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Curious George Tadpole Trouble
Curious George's friend Bill has put him in charge of several tadpoles. George sends the tadpoles for a nice swim in the lagoon, but to his dismay, the tadpoles don't return! Each time he goes back to the lake he tries to find the tadpoles, but he finds only tadpole-like creatures without tails . . . and with legs. A trip to the museum teaches George about the development of tadpoles into frogs, and he and Bill are happy to make the acquaintance of their new froggy friends!
24 pages, Library Binding
First published April 23, 2007
4 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
H.A. Rey
585 books212 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 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 21, 2023
The case of the missing tadpoles. Ooh, such a mystery!
And Curious George is in charge of those tadpoles, only now he has lost them.
How lovely that the curious monkey finds his way to a natural history museum, where the one exhibit happens to show perfect examples of how tadpoles turn into frogs.
Hey, I'll give this book FIVE STARS. Partly because I appreciate Curious George as a character and partly because I'm a big fan of picture books that can interest children in STEM topics.
Personally, though, I sure can tell the difference between the original books, by H.A. Rey and Margaret Rey... versus the corporate kind of mishmash between these yellow hardcover covers.
To this Goodreads reviewer, one tipoff is the excessively cutesy illustrations. Another is an absence, since one finds none of the funny, circuitous details that lend extra charm to the original books.
And Curious George is in charge of those tadpoles, only now he has lost them.
How lovely that the curious monkey finds his way to a natural history museum, where the one exhibit happens to show perfect examples of how tadpoles turn into frogs.
Hey, I'll give this book FIVE STARS. Partly because I appreciate Curious George as a character and partly because I'm a big fan of picture books that can interest children in STEM topics.
Personally, though, I sure can tell the difference between the original books, by H.A. Rey and Margaret Rey... versus the corporate kind of mishmash between these yellow hardcover covers.
To this Goodreads reviewer, one tipoff is the excessively cutesy illustrations. Another is an absence, since one finds none of the funny, circuitous details that lend extra charm to the original books.
October 12, 2018
This book was about George and how he released tadpoles into the water because he thought it would be a good exercise for them. He was worried when they did not come back to him and then later showed up as frogs. Find out how the people around him reacted to the news and what George learned by reading the book.
I liked this book a lot. I think that the way this book played out was exactly how a child's mind would play out. I liked how he was left in charge and found a solution.
I would use this in my classroom to teach about how frogs grow, and that it is okay to let animals roam in their habitat.
I liked this book a lot. I think that the way this book played out was exactly how a child's mind would play out. I liked how he was left in charge and found a solution.
I would use this in my classroom to teach about how frogs grow, and that it is okay to let animals roam in their habitat.
October 10, 2022
Grade Level: Pre-k to 1st | Genre: Modern fantasy
I think this is a good book for introducing kids to animals & insects that change as they grow. Although it's simple and doesn't get very specific about the hows and whys, it's a good book to start with. The story is also cute and easy to understand.
I think this is a good book for introducing kids to animals & insects that change as they grow. Although it's simple and doesn't get very specific about the hows and whys, it's a good book to start with. The story is also cute and easy to understand.
July 14, 2018
Explains how tadpoles become frogs (and caterpillars to butterflies) within George being mischievous tale. Could've explained the science more clearly, I think.
Read
September 15, 2025Preschool
April 20, 2015
Synopsis: "Curious George’s friend Bill has put him in charge of several tadpoles. George sends the tadpoles for a nice swim in the lagoon, but to his dismay, the tadpoles don’t return! Each time he goes back to the lake he tries to find the tadpoles, but he finds only tadpole-like creatures without tails . . . and with legs. A trip to the museum teaches George about the development of tadpoles into frogs, and he and Bill are happy to make the acquaintance of their new froggy friends!"
My Review: I am really not too sure about these Curious George books that are taken from the tv show episodes. We have already seen it on TV and can watch it again from the videos. The book is taken almost exactly from the shows, including the artwork. If you regularly watch the show I wouldn't bother with the books, but if you don't watch the show it might be a different story for you.
My Review: I am really not too sure about these Curious George books that are taken from the tv show episodes. We have already seen it on TV and can watch it again from the videos. The book is taken almost exactly from the shows, including the artwork. If you regularly watch the show I wouldn't bother with the books, but if you don't watch the show it might be a different story for you.
January 22, 2014
You can hardly ever go wrong with everyone's loveable monkey! In this adventure he learns how a tadpole grows and changes into a frog. These 'newer' books of Curious George are more Science oriented which is nice for the little older children, for the younger listeners it's a bit to much for them although they will still sit and listen. Just they may not completely understand. But the Science lessons are nice.
Curious George books are simple life lessons (usually) for young children. If ever you don't know what book to pick up to read to your child you can't go wrong with a Curious George book. And generally there is a book to cover just about any situation your child is going through.
I read these books as a young child, and read them to my children and now am sharing them with my granddaughter as well.... stories to share with generations!
Curious George books are simple life lessons (usually) for young children. If ever you don't know what book to pick up to read to your child you can't go wrong with a Curious George book. And generally there is a book to cover just about any situation your child is going through.
I read these books as a young child, and read them to my children and now am sharing them with my granddaughter as well.... stories to share with generations!
February 8, 2015
Curious George sets off on an adventure with his friend Bill and is given some tadpoles to watch. George decides to put them in the lake and they disappear. Can he find the tadpoles or does he find something else before Bill returns? Read on to find out. Zoe and I enjoyed reading this book together today.
December 22, 2008
What a great way to teach about the cycle of life. It doesn’t hurt that is has my favorite animal in it frogs.
May 17, 2010
Cute Curious George story on the life/development cycle of frogs.
December 16, 2011
We love George!
July 15, 2012
It is entertaining yet educational.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews