do any book that I, as a child, wouldn’t have liked.”

For more information on Curious George stories or the authors, visit www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com.

-mattgo@cc.usu.edu