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Curious George New Adventures
Curious George Visits a Toy Shop
Curious George is a good little monkey. But he's very curious ...
A new toy shop is opening and George can't wait; but when he finally gets inside, the owner thinks George's antics will be bad for business.
Will George's monkey tricks really drive customers away or will he find a way to save the day?
A new toy shop is opening and George can't wait; but when he finally gets inside, the owner thinks George's antics will be bad for business.
Will George's monkey tricks really drive customers away or will he find a way to save the day?
24 pages, Paperback
First published July 31, 2002
11 people are currently reading
291 people want to read
About the author
Margret Rey
242 books122 followersMargret Elizabeth Rey (May 16, 1906 – December 21, 1996), born Margarete Elisabeth Waldstein, was (with her husband H. A. Rey), the co-author and illustrator of children's books, best known for their Curious George
Although she was born in Germany, she fled to Brazil early in her life to escape Nazism. While there, she met her future husband Hans (who was a salesman and also from Germany). They married in 1935 and moved to Paris, France that same year.
While in Paris, Hans's animal drawings came to the attention of French publisher, who commissioned him to write a children's book. The result, Rafi and the Nine Monkeys, is little remembered today, but one of its characters, an adorably impish monkey named Curious George, was such a success that the couple considered writing a book just about him. Their work was interrupted with the outbreak of World War II. As Jews, the Reys decided to flee Paris before the Nazis seized the city. Hans built two bicycles, and they fled Paris just a few hours before it fell. Among the meager possessions they brought with them was the illustrated manuscript of Curious George.
The Reys' odyssey brought them to the Spanish border, where they bought train tickets to Lisbon. From there they returned to Brazil, where they had met five years earlier, but this time they continued to New York, New York. The books were published by Houghton Mifflin in 1941, though certain changes had to be introduced because of the technology of the time. Hans and Margret originally planned to use watercolors to illustrate the books, but since they were responsible for the color separation, he changed these to the cartoon-like images that continue to feature in each of the books. (A collector's edition with the original watercolors was recently released.)
Curious George was an instant success, and the Reys were commissioned to write more adventures of the mischievous monkey and his friend, the Man in the Yellow Hat. They wrote seven stories in all, with Hans mainly doing the illustrations and Margret working mostly on the stories, though they both admitted to sharing the work and cooperating fully in every stage of development. At first, however, Margret's name was left off the cover, ostensibly because there was a glut of women already writing children's fiction. In later editions, this was corrected, and Margret now receives full credit for her role in developing the stories.
Margret and her husband moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1963, in a house close to Harvard Square. Following her husband's death in 1977, Margret continued writing, and in 1979, became a Professor of Creative Writing at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. Starting in 1980, she also began to collaborate with Alan Shalleck on a series of short films featuring Curious George and more than two dozen additional books.
In 1989 Margret Rey established the Curious George Foundation to help creative children and prevent cruelty to animals. In 1996, she made major donations to the Boston Public Library and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. She was also a long-time supporter of the Longy School of Music. The Reys spent twenty summers in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, to enable H.A. Rey to better observe the stars for his astronomy writing. They became an integral part of the Waterville community and their legacy is honored by The Margret and H.A. Rey Center and the Curious George Cottage located there.
Dr. Lena Y. de Grummond, a professor in the field of library science (specializing in children's literature) at The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss. contacted the Reys in 1966 about the university's new children's literature collection. H.A. and Margret made a donation of a pair of sketches at the time. In 1996, after Margret's death, it was revealed in her will that the entire literary estate of the Reys were to be donated to the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection at Southern Miss.
Although she was born in Germany, she fled to Brazil early in her life to escape Nazism. While there, she met her future husband Hans (who was a salesman and also from Germany). They married in 1935 and moved to Paris, France that same year.
While in Paris, Hans's animal drawings came to the attention of French publisher, who commissioned him to write a children's book. The result, Rafi and the Nine Monkeys, is little remembered today, but one of its characters, an adorably impish monkey named Curious George, was such a success that the couple considered writing a book just about him. Their work was interrupted with the outbreak of World War II. As Jews, the Reys decided to flee Paris before the Nazis seized the city. Hans built two bicycles, and they fled Paris just a few hours before it fell. Among the meager possessions they brought with them was the illustrated manuscript of Curious George.
The Reys' odyssey brought them to the Spanish border, where they bought train tickets to Lisbon. From there they returned to Brazil, where they had met five years earlier, but this time they continued to New York, New York. The books were published by Houghton Mifflin in 1941, though certain changes had to be introduced because of the technology of the time. Hans and Margret originally planned to use watercolors to illustrate the books, but since they were responsible for the color separation, he changed these to the cartoon-like images that continue to feature in each of the books. (A collector's edition with the original watercolors was recently released.)
Curious George was an instant success, and the Reys were commissioned to write more adventures of the mischievous monkey and his friend, the Man in the Yellow Hat. They wrote seven stories in all, with Hans mainly doing the illustrations and Margret working mostly on the stories, though they both admitted to sharing the work and cooperating fully in every stage of development. At first, however, Margret's name was left off the cover, ostensibly because there was a glut of women already writing children's fiction. In later editions, this was corrected, and Margret now receives full credit for her role in developing the stories.
