Margaret and H.A. Rey Author Study
Tracey Bunce and Christie Leszczynski
CURR 438
Author Study – Margret and H.A. Rey
Due: 11/27/2012
Margret and H.A. Rey are well known authors of the popular children’s series starring Curious George. What is not so well known about them is why these books and others they have written contain the themes that they do. Margret and H.A. Rey had a very rich and tumultuous life before publishing their first children’s book. Their Jewish heritage during an age of war against Jews and the subsequent escape by bike to safety inspired a lot of George’s narrow escapes from trouble after being too curious. They are husband and wife and also a fully self-dependent author illustrator team. The illustrations across all of their books reflect a particular style, not only in Curious George, as well as multiple common themes. Of their large collection, the most notable stories are that of Cecily G. and the 9 Monkeys, the original seven Curious George stories, and The Stars. The original Curious George books for which these authors are most popular include: Curious George (1941), Curious George Takes a Job (1947), Curious George Rides a Bike (1952), Curious George Gets a Medal (1957), Curious George Flies a Kite (1958), Curious George Learns the Alphabet (1963), and Curious George Goes to the Hospital (1966). This is not the first time Curious George existed in the couples writing, however. The curious monkey made his debut in the first children’s story book they ever published in 1939 called “Cecily G. and the 9 Monkeys.” This book was both written and illustrated by H.A. Rey after he was asked by an editor to create a story about one of his cartoon giraffes drawn for the paper. Publishers and readers alike really enjoyed the character of Fifi, who would soon be named Curious George and continue on with his own series. The story “Cecily G. and the 9 Monkeys” is about a giraffe named Cecily G. (G for giraffe, although when initially published in France this was not her name- it
CURR 438
Author Study – Margret and H.A. Rey
Due: 11/27/2012
Margret and H.A. Rey are well known authors of the popular children’s series starring Curious George. What is not so well known about them is why these books and others they have written contain the themes that they do. Margret and H.A. Rey had a very rich and tumultuous life before publishing their first children’s book. Their Jewish heritage during an age of war against Jews and the subsequent escape by bike to safety inspired a lot of George’s narrow escapes from trouble after being too curious. They are husband and wife and also a fully self-dependent author illustrator team. The illustrations across all of their books reflect a particular style, not only in Curious George, as well as multiple common themes. Of their large collection, the most notable stories are that of Cecily G. and the 9 Monkeys, the original seven Curious George stories, and The Stars. The original Curious George books for which these authors are most popular include: Curious George (1941), Curious George Takes a Job (1947), Curious George Rides a Bike (1952), Curious George Gets a Medal (1957), Curious George Flies a Kite (1958), Curious George Learns the Alphabet (1963), and Curious George Goes to the Hospital (1966). This is not the first time Curious George existed in the couples writing, however. The curious monkey made his debut in the first children’s story book they ever published in 1939 called “Cecily G. and the 9 Monkeys.” This book was both written and illustrated by H.A. Rey after he was asked by an editor to create a story about one of his cartoon giraffes drawn for the paper. Publishers and readers alike really enjoyed the character of Fifi, who would soon be named Curious George and continue on with his own series. The story “Cecily G. and the 9 Monkeys” is about a giraffe named Cecily G. (G for giraffe, although when initially published in France this was not her name- it