On this Timeless Thursday, I would like to honor Margret and H.A. Rey, the beloved creators of Curious George. I saw that in Overland Park, Kansas at the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, they are having an exhibit called “Saving the Little Brown Monkey: The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H.A. Rey” from October 21 to December 1, 2009.
The exhibit is mostly watercolor paintings that tell the story of the Reys escape from the Nazi invasion in France. It is appropriate for children from 4th grade and up, and the center is encouraging teachers to bring their classes to open up discussions about prejudice and discrimination.
I never knew this about the Reys until a fellow writer sent me an e-mail about this exhibit, and I just find it amazing. Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat have been loved by children and their parents for years and years. To think that this couple went through such a terrible time before creating such lovely and wonderful stories is simply amazing to me. It puts a whole new spin on Curious George. It also puts a whole spin on teaching with Curious George in the classroom–it is even possible to use these books in upper elementary or middle school grades as an introduction to World War II and Jewish concentration camps.
But more than this, I think this story of the Reys and their creation of Curious George shows that when one door closes, another opens. We can teach our children that when a tragedy occurs and they survive, their life is not over. It’s just time to start anew.
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