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Curious George New Adventures
Curious George Visits the Library
George is lucky to arrive at the library just in time for story hour. But it's not easy for a little monkey to sit still too long. From selecting books to getting his very own library card, George's day at the library makes reading fun.
24 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2003
25 people are currently reading
982 people want to read
About the author
Margret Rey
234 books119 followersMargret Elizabeth Rey (May 16, 1906 – December 21, 1996), born Margarete Elisabeth Waldstein, was (with her husband H. A. Rey), the co-author and illustrator of children's books, best known for their Curious George
Although she was born in Germany, she fled to Brazil early in her life to escape Nazism. While there, she met her future husband Hans (who was a salesman and also from Germany). They married in 1935 and moved to Paris, France that same year.
While in Paris, Hans's animal drawings came to the attention of French publisher, who commissioned him to write a children's book. The result, Rafi and the Nine Monkeys, is little remembered today, but one of its characters, an adorably impish monkey named Curious George, was such a success that the couple considered writing a book just about him. Their work was interrupted with the outbreak of World War II. As Jews, the Reys decided to flee Paris before the Nazis seized the city. Hans built two bicycles, and they fled Paris just a few hours before it fell. Among the meager possessions they brought with them was the illustrated manuscript of Curious George.
The Reys' odyssey brought them to the Spanish border, where they bought train tickets to Lisbon. From there they returned to Brazil, where they had met five years earlier, but this time they continued to New York, New York. The books were published by Houghton Mifflin in 1941, though certain changes had to be introduced because of the technology of the time. Hans and Margret originally planned to use watercolors to illustrate the books, but since they were responsible for the color separation, he changed these to the cartoon-like images that continue to feature in each of the books. (A collector's edition with the original watercolors was recently released.)
Curious George was an instant success, and the Reys were commissioned to write more adventures of the mischievous monkey and his friend, the Man in the Yellow Hat. They wrote seven stories in all, with Hans mainly doing the illustrations and Margret working mostly on the stories, though they both admitted to sharing the work and cooperating fully in every stage of development. At first, however, Margret's name was left off the cover, ostensibly because there was a glut of women already writing children's fiction. In later editions, this was corrected, and Margret now receives full credit for her role in developing the stories.
Margret and her husband moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1963, in a house close to Harvard Square. Following her husband's death in 1977, Margret continued writing, and in 1979, became a Professor of Creative Writing at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. Starting in 1980, she also began to collaborate with Alan Shalleck on a series of short films featuring Curious George and more than two dozen additional books.
In 1989 Margret Rey established the Curious George Foundation to help creative children and prevent cruelty to animals. In 1996, she made major donations to the Boston Public Library and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. She was also a long-time supporter of the Longy School of Music. The Reys spent twenty summers in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, to enable H.A. Rey to better observe the stars for his astronomy writing. They became an integral part of the Waterville community and their legacy is honored by The Margret and H.A. Rey Center and the Curious George Cottage located there.
Dr. Lena Y. de Grummond, a professor in the field of library science (specializing in children's literature) at The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss. contacted the Reys in 1966 about the university's new children's literature collection. H.A. and Margret made a donation of a pair of sketches at the time. In 1996, after Margret's death, it was revealed in her will that the entire literary estate of the Reys were to be donated to the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection at Southern Miss.
Although she was born in Germany, she fled to Brazil early in her life to escape Nazism. While there, she met her future husband Hans (who was a salesman and also from Germany). They married in 1935 and moved to Paris, France that same year.
While in Paris, Hans's animal drawings came to the attention of French publisher, who commissioned him to write a children's book. The result, Rafi and the Nine Monkeys, is little remembered today, but one of its characters, an adorably impish monkey named Curious George, was such a success that the couple considered writing a book just about him. Their work was interrupted with the outbreak of World War II. As Jews, the Reys decided to flee Paris before the Nazis seized the city. Hans built two bicycles, and they fled Paris just a few hours before it fell. Among the meager possessions they brought with them was the illustrated manuscript of Curious George.
