Curious George: How the Nazis almost destroyed a beloved character

Curious George has been a staple in our household since my youngest was six months old. Fast forward five years and that curious little monkey continues to grace both our TV and bookshelves. It is the only story that has grown with my son through every stage thus far. Before he had any grasp on the story, it was the bright colors that initially captivated his attention. As he transitioned into his toddler years, the curious adventures of George began to make him laugh, and as he has grown into a young boy, the monkey that first drew him in continues to educate and entertain. My eighteen-month-old has recently begun his own journey with that “good little monkey,” and I can only hope his endearing, inquisitive nature will continue to fill our home for years to come.

Whether through TV or books, George has captured the hearts of kids and adults alike for nearly 100 years. The original story was published in 1941 and has never been out of print since its initial release. While George and his curious nature have left an indelible mark on generations, it is the often unknown story of the authors of the original book that adds an emotional depth to this classic kid’s tale and makes it all the more loveable. As unbelievable as it may sound, if the Nazis had their way, George would have been destroyed before his story ever reached print.

Curious George was written by husband and wife, Hans Augusto (H.A.) and Margret Rey. Following a brief meeting in Hamburg, the Reys went their separate ways before reconnecting in Brazil where they married. The couple moved to Paris in the mid-1930s and began work on their first Curious George manuscript. Before the book could be published, war began to ravage Europe, and Hitler and his German forces began bearing down on the city of Paris. While the prospect of war loomed threateningly over the entire continent, the Reys found themselves in a dire situation. Both Margret and H.A. were Jewish.

Facing almost certain death if they decided to remain in Paris, the Reys knew they had to flee to safety. Early in the morning of June 14, 1940, the couple climbed aboard two bicycles which H.A. had assembled from spare parts. They carried nothing but the bare essentials including warm clothing, food and the manuscript for Curious George. Mere hours after the Reys made their daring escape, the Nazis marched into Paris and the city fell under German control for the next four years. During this time over 70,000 Jews living in France were murdered, along with six million others across Europe.

After riding their makeshift bicycles for four days, the Reys crossed the border into Spain, hopped on a train to Portugal, set sail for Brazil and eventually reached the United States, all with their tale of that curious little monkey in tow.

Because of the bravery of H.A. and Margret the world was able to fall in love with an inquisitive primate with a propensity for causing trouble but with a good heart underneath. If the Reys had remained in Paris they faced the very real threat of deportation and death due to their Jewish faith. Even if they were able to avoid the gas chambers, it was all but certain their possessions would have been confiscated and George would have become another casualty of the Nazi regime. While we can certainly celebrate the escape of George from the clutches of the Nazis, the Rey’s story brings to the surface a dark realization. Not everyone escaped. How many authors were exterminated with unpublished manuscripts of their own? How do you quantify the potential of millions of lost souls and what they could have contributed to the world? What lasting legacy did the Nazi’s wipe out along with their victims?

Thankfully, the Reys and their monkey tale did manage to escape to reach our bookshelves. The couple published seven Curious George books during their lives, with additional authors and creators continuing the tale of George through books, television and movies. George and his loveable nature continue to bring joy to millions around the world due to the amazing story of two authors and their courage to flee persecution and find a place for themselves and their work in a free world.

The Rey’s story can be explored in greater detail in Louise Borden’s book The Journey That Saved Curious George.

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