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5 minutter i godnat
Curious George's 5-Minute Stories
There's always time for storytime with this treasury of thirteen Curious George adventures--each story can be read aloud in under five minutes!
Curious George is fascinated by the world around him and loves having new experiences. March in a parade, take a ride in a rocket ship, and throw a surprise party with George—plus so much more. A padded cover and foil accents make this book perfect for gifting. And since each story offers a quick moment for reading and connection, this book is just right for bedtime, storytime, any time kids are feeling curious.
Curious George is fascinated by the world around him and loves having new experiences. March in a parade, take a ride in a rocket ship, and throw a surprise party with George—plus so much more. A padded cover and foil accents make this book perfect for gifting. And since each story offers a quick moment for reading and connection, this book is just right for bedtime, storytime, any time kids are feeling curious.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published July 9, 2013
6 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
H.A. Rey
583 books213 followersHans Augusto Rey was born on September 16, 1898, in Hamburg, Germany. He grew up there near the world-famous Hagenbeck Zoo, and developed a lifelong love for animals and drawing. Margarete Elisabeth Waldstein (who would be known to most of the world as Margret Rey) was also born in Hamburg on May 16, 1906. The two met briefly when Margret was a young girl, before she left Hamburg to study art. They were reunited in 1935 in Rio de Janeiro, where Hans was selling bathtubs as part of a family business and Margret was escaping the political climate in Germany. Margret convinced Hans to leave the family business, and soon they were working together on a variety of projects.
Hans and Margret were married in Brazil on August 16, 1935, and they moved to Paris after falling in love with the city during their European honeymoon. It was there that Hans published his first children’s book, after a French publisher saw his newspaper cartoons of a giraffe and asked him to expand upon them. Raffy and the Nine Monkeys (Cecily G. and the Nine Monkeys in the British and American editions) was the result, and it marked the debut of a mischievous monkey named Curious George.
After Raffy and the Nine Monkeys was published, the Reys decided that Curious George deserved a book of his own, so they began work on a manuscript that featured the lovable and exceedingly curious little monkey. But the late 1930s and early ’40s were a tumultuous time in Europe, and before the new manuscript could be published, the Reys—both German Jews—found themselves in a horrible situation. Hitler and his Nazi party were tearing through Europe, and they were poised to take control of Paris.
Knowing that they must escape before the Nazis took power, Hans cobbled together two bicycles out of spare parts. Early in the morning of June 14, 1940, the Reys set off on their bicycles. They brought very little with them on their predawn flight — only warm coats, a bit of food, and five manuscripts, one of which was Curious George. The Nazis entered Paris just hours later, but the Reys were already on their way out. They rode their makeshift bicycles for four long days until reaching the French-Spanish border, where they sold them for train fare to Lisbon. From there they made their way to Brazil and on to New York City, beginning a whole new life as children’s book authors.
Curious George was published by Houghton Mifflin in 1941, and for sixty years these books have been capturing the hearts and minds of readers throughout the world. All the Curious George books, including the seven original stories by Margret and Hans, have sold more than twenty-five million copies. So popular that his original story has never been out of print, George has become one of the most beloved and recognizable characters in children’s literature. His adventures have been translated into many languages, including Japanese, French, Afrikaans, Portuguese, Swedish, German, Chinese, Danish, and Norwegian.
Although both of the Reys have passed away — Hans in 1977 and Margret in 1996—George lives on in the Curious George Foundation. Established in 1989, this foundation funds programs for children that share Curious George’s irresistible qualities—ingenuity, opportunity, determination, and curiosity in learning and exploring. Much consideration is given to programs that benefit animals, through preservation as well as the prevention of cruelty to animals. The foundation supports community outreach programs that emphasize the importance of family, from counseling to peer support groups.
Hans and Margret were married in Brazil on August 16, 1935, and they moved to Paris after falling in love with the city during their European honeymoon. It was there that Hans published his first children’s book, after a French publisher saw his newspaper cartoons of a giraffe and asked him to expand upon them. Raffy and the Nine Monkeys (Cecily G. and the Nine Monkeys in the British and American editions) was the result, and it marked the debut of a mischievous monkey named Curious George.
After Raffy and the Nine Monkeys was published, the Reys decided that Curious George deserved a book of his own, so they began work on a manuscript that featured the lovable and exceedingly curious little monkey. But the late 1930s and early ’40s were a tumultuous time in Europe, and before the new manuscript could be published, the Reys—both German Jews—found themselves in a horrible situation. Hitler and his Nazi party were tearing through Europe, and they were poised to take control of Paris.