The Reys' odyssey brought them to the Spanish border, where they bought train tickets to Lisbon. From there they returned to Brazil, where they had met five years earlier, but this time they continued to New York, New York. The books were published by Houghton Mifflin in 1941, though certain changes had to be introduced because of the technology of the time. Hans and Margret originally planned to use watercolors to illustrate the books, but since they were responsible for the color separation, he changed these to the cartoon-like images that continue to feature in each of the books. (A collector's edition with the original watercolors was recently released.)
Curious George was an instant success, and the Reys were commissioned to write more adventures of the mischievous monkey and his friend, the Man in the Yellow Hat. They wrote seven stories in all, with Hans mainly doing the illustrations and Margret working mostly on the stories, though they both admitted to sharing the work and cooperating fully in every stage of development. At first, however, Margret's name was left off the cover, ostensibly because there was a glut of women already writing children's fiction. In later editions, this was corrected, and Margret now receives full credit for her role in developing the stories.
Margret and her husband moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1963, in a house close to Harvard Square. Following her husband's death in 1977, Margret continued writing, and in 1979, became a Professor of Creative Writing at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. Starting in 1980, she also began to collaborate with Alan Shalleck on a series of short films featuring Curious George and more than two dozen additional books.
In 1989 Margret Rey established the Curious George Foundation to help creative children and prevent cruelty to animals. In 1996, she made major donations to the Boston Public Library and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. She was also a long-time supporter of the Longy School of Music. The Reys spent twenty summers in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, to enable H.A. Rey to better observe the stars for his astronomy writing. They became an integral part of the Waterville community and their legacy is honored by The Margret and H.A. Rey Center and the Curious George Cottage located there.
Dr. Lena Y. de Grummond, a professor in the field of library science (specializing in children's literature) at The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss. contacted the Reys in 1966 about the university's new children's literature collection. H.A. and Margret made a donation of a pair of sketches at the time. In 1996, after Margret's death, it was revealed in her will that the entire literary estate of the Reys were to be donated to the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection at Southern Miss.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
December 16, 2024
This a Curious George story that readers can love as he learns the joys of visiting the public library, and gets into all sorts of mischief there. It's the perfect story to read to children who will hopefully grow up to become library lovers.
July 20, 2008
It reminds me of trips to the library with my little monkey...although my daughter wondered what those old fashioned due date "stamp" things were...
December 22, 2015
:). Two of my favorite things - monkeys (Curious George) and libraries.
November 9, 2022
A monkey visiting a library for the first time and goes crazy for books?!
Why is it so relatable to us sapiens here?!
Why is it so relatable to us sapiens here?!
July 8, 2013
"This is George. He is a good little monkey and always very curious." I love it when books that are in a children's series all start the same. I helps students with predictability. The rest of the story is pretty predictable also if you have read any other curious George books. I don't think any other animal goes on more adventures than curious George. This time, George goes to the library. He notices all of the people looking at book and reading. Then he finds children's story hour. At first, George is excited, but then he gets a little impatient because he wants the librarian to read the book about dinosaurs. Eventually, he can't wait anymore, and he takes the book and rushes out of story hour. Then another book catches his eye, then another then another, etc. Finally, George finds s cart to put all of his books on. Then he tries to leave the library with his cart of books. This is when the disaster happens. George feels bad and helps clean up. He then gets a library card and the man with the yellow hat comes back and they go home.
Again, this is a very predictable book, but children seem to always love the fact that they kind of know what is going to happen. They may not know what kind of disaster he will get into, but they do know that he will get into something. He also always helps clean up his mess. Curious George gives parents a good time to discuss what he should have done instead of going about things the way that he does.
The illustrations, done by Martha Weston, done in the style of H.A. Rey, are done in watercolor and charcoal pencil. They are very colorful yet simple. They follow the storyline very well, and even add to the story. I love the page where it shows George getting impatient. As a former teacher, I have seen students get this way.
I would recommend this book to Preschool through 3rd grade. I think it would be a great book to read to students before they go to the library to help teach them some of the behaviors that are expected in the library. I would also recommend this book to anyone who enjoys other Curious George books.
Again, this is a very predictable book, but children seem to always love the fact that they kind of know what is going to happen. They may not know what kind of disaster he will get into, but they do know that he will get into something. He also always helps clean up his mess. Curious George gives parents a good time to discuss what he should have done instead of going about things the way that he does.
