Illustrated by Allan Drummond Publication date: September 26, 2005 Published by Houghton Mifflin Everybody loves Curious George, the mischievous monkey, but few know the harrowing story behind his creators' narrow escape from Paris just hours before the Nazis seized control of the city. In 1940, Hans and Margret Rey had to flee their home as the German army advanced. They began their journey to freedom on bicycles, pedaling to southern France with their children's book manuscripts among their few possessions. One of these manuscripts went on to become Curious George, the tale of that inquisitive monkey who is one of the most enduring characters in children's literature. The Reys' story is now told in dramatic detail in The Journey That Saved Curious George. Published more than sixty years ago, Curious George continues to amuse, teach, and entertain children today. George will be seen on the big screen in early 2006 in an animated feature film starring Will Ferrell as the Man with the Yellow Hat. WGBH, the award-winning PBS affiliate, is creating a math and science concept show for preschoolers, to air in fall 2007 as part of their "Ready to Learn" programming, starring Curious George. Readers who have loved George for generations and those just making his acquaintance will be intrigued by the thrilling story of his road to publication. Louise Borden combed primary resources, including Hans Rey's pocket diaries, to tell this dramatic story. Archival materials— photographs, train ticket stubs, letters and cards—introduce readers to the world of Hans and Margret Rey, and Allan Drummond dramatically and colorfully illustrates their wartime trek to a new home. Follow the Reys' amazing story in this unique large-format book that resembles a travel journal; see for yourself the route the Reys took as they traveled to freedom. "A stirring, uplifting, and elegantly packaged saga."—Publishers Weekly, starred Click here to go to the Curious George website. Click here to read the press release. Click here to read a "Conversation with Louise Borden"
				For many years, I was intrigued by the story of Margret and H.A. Rey's flight from Paris on bicylces in June 1940. Others in the children's book field had mentioned this escape from the Nazi invasion, but no one seemed to know the details of those harrowing days. The story felt incomplete. I wanted to know more. I wanted real images. I was curious, just like the Reys' famous little monkey, George. And so I began my own journey, a journey of research. A rich source for my research was Margret and Hans Rey's personal papers, donated by their estate to the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection at the University of Southern Mississippi. This nationally known library houses the papers and original artwork of more than1200 children's book authors and illustrators. But after sifting through hundreds of the Reys' letters, notebook pages, and photographs and even after wsalking through Paris on various research trips, I still had many questions without answers. How many kilometers did the Reys travel on those two bicycles? Which roads did they follow on their journey south? What happened to the belongings that they had to leave behind? What wartime dangers did they face? Over several years, I had conversations in person or by phone with people who had known the Reys. I wrote letters and e-mailed people in Germany, England, Portugal, and France. And I traveled in person to some of the towns, cities, and addresses gleaned from the letters and work diaries that the Reys wrote during the years 1936-1940, the years that they lived in Paris. Each step of the way, I tried to focus on Margret and Hans before Curious George was published and brought them fame. Dates, postmarks, travel papers, and expense records provided invaluable clues in French, English, German, and Portugese. Newspaper interviews from the 1940's and 1950's gave me needed details. Slowly, piece by piece, I began to stitch together the fabric of their story. The Journey that Saved Curious George—The True Wartime Escape of Chidlren's Book Creators Margret and H.A. Rey is my writer's way of becoming a witness to part of Hans and Margret's story. It is my way of honoring their creativity and their courage during a dark time in history for many countries of Europe.
		Excerpt of Afterword by Louise Borden …in 1942, sixty-five years ago, CECILY G. AND THE NINE MONKEYS was published by Houghton Mifflin, and has been in print ever since. How lucky for the Reys, that one day long ago in Paris, Hans's drawing of a giraffe caught the attention of Jacque Schiffrin. How wonderful that the kind-hearted Rafi, also known as Raffy, and now known as Cecily G., was with them from the very beginning… Along with Mother Pamplemoose's little monkey Fifi, who later would have his own adventures, and narrow escapes, as the beloved Curious George. And how very remarkable that Hans and Margret made their wartime journey safely. They found friendship, creative work, and a new home in America. And like the nin monkeys, they decided to stay. For the full Story Behind the Story of Cecily G, click to order this book now.