Curious George: From Nazi Germany to Bucolic New Hampshire

by Andrea Calabretta

Few readers realize that had it not been for the indefatigable will of his creators, Curious George would have never existed. The Reys, both German Jews, escaped Paris at the eleventh hour - hours before the Nazis occupied the city. And they did so by pedaling away on bicycles that Hans had cobbled together out of spare parts. The couple rode for three straight days, and eventually made their way to the Spanish border, where they sold the bikes to pay for train fare to Lisbon. From there they crossed the Atlantic and ultimately arrived in New York City with six children...