Just Curious

THE JOURNEY OF GEORGE'S CREATORS

The adventures of Curious George have been etched in the memories of generations of children, but until now, the details of his very first journey—taken on the backs of his creators— have remained a secret. In June of 1940, only hours before the Nazis seized control of Paris, Margret and H. A. Rey built two bicycles from spare parts, packed a few belongings (including one very important manuscript), and rode through the South of France for three days, beginning a trip that would take them to Portugal, Rio de Janeiro, and, eventually, New York. Using H.A.'s personal papers, children's author Louise Borden has lovingly pieced together the story, illustrated by Allan Drummond, in The Journey That Saved Curious George (Houghton Mifflin). The tale ends happily: not only did the Reys escape the Nazis, but George escaped his original name, Fifi.

ANNE FULENWIDER