The illustrations, done by Martha Weston, done in the style of H.A. Rey, are done in watercolor and charcoal pencil. They are very colorful yet simple. They follow the storyline very well, and even add to the story. I love the page where it shows George getting impatient. As a former teacher, I have seen students get this way.
I would recommend this book to Preschool through 3rd grade. I think it would be a great book to read to students before they go to the library to help teach them some of the behaviors that are expected in the library. I would also recommend this book to anyone who enjoys other Curious George books.
January 11, 2020
Read together September 11, 2019
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Book #1 in our “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” challenge
This is the first book Mama read to me outside the womb. This is also my first “Curious George” book and I can’t wait to read more about this silly monkey and his adventures. I read it when I was a week-and-a-half old. I nursed while Mama read about George and his friend going to the library to explore the children’s section.
That curious monkey accidentally caused a ruckus in the public library when he got excited by all the books!! It started during children’s story time, when George got distracted by some of the books around him. The librarian was busy reading to the children, and that gave George just enough time to get into trouble. You’ll have to read the book for yourself to find out if George was able to put the library back in order.
The illustrations were simple and colorful; we think they were drawn with colored pencil. Mama and I enjoyed them almost as much as the story. We recommend this book to anyone who wants to chuckle at the adventures of a silly monkey named George. We look forward to continuing the series!!
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Book #1 in our “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” challenge
This is the first book Mama read to me outside the womb. This is also my first “Curious George” book and I can’t wait to read more about this silly monkey and his adventures. I read it when I was a week-and-a-half old. I nursed while Mama read about George and his friend going to the library to explore the children’s section.
That curious monkey accidentally caused a ruckus in the public library when he got excited by all the books!! It started during children’s story time, when George got distracted by some of the books around him. The librarian was busy reading to the children, and that gave George just enough time to get into trouble. You’ll have to read the book for yourself to find out if George was able to put the library back in order.
The illustrations were simple and colorful; we think they were drawn with colored pencil. Mama and I enjoyed them almost as much as the story. We recommend this book to anyone who wants to chuckle at the adventures of a silly monkey named George. We look forward to continuing the series!!
April 9, 2016
"This is George. He is a good little monkey and is always very curious." So begins this fun story about Curious George's first trip to the library.
My students love Curious George and they were delighted this week when I brought in my husband's Curious George stuffed animal from when he was a boy. This would be a great story to review library expectations and book care with my younger students, or to talk about getting your very own public library card.
My students love Curious George and they were delighted this week when I brought in my husband's Curious George stuffed animal from when he was a boy. This would be a great story to review library expectations and book care with my younger students, or to talk about getting your very own public library card.
October 15, 2013
It was ok. I liked it better when he went to the intensive care unit. But it's okay, for a sequel.
November 28, 2011
Mom's Review: Obviously you know why I picked this one out for Jake when he was little. I read it to him at least once a week and he enjoyed it -- as well as the rest of the Curious George stories. It seemed to work as he really enjoyed going to the library -- so far hasn't worked for Jesse, he still doesn't like the library. It's a cute little story, but a wee bit dated. As well the patrons of the library and the library staff are a little too stereotypical for this modern library worker. One of the patrons even shushes George -- I know, it made me mad too LOL! The library workers are nice though, so the Rey's are forgiven. This story has the usual storyline of George getting into mischief, learning a lesson and cleaning up after his mistakes. It teaches kids a good moral lesson without being too preachy and George is so adorable to read about. Parents, teachers, Librarians and kids will all enjoy.
Mom's Rating: 9/10
Jake's Review: Mom says I loved it as a kid, but I think she must have been exaggerating. It is a funny story and I love how much trouble George gets into. He's not a bad monkey, he just is very curious and doesn't like to stay still (Mom's note: hmm reminds me of my boys). The pictures are kinda old fashioned and I think it is definitely written for younger kids, but I still did like it -- though not as much as mom. She is a nerdy librarian after all
Jake's Rating: 7/10
Mom's Rating: 9/10
Jake's Review: Mom says I loved it as a kid, but I think she must have been exaggerating. It is a funny story and I love how much trouble George gets into. He's not a bad monkey, he just is very curious and doesn't like to stay still (Mom's note: hmm reminds me of my boys). The pictures are kinda old fashioned and I think it is definitely written for younger kids, but I still did like it -- though not as much as mom. She is a nerdy librarian after all
Jake's Rating: 7/10
September 20, 2021
I liked this book, written recently in the style of the original Curious George books, but with the much-needed additions of more female and multi-ethnic characters. My favorite part was when little George was trying so hard to sit quietly during the story but just couldn't hold still. That reminded me of when my own sons were small and too wiggly to sit through storytime at our library. My second-favorite part was when the Man with the Big Yellow Hat is reading a dinosaur book to George on the last page. I'm glad to see George get some attention and love after being ripped away from his family in Africa and taken to the United States. One part I found implausible was at the end when the children helped to reshelve all the books on the cart. In my experience, not even high schoolers can figure this out unless they are library aides.
