The Journey That Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H.A. Rey
Curious George New Adventures Series
What’s inside...
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.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-11
Length
80 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think motivated Margret and H.A. Rey to escape and save their manuscripts?
How do you think the Reys felt during their journey? Can you relate to any of their feelings?
What does the story of Curious George teach us about the importance of perseverance and creativity?
Why is it important to protect and save stories, according to the Reys' experience?
How can we apply the lessons from the Reys' escape to our own challenges?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and emotions about the Reys' journey, fostering a deeper connection with the story.
Discuss the historical context of the Reys’ escape to help your child understand the significance of their actions.
Relate the themes of perseverance and creativity in the book to personal experiences your child may have had to illustrate these values in real life.
Highlight the impact of courage in difficult times, and ask your child to think of times when they were brave.
Use the illustrations in the book to help visualize the scenes and deepen the discussion about the story’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The story showcases Margret and H.A. Rey's courageous escape from war-torn Europe, highlighting their determination and resilience.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of perseverance and courage, useful when facing challenges in school or personal life.
Example Lesson: Importance of creativity and innovation
Explanation: Throughout their journey, the Reys used their creative skills to solve problems and navigate difficult situations.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use their imagination and think outside the box in problem-solving situations at home or school.
Example Lesson: Value of collaboration
Explanation: The success of Margret and H.A. Rey's escape was partly due to their ability to work together and support each other.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the benefits of cooperating and working together with peers or family members to achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Historical awareness
Explanation: The book provides historical context of the early 1940s Europe, enhancing children’s understanding of world history.
Real-World Application: Helps children appreciate and learn from historical events and the impact they have on current times.