Knowing that they must escape before the Nazis took power, Hans cobbled together two bicycles out of spare parts. Early in the morning of June 14, 1940, the Reys set off on their bicycles. They brought very little with them on their predawn flight — only warm coats, a bit of food, and five manuscripts, one of which was Curious George. The Nazis entered Paris just hours later, but the Reys were already on their way out. They rode their makeshift bicycles for four long days until reaching the French-Spanish border, where they sold them for train fare to Lisbon. From there they made their way to Brazil and on to New York City, beginning a whole new life as children’s book authors.
Curious George was published by Houghton Mifflin in 1941, and for sixty years these books have been capturing the hearts and minds of readers throughout the world. All the Curious George books, including the seven original stories by Margret and Hans, have sold more than twenty-five million copies. So popular that his original story has never been out of print, George has become one of the most beloved and recognizable characters in children’s literature. His adventures have been translated into many languages, including Japanese, French, Afrikaans, Portuguese, Swedish, German, Chinese, Danish, and Norwegian.
Although both of the Reys have passed away — Hans in 1977 and Margret in 1996—George lives on in the Curious George Foundation. Established in 1989, this foundation funds programs for children that share Curious George’s irresistible qualities—ingenuity, opportunity, determination, and curiosity in learning and exploring. Much consideration is given to programs that benefit animals, through preservation as well as the prevention of cruelty to animals. The foundation supports community outreach programs that emphasize the importance of family, from counseling to peer support groups.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 22, 2021
Curious George's escapades continue to capture my curious 4-year-old's attention as, in traditional Rey fashion, the curious monkey George finds a way to use his curiosity to both get into trouble and help others. This book—inspired by the original Curious George stories created by the husband-wife duo Margret and H.A. Rey—is designed to be read before bed, providing a five-minute story to set the little one on an imaginative dream journey. My daughter, though, couldn't wait until bed and we also couldn't stop at just one story, often reading 2 to 4 stories in one sitting. The book continues to fascinate if only being second-rate to the Reys' originals. A worthy read for George fans but should be read after the original stories.
March 27, 2019
These are perfect little story books, they have a bunch of little 5 minute (ish) stories in them so they are the perfect length to keep children interested. The are thick and sturdily bound and make a beautiful additon to any bookshelf. And this is a classic group of stories, George is a silly monkey that always gets into mischief because he is so curious. This is a great little book to add to your story time collection.
June 9, 2017
These stories are the perfect amount of time to read to our little one. Sometimes he wants two, that's great. He has always enjoyed Curious George, and he loves seeing George on adventures in this book. I love watching him analyze the story, get involved and tell us what is happening in the book. It's like magic.
December 2, 2020
Read this entire book to my daughter and she kept asking for more. It's a great collection of Curious George stories.
February 15, 2021
Sweet Stories about curious monkey!
June 13, 2021
My son loved these. We read one every night until we finished and will be rereading several.
August 20, 2021
Stories we hadn't 'seen' in the tv series and stories that aren't stand alone books. Perfect for bedtime!
November 14, 2014
Thirteen Curious George adventures have been adapted as 5-minute stories that would be ideal for read-aloud story time. Familiar stories, some from Rey’s originals, are here as well as newer escapades of the little monkey. They all culminate with “Curious George learns to count from 1 to 50”, a shortened version by 50 of the original. An appendix lists the authors and illustrators for all the included titles. This collection of stories in one volume is wonderful for parents, teachers and librarians as a handy go-to reading/bedtime activity. The illustrations are pleasing and familiar. In the last story, youngsters can count objects along with George. Order if needed.
December 31, 2021
Super fun reading with kids. My 2 & 4 year old boys were very attentive the whole way through. I really enjoyed it as well. Though as a mom, the only thing slightly negative thing I can say about it, is that I wished George didn’t get rewarded for disobeying quite so often, ha! But I really like the curiosity aspect and my boys related VERY well. 🤪
March 5, 2015
My son is not two yet and he's taking a liking to Curious George. These stories were the perfect length for him. This book was started as a part of a new bedtime routine which he adapted well too. This book was a fun read.
August 31, 2013
The beginning of the stories gets repetitive, but there are some cute stories in this book. The adventures George goes on and the things he learns are things kids are interested in.
February 4, 2014
Liam loves these stories, and most of them have great lessons for small children.
May 1, 2016
My 2 year old LOVES George. These stories are the perfect length for her right now. I think we will be reading this collection a lot!!
May 4, 2022
I have reread this collection of stories to each of my children. A favorite indeed.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews