Margret Rey

Margret Rey was a German-born American writer and illustrator who, alongside her husband H.A. Rey, created the beloved Curious George series of children's books. The couple collaborated on these works from 1939 to 1966, establishing one of the most recognizable characters in children's literature. Born as Margarete Elisabeth Waldstein in Hamburg in 1906, Rey studied art at prestigious institutions including Bauhaus and the University of Munich. In 1935, she left Nazi Germany for Brazil, where she reconnected with and married Hans Reyersbach (H.A. Rey), before the couple relocated to Paris in 1936. The Reys' journey to creating Curious George began in Paris when Hans's animal drawings caught a publisher's attention, leading to their first book, Cecily G. and the Nine Monkeys. The character of Curious George first appeared in this work, though the Reys' plans to develop his story were initially interrupted by World War II, forcing them to flee Paris by bicycle just hours before the Nazi occupation. In their new home in the United States, Margret Rey continued her creative work with her husband, contributing significantly to the writing and development of the Curious George series while H.A. Rey focused on the illustrations. She maintained an active role in protecting and managing the Curious George franchise until her death in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1996.

Parents and educators praise the accessible language and engaging storytelling in Rey's Curious George books. Readers highlight how the stories teach consequences while maintaining a playful tone. Many note the books help children learn problem-solving and spark discussions about right and wrong. What readers liked: - Simple, clear writing style - Educational value without being preachy - Memorable characters and situations - Stories that hold up to repeated readings What readers disliked: - Some modern parents question George's unsupervised activities - A few readers note dated cultural elements - Occasional criticism of repetitive plot structures Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.2/5 average across Curious George series (200,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 average (50,000+ reviews) "These books taught my kids about actions and consequences in a way they could understand," writes one Amazon reviewer. Another notes: "The stories remain relevant despite their age - my children request them night after night."

Curious George A curious little monkey living in Africa is brought to the city by the Man in the Yellow Hat, where his inquisitive nature leads to various adventures and mishaps.

Pretzel The story follows the life of Pretzel, the world's longest dachshund, as he pursues the affections of a female dachshund named Greta.

Cecily G. and the Nine Monkeys A giraffe named Cecily meets nine monkeys who need a new home, introducing the character who would later become Curious George.

Curious George Takes a Job George explores various occupations in the city, leading to a series of misadventures at different workplaces.

Curious George Rides a Bike George receives a new bicycle and encounters various situations while delivering newspapers and visiting a circus.

Curious George Gets a Medal George undertakes a series of tasks to earn a space program medal, culminating in a rocket ship adventure.

Curious George Flies a Kite George experiments with fishing and kite flying, leading to an unexpected airborne adventure.

Curious George Learns the Alphabet George discovers letters and helps readers learn the alphabet through his characteristic misadventures.

Dr. Seuss Created imaginative worlds with distinct visual styles and rhythmic storytelling patterns that engage young readers. His work combines educational elements with entertainment, similar to Rey's approach with Curious George.

Beatrix Potter Developed animal characters with distinct personalities and created stories that blend adventure with gentle learning experiences. Her work features detailed illustrations integrated with narrative, matching Rey's style of visual storytelling.

E.B. White Wrote stories featuring animal protagonists who navigate human worlds while maintaining their animal nature. His work combines humor with learning opportunities in ways that mirror Rey's treatment of George.

Robert McCloskey Created picture books that feature clear narratives and strong integration between text and illustrations. His work focuses on relatable adventures and discoveries that parallel Rey's storytelling approach.

Maurice Sendak Developed stories that balance childhood adventure with gentle learning experiences. His work features protagonists who explore their world through a series of contained adventures, similar to George's experiences.