This is the first time that I am participating in Non-Fiction Monday and I am extremely excited.

I have chosen to write about The Journey that Saved Curious George by Louise Borden. To be honest, I have never been a huge fan of Curious George. However, I have a foster child who was very fond of it. (She is now 22 and a recent college graduate - hurray!)

Recently, we went to the Jewish Museum in New York City to see the exhibition about the Reys' escape from Nazi-occupied Europe. It was an outstanding exhibit, but unfortunately, it ends on August 1st. If you have the time this week and happen to be in NYC, it is definitely worth seeing. If you can't make it to the museum, be sure to visit their website at http://www.thejewishmuseum.org/exhibi...

Naturally, after seeing this exhibit, I went to the library and borrowed the companion book. The Journey that Saved Curious George begins with a short biography of Hans Augusto Reyersbach, who later became known as H A Rey, and his future wife Margarete (Margret) Waldstein. They were both born and raised Jewish in Hamburg, Germany, although they didn't know each other then. They met and married in Brazil and eventually moved to Paris.

The majority of the book is then dedicated to their flight through France on bicycles built by Rey, always just ahead of the Nazis. Their lives are paralleled with the evolution of the Curious George character. The story is told in simple prose by Borden that never talks down to the reader, although it is written more for 9-12 year olds than for younger kids who might still be reading the Curious George books. The ink and watercolor illustrations by Allan Drummond are truly wonderful and supplemented throughout with photos and documents belonging to the Reys'. Many of the photos were taken by Margret Rey.

This is one of my favorite illustrations from the book, detailing people fleeing from Paris. While Drummond's illustration looks rather whimsical, it still manages to capture the sense of tension and fear that people must have felt. The Reys' loved Paris, and it must have been an incredibly difficult decision to flee, leaving behind most of their personal belongings, their friends, and their way of life for the unknown. But many people, like the Reys', were forced to make that choice to save their lives.

The Journey that Saved Curious George reminded me of an old novel I was given and had read a while back called The Schoolgirl Fugitives by Agnes M. Miall. Published in 1942, it is about two English schoolgirls who must flee their boarding school in Paris as the Nazis approach. Their flight through the French countryside is very similar to the one made by the Reys'.

A book guide for The Journey that Saved Curious George is available from the publisher Houghton Mifflin at http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/f... It is recommended for educators and librarians, though I think it could be valuable to anyone interested in H.A. and Margret Rey and their escape from France and the Nazis.

A very simple and cute little piece of research caught my attention. I was truly charmed by the wonderful photographs, illustrations, and the simple yet engaging prose. What made it even more special was the section at the back that encouraged children to follow along with the research techniques and steps. It was a great educational touch.

As I thought about the Reys' escape, several things really struck me. Firstly, they were financially stable and maintained a budget. This allowed them to be better prepared for any unforeseen circumstances. Secondly, they were vigilant and kept an eye on current events. They didn't wait until the last minute to panic but instead took proactive measures. Thirdly, they had the foresight to maintain important documents and foreign citizenship. When the time came, they were able to obtain the further documentation necessary for travel. Finally, they packed light and knew when it was time to get out. These are all valuable lessons that we can all pay attention to and learn from.

Overall, this research not only provided an interesting story but also offered some practical insights that can be applied in our own lives.

I didn't initially realize that this was written in a kid's style book. It's only 70 pages long and is filled with historical pictures and memorabilia.

However, this is a truly fascinating story. I'm extremely excited to read it aloud to my kids.

The writers of this story were Jews, and it took them a full 4 months to escape from Paris to New York.

Stories like these, which are full of adventure and the will to survive, are truly captivating. I love reading such stories to my children as it not only entertains them but also teaches them about history and the struggles that people have faced.

I can't wait to share this wonderful story with my kids and see their reactions as they listen to it.

Rey's journey from wartime Europe to the US with their copy of Curious George is an easy and informative travelogue.

It's a great and quick read aloud for the whole family, breathing life into the authors of everyone's favorite monkey.

The story brings up several important talking points to consider, such as bravery in the face of war and uncertainty, persistence in the pursuit of a better life, creativity in finding ways to overcome obstacles, compassion for others, and the importance of following your own path.

Readers will be inspired by Rey's adventures and the values that are showcased throughout the book.

Whether you're a fan of Curious George or simply looking for a heartwarming and educational story, this travelogue is sure to delight.

So grab a copy and embark on this wonderful journey with Rey and Curious George.

You won't be disappointed!

4.5 stars
This was an extremely interesting book that delved deep into the lives of the individuals who gave us the beloved Curious George. It is a detailed biography of the authors, revealing the fascinating journey of how Curious George came to be. It explores the significant role that the war played in George's life and the authors' unwavering commitment to getting their book into the hands of young children.

I have always had a great fondness for Curious George. His mischievous antics and exciting adventures never fail to bring a smile to my face. I vividly remember the book where he folded all the newspapers he was supposed to deliver and transformed them into boats. And then there was the one where George was scared to go to the dentist. I particularly liked George's expression in that book as it closely resembled how I feel when I have to visit that intimidating place.

I firmly believe that George opens up a whole new world to kids. He shows them that it's okay to be scared, not to have all the answers, and to ask questions. He does things that we might merely think about doing but never actually act upon. He represents our "what if" scenarios. The world is a vast and ever-evolving place, and George helps children navigate through it. He makes everything funny, calms our fears, and being a cute little monkey certainly adds to his charm.