February 17, 2013
Curious George Visits the Library by Margaret and H.A. Rey is a picture book. The age group this book is intended for is nursery to primary. The book describes an impatient and curious monkey, who just wants to hear a book about dinosaurs, at story time. Once he’s waited long enough, he take the dinosaur book and browses the library for more books.
I liked this book, but I chose to borrow it from the library as an ebook. I don’t have a kindle or nook, so I downloaded a program to my PC. The writing was on the outside of the page because what was on the page was unreadable. I was not found of the ebook on my PC. The plot builds from George waiting patiently to him going to explore, and then, the cart crashes and all the children come to help clean up the books. The pictures fit the text well; they look like colored sketches with strong outlines and not much detail. I would recommend this for young readers because it encourages children to explore books and you don’t have to read them all at once, but the library has plenty to choose from and borrow.
December 3, 2013
Curious George Visits the Library is a picture book written by Margret Rey and illustrated in the style of H.A. Rey by Martha Weston. In this book, everyone's favourite mischievous monkey goes on an adventure to the library for story hour. But patience is hard for such an energetic creature, and in the wait for the librarian to get around to reading the book he wants, George decides to take the book so that his friend, the man in the yellow hat, can read it to him. Adventure ensues as George travels through the library finding more and more books, and making a bigger and bigger mess, along the way.
This book will appeal to fans of Curious George books, as it has the same charm and classic illustration style as the rest of the series. However, I wouldn't consider it one of the best of those books (that honor would have to go the original Curious George). Overall, it is still a cute story, and would be a great book to read aloud to young (about 4-7 year old) children.
This book will appeal to fans of Curious George books, as it has the same charm and classic illustration style as the rest of the series. However, I wouldn't consider it one of the best of those books (that honor would have to go the original Curious George). Overall, it is still a cute story, and would be a great book to read aloud to young (about 4-7 year old) children.
July 15, 2014
Topic: Picture storybooks
Theme: curiosity, library, books,
My thoughts: After checking this book out so many times and the library for my son who is a huge Curious George fan we finally bought our own copy. I highly recommend this book about a monkey who gets in trouble, but with the help of his friends they work together to clean up the mess.
Activity: Plan a trip to the local library where the students can get their very own “real” library card. A library card can help a child gain a better understanding of property and a sense of having something to call his or her very own. This small task may help these students to further their love for reading even more. Ideas for activity came from http://www.brighthubeducation.com/pre...
Theme: curiosity, library, books,
My thoughts: After checking this book out so many times and the library for my son who is a huge Curious George fan we finally bought our own copy. I highly recommend this book about a monkey who gets in trouble, but with the help of his friends they work together to clean up the mess.
Activity: Plan a trip to the local library where the students can get their very own “real” library card. A library card can help a child gain a better understanding of property and a sense of having something to call his or her very own. This small task may help these students to further their love for reading even more. Ideas for activity came from http://www.brighthubeducation.com/pre...
