Curious George

This children's story, published in 1941, has become an international classic. Appearing during the Second World War, it explores relevant themes for children during wartime, namely curiosity and danger. The central character, George, is captured in his native jungle by a zoologist as a result of his characteristic curiosity and taken to America. There his curiosity again leads him into dangerous situations. There isn't a moralistic side to the story — he's not deliberately mischievous but his curiosity is still putting him and others at risk.

The co-author Hans Rey (né Reyersbach, born 16 September 1898) was brought up in Hamburg, where he lived close to the zoo and spent a lot of time there observing the animals. He joined the army as an 18 year old and served in France and Russia. After the war he studied at the universities of München and Hamburg. His first illustrations were published in 1923. In 1925, due to the economic depression he emigrated to Brazil. He later met there a family friend from Hamburg and he married Margret in 1935 and relocated to France later that year. While living in Paris, his animal drawings for several children's books came to the attention of a French publisher, who commissioned him to write a children's book and it was published in 1939. The couple, both Jews, had completed the manuscript for the next book (this one) when they were forced to flee into exile in June 1940 by the impending Nazi invasion. Settling in New York, the couple agreed a four-book deal with a Boston publisher in February 1941 and Curious George appeared later that year. It's generally accepted that the storyline was largely Margret's work with Hans adding the illustrations. They produced a further six books about the same character as well as several other story books for children. Hans also wrote an illustrated guide to astronomy.

George, the monkey featured in the story, ends up in prison. When the guard enters his cell, he manages to escape and goes up onto the roof.
“And then he was lucky to be a monkey:
out he walked onto the telephone wires.
Quickly and quietly over the guard's head,
George walked away.
He was free!”

This passage no doubt brought to mind for the authors how they had themselves escaped Paris by bicycle to Orleans from where they took a train to the Spanish border and freedom.