As I read this book, I was truly amazed at the extraordinary lengths the Rey's went to in order to bring George to life within the pages of a book. The novel starts by introducing the couple as young children and then quickly progresses through their lives. Their dreams, college years, and experiences during WWI are all vividly described. The youngsters are shown enjoying their lives and doing what they do best: drawing and writing. Working in harmony, they decide to get married and share their apartment with a pair of marmosets. As I was reading this, I couldn't help but think how perfect this all seemed. Hans keeps a daily journal as they strive to get their projects into the hands of publishers. Then WWII begins, and the couple's living conditions become unstable. This couple has traveled far and wide by the time they finally find a place they can call home. It seemed as if they were constantly on the move, with their manuscripts and illustrations safely tucked away in their bags. Whether they were traveling by ship, train, or bike, the Rey's had to travel light, but they knew they had something truly special inside their bags. The illustrations were bright, cute, and whimsical, and they complemented the book perfectly. It was an educational and enlightening read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

This book was truly outstanding.

The illustrations and photographs within it were incredibly neat and visually appealing. They added a whole new dimension to the story, making it even more engaging to look at.

The story itself was also very interesting. It had a unique charm that kept me hooked from start to finish.

After reading this book, I have developed a newfound appreciation for the Curious George books that I have been reading with my son on a regular basis. It has made me realize the value and beauty of these classic children's stories.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone, whether they are a fan of Curious George or just looking for a great read. It is sure to bring joy and entertainment to readers of all ages.

A truly fascinating story unfolds in this account of how the authors of Curious George managed to escape from Europe during World War II. Their remarkable journey not only ensured their own safety but also saved the precious manuscript that would eventually be published. Borden's verse writing is a masterful way of presenting their timeline. Each line of the verse seems to flow seamlessly, guiding the reader through the events with ease. The illustrations, combined with primary source documents, add an extra layer of authenticity and enhance the overall effect. The detailed illustrations bring the story to life, allowing the reader to vividly imagine the scenes and the emotions of the characters. The primary source documents, such as letters and photographs, provide additional context and make the story even more engaging. Overall, this is a captivating tale that will appeal to readers of all ages.

Do you have a penchant for delving into the lives of the authors behind your most beloved books? If so, then this slender, illustrated, oversize volume chronicling the early writing career of H.A. and Margret Rey is an absolute must-read.

Their names are likely to strike a chord, as they are the brilliant minds responsible for creating "Curious George" and all of his captivating adventures. With each turn of the page, you'll find yourself smiling at the delightful drawings lifted directly from the books, as well as scenes from Paris and even their travels.

However, what many may not know is that the Reys had a harrowing adventure of their own when they managed to escape from Paris after it was seized by the Nazis in May of 1940. After perusing this concise biography, you'll undoubtedly be inspired to revisit "Curious George" and the other enchanting children's books penned by H.A. and Margret Rey.

It's a fascinating journey that offers a unique perspective on the lives of these talented authors and the circumstances that shaped their remarkable works.

Excellent picture book biography.

Whether children know Curious George through books or film, in one way or another, they will surely appreciate learning about the severe trials that the author and illustrator had to face. These trials were not easy, but they persevered in order to bring to life and produce the delightful characters that we all know and love as George and his friend with the yellow hat.

Their determination and hard work paid off, as Curious George has become a beloved classic that has entertained generations of children. Through this picture book biography, children can gain a deeper understanding and respect for the creative process and the people behind their favorite characters.

2.6

This text seems more like a book outline rather than a captivating story for young readers. There are an excessive number of unfamiliar places and terms that might confuse them. For instance, the first sentence states, "In 1906, Hans Augusto Reyersbach was a boy growing up in Hamburg, Germany, a port city with canals and a thousand bridges... and the River Elbe that ran to the North Sea."

However, there seems to be no real reason to mention the River Elbe or the North Sea as they are not referred to again and do not contribute significantly to the story.

Although there is a map, surprisingly, Germany is not even on it. Additionally, it is mentioned that in 1906, he was 10 years old, but Borden didn't state this explicitly. The next sentence starts with "At the age of eight...", which gives an odd sequencing.

While the photos do offer some assistance, they are often too small to have a substantial impact. For example, the Mont St Michel is used as background art, but it is nearly impossible to decipher.

Kids might look at the pictures and perhaps read a few pages, but it will truly require a creative teacher to bring this text to life for the students.

A delightful read awaits Curious George fans of all ages. Ms. Borden emphasizes the creativity and adventurous spirit of the intrepid Hans and Margret Ray. They both immigrated from Germany to Brazil. They had known each other in Germany and then collaborated artistically, producing children's books, and later married in Brazil, where they became citizens.

On a honeymoon trip to Europe, they visited Paris for weeks and decided to rent a flat and stay for several years. However, then came Hitler's invasion of France.

The story of their escape is told in a light-hearted manner, although older readers can infer some of the difficulties. Here's a fun fact: Curious George's working title was "The Adventures of Fifi."

The Holocaust is indeed not a light subject, but depending on a child's age, "The Journey" could serve as a gentle introduction to it. As an adult, I read it with a lump in my throat, realizing the gravity of the situation they faced.

This book was truly a delight to read. Despite the fact that the characters were Jews fleeing for their lives, it had a relatively light tone. This seemed to be in line with H.A. Reys' personality.

It was really interesting how excerpts from his journal and other documents were incorporated into the story. It added an extra layer of authenticity and made the reading experience even more engaging. And I'm relieved that they didn't keep the monkey named Fifi.

Lila's observation was also quite astute. I like how they placed a higher value on the books and illustrations they were working on compared to their other possessions, considering they couldn't carry much with them while on the run. It shows their passion and dedication to their work, even in the face of such adversity.

Overall, this book was a great read that managed to balance a serious subject matter with a touch of lightheartedness. It's a testament to the author's skill and creativity.