May 1, 2012
Along with the man with the yellow hat, Curious George visits the library. The library is very quiet except for the children's area where a librarian is reading a story about a bunny aloud to the children. Behind her is a stack of books she will also read. George really wants to hear the dinosaur story. George listens to many stories, but gets really anxious and starts looking for books. He likes too many books. In the end the children help him out of his predicament by choosing most of the books he has pulled off the shelves. George leaves the library, but not before getting a library card and a few books to read at home. Very adorable story and very cute illustrations. Love that George!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2012
In this Curious George adventure George visits the Library. George goes to story time and he sees a dinosaur book. George wants the storyteller to read the book about dinosaurs, but she doesn't. So George takes it. Just when the storyteller is about to read it she sees that the dinosaur book is gone. George starts looking at books he sees a book about trucks, elephants, boats, planes, cakes, and kites. He finds a cart full of books and thought it was a shelf, but i was a cart of books. The cart rolls off. George and the kids from storytime help put away the books and George gets his very own library card. George only checks out 3 books from the library.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2012
Curious George books were my favorite books when I was a little girl. I would go to the library and always check them out. This one is about George going to the library with his friend in the yellow hat. George is waiting patiently during story hour for the librarian to read a book about a dinosaur, but George can't wait any longer and takes the book. George finds himself in a mess in the library and needs help cleaning it up. He ends up taking home the dinosaur book and the man in the yellow hat reads it to him.
March 5, 2012
Since I work at the library, this was an obvious choice for a bedtime book. And judging by my experience, it is a pretty accurate portrayal of a library visit, except that no one asked for a parent's ID for George to get his card, George was left at storytime to be babysat (a big no-no), and there were no consequences for his little library destruction caper. All in all, though, this is a satisfying and entertaining book.
March 14, 2013
H.A. Rey's works are always legendary, and Curious George is infamous. What I found most interesting about this work, is how it captures history in a very unintentional way. The children loved the story, but they also loved finding out how we used to go about our book lending without fancy computers, scanners, and kindles. It's very interesting on that level. Curious George Visits the Library is a classic that should be preserved just like our Libraries.
November 27, 2013
This book is a great one for students to make a text-to-self- connection. It shares about George's adventure to the library for story time and to obtain a library card so he can check out some fun and interesting books. Although it is hard for him to sit still during the story time, the library adventure ends well and George realizes just how fun reading can be. Perfect book to read to students when introducing the library to them.
April 4, 2016
Despite the terrible overtones of the original Curious George books, George himself is a loveable character, and when you combine him with books and libraries, what's not to love? Admittedly we see no computers or other modern library features in this book, the idea of storytime and the appeal of picking out books-- plus the mostly-harmless trouble that George's curiousity gets him into-- shines through.
June 23, 2015
This story is a great way for teachers and parents to teach children about following rules for the library. This story will encourage children to be excited about visiting the library and reading books! This story makes children aware of following the library rules and having their own library card. A learning extension for this story could be how should children treat their library books. I love all the Curious George books and this book is one of my favorites!!
October 19, 2015
In Curious George Visits the Library he shows he love of reading by wanting to take a cart full of books home but in the end George and the man with yellow hat take a few books home. Then it shows Curious George reading with the man with the yellow hat. This is an excellent way to show young children that books are fun and reading is enjoyable to establish a love for reading at a young age.
November 1, 2018
Another fun tale!
Ages: 4 - 8
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Ages: 4 - 8
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
Visit my website!
October 2, 2012
The kindergartners and first graders enjoyed this story, even if I didn't appreciate that George faces no consequences. The Man and the librarian never explain to him how he should have acted differently. One class pointed out how he shouldn't have taken the book or ridden the cart down the ramp, but the other classes didn't, and I think those things should have been discussed in the book.
June 15, 2016
If I was a curious little monkey at the library I probably would have done exactly what George did. However, I think if I was a monkey in the library Animal Control would probably get called on me. Anyway, my daughter enjoyed this book and was excited that George liked the same kind of books that she did. Would recommend.
July 24, 2009
My favorite little monkey takes a trip to the library and participates in story hour. As we all know it is hard for little monkeys to stay out of trouble. A great book about reading and the library.
May 8, 2013
On the back cover, there's a maze (Help George find his way to the librarian or something like that). I showed this to my 3-year-old daughter, and it started a one-week whirlwind love affair with mazes.
February 19, 2014
I read this title as part of a Rey compilation and enjoyed re-reading it as a highlighted title from DPL to introduce libraries to children. George is such a role model to have is own library card! If only our branch allowed cart rides - ha!
December 3, 2016
The man with the yellow hat takes the little monkey to the library and they learn all about the interesting books that live there. Find out what kind of trouble George will get into and how he can get out of it.
May 2, 2017
Just cute, what can you say? And George in a library, collecting books. The Man with the Yellow Hat does a poor job of watching him though. :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews