H.A. and Marget Rey’s contribution to children’s literature is unarguably huge, with the appeal of Curious George showing no signs of diminishing, well, ever. The insatiably curious monkey, along with the Man With the Yellow Hat, Pretzel, and other familiar faces have won a lasting place in the minds of little ones and young-at-heart adults, and the following are just a small sample of the books (and animated features) you can checkout to join in the 75th Anniversary celebration.
Start Here:
The Complete Adventures of Curious George.
“This is George. He lived in Africa. He was a good little monkey, and always very curious.
With these words, H.A. and Margret Rey introduced the world to Curious George, and the world has loved him ever since. The tales of this cheerful and resilent little heror have kept generations of readers enthralled and entertained. This lavish edition includes an introduction by Leonard S. Marcus, Publisher’s Perspective by Anita Silvey, retrospective essay by Dee Jones with photographic album of Margaret and H. A. Rey, and the seven original tales of Curious George: Curious George, Curious George Gets a Medal, Curious George Flies a Kite, Curious George Rides a Bike, Curious George Goes to the Hospital, Curious George Takes a Job, and Curious George Learns the Alphabet. This volume also includes two audio CDs with recordings of the seven stories—more than one hour of storytelling!”
Next Stop:
Louise Borden, Allan Drummond. The Journey that Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margaret and H.A. Rey. 2010.
“In 1940, Hans and Margret Rey fled their Paris home as the German army advanced. They began their harrowing journey on bicycles, pedaling to Southern France with children’s book manuscripts among their few possessions. Louise Borden combed primary resources, including Hans Rey’s pocket diaries, to tell this dramatic true story. Archival materials introduce readers to the world of Hans and Margret Rey while Allan Drummond dramatically and colorfully illustrates their wartime trek to a new home. Follow the Rey’s amazing story in this unique large format book that resembles a travel journal and includes full-color illustrations, original photos, actual ticket stubs and more. A perfect book for Curious George fans of all ages.”
A Little to the Left:
Leonard S. Marcus. Dear Genius: The Letters of Ursula Nordstrom. 2000.
“She trusted her immense intuition and generous heart—and published the most. Ursula Nordstrom, director of Harper’s Department of Books for Boys and Girls from 1940 to 1973, was arguably the single most creative force for innovation in children’s book publishing in the United States during the twentieth century. Considered an editor of maverick temperament and taste, her unorthodox vision helped create such classics as Goodnight Moon, Charlotte’s Web, Where the Wild Things Are, Harold and the Purple Crayon, and The Giving Tree.
Leonard S. Marcus has culled an exceptional collection of letters from the HarperCollins archives. The letters included here are representative of the brilliant correspondence that was instrumental in the creation of some of the most beloved books in the world today. Full of wit and humor, they are immensely entertaining, thought-provoking, and moving in their revelation of the devotion and high-voltage intellect of an incomparably gifted editor, mentor, and publishing visionary.”
Watch It:
Curious George. 2006.
“Ted (voice of Will Ferrell) is an explorer with a large yellow hat who is good friends with Bloomsberry (voice of Dick Van Dyke), who runs a natural history museum. Bloomsberry’s greedy son, Bloomsberry Junior (voice of David Cross), wants to tear down his dad’s museum and put a parking ramp in its place, but the elder Bloomsberry is convinced that a spectacular new exhibit could save the museum from the wrecking ball. Ted heads to Africa on an expedition to find some special artifacts that will keep his friend in business, but while he’s there he befriends a playful monkey he calls George (voice of Frank Welker). While George is friendly, he has a taste for mischief and seems to always get Ted in hot water; Ted thinks he’s seen the last of his simian friend when his ship heads back to America, until he discovers that George managed to hide aboard the boat before it set sail. Ted’s search for a eye-catching exhibit proved to be a failure, and Ted and his good friend Maggie (voice of Drew Barrymore), a schoolteacher who’s sweet on him, struggle to find of a way to save Bloomsberry’s museum. But time becomes precious for Ted when George has an entire new city to explore.”