Margret and her husband moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1963, in a house close to Harvard Square. Following her husband's death in 1977, Margret continued writing, and in 1979, became a Professor of Creative Writing at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. Starting in 1980, she also began to collaborate with Alan Shalleck on a series of short films featuring Curious George and more than two dozen additional books.
In 1989 Margret Rey established the Curious George Foundation to help creative children and prevent cruelty to animals. In 1996, she made major donations to the Boston Public Library and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. She was also a long-time supporter of the Longy School of Music. The Reys spent twenty summers in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, to enable H.A. Rey to better observe the stars for his astronomy writing. They became an integral part of the Waterville community and their legacy is honored by The Margret and H.A. Rey Center and the Curious George Cottage located there.
Dr. Lena Y. de Grummond, a professor in the field of library science (specializing in children's literature) at The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss. contacted the Reys in 1966 about the university's new children's literature collection. H.A. and Margret made a donation of a pair of sketches at the time. In 1996, after Margret's death, it was revealed in her will that the entire literary estate of the Reys were to be donated to the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection at Southern Miss.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
March 4, 2023
Neglect!
Another delightful Curious George book, with George creating a ruckus somewhere.
His friend, The Man With the Yellow Hat, always conveniently tucked away while George creates his mayhem.
Then he magically appears once it looks like he will not be financially responsible for George’s destruction.
But don’t mention any of this to the children. They don’t care about it. And they don’t understand, anyway.
Five stars minus one for destruction, which equals four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another delightful Curious George book, with George creating a ruckus somewhere.
His friend, The Man With the Yellow Hat, always conveniently tucked away while George creates his mayhem.
Then he magically appears once it looks like he will not be financially responsible for George’s destruction.
But don’t mention any of this to the children. They don’t care about it. And they don’t understand, anyway.
Five stars minus one for destruction, which equals four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 29, 2019
Curious George is at it again as he visits a new toy store with his owner, the man in the yellow hat.
When they arrived before opening time the pair joined a long queue and George sneaked through the crowds as he wanted a peek inside the store. As he arrived at the front of the queue the owner opened the doors and when she spotted George she told him that it was no place for a monkey. But she was too late, George had nipped inside.
He was so excited at all the games on view and he tried a variety of them without knowing how they worked! Then he discovered a large pile of hula-hoops. He tried to pull one out of the pile but in so doing he upset them all and suddenly people all around were trying them out with George spreadeagled in one pretending to be a wheel!
The owner tried to stop George but she was not quick enough and the little monkey ran amok in the rest of the store, passing toys to children and playing with them himself. When the owner finally caught up with George she told him annoyingly, 'That's enough monkey business for one day.'
But all the parents were congratulating her on a splendid idea in having a monkey helping out and sales of the toys went through the roof so the delighted owner thought that perhaps it wasn't such a bad thing after all … and she even wrapped a gift up for George and gave it him as a thank you present for making her grand opening such a success.
George wins the day once more!
When they arrived before opening time the pair joined a long queue and George sneaked through the crowds as he wanted a peek inside the store. As he arrived at the front of the queue the owner opened the doors and when she spotted George she told him that it was no place for a monkey. But she was too late, George had nipped inside.
He was so excited at all the games on view and he tried a variety of them without knowing how they worked! Then he discovered a large pile of hula-hoops. He tried to pull one out of the pile but in so doing he upset them all and suddenly people all around were trying them out with George spreadeagled in one pretending to be a wheel!
The owner tried to stop George but she was not quick enough and the little monkey ran amok in the rest of the store, passing toys to children and playing with them himself. When the owner finally caught up with George she told him annoyingly, 'That's enough monkey business for one day.'
But all the parents were congratulating her on a splendid idea in having a monkey helping out and sales of the toys went through the roof so the delighted owner thought that perhaps it wasn't such a bad thing after all … and she even wrapped a gift up for George and gave it him as a thank you present for making her grand opening such a success.
George wins the day once more!
June 12, 2017
Typical George fare, but a good addition to my unit on toys. George does a lot of good in this story, really making the toy stare a lot more fun for kids and grown-ups alike. I mean, what kid wouldn't want to have a monkey handing them toys that are too high to reach!
January 18, 2016
Personal Response
I like the book in was a fun and interesting. The book has a lot of interactions and toys in the book. George met a lot of people In the book. George got into a lot of trouble in the book.
Me nephew also like the book a lot. He like all the toys in the book. He also likes George the monkey. He really likes monkeys. My nephew liked that George got into a lot of trouble in the book.
Setting
The book started in a new toy store and George was very excited. He was the first person in the doors.
Recommended Audience
I think this book is for a 3 year old kid. The book has a lot of kid things for very young kids.
Stars
I give this book four stars because it is a good book, but not the best children’s book I have read.
I like the book in was a fun and interesting. The book has a lot of interactions and toys in the book. George met a lot of people In the book. George got into a lot of trouble in the book.
Me nephew also like the book a lot. He like all the toys in the book. He also likes George the monkey. He really likes monkeys. My nephew liked that George got into a lot of trouble in the book.
Setting
The book started in a new toy store and George was very excited. He was the first person in the doors.
Recommended Audience
I think this book is for a 3 year old kid. The book has a lot of kid things for very young kids.
Stars
I give this book four stars because it is a good book, but not the best children’s book I have read.
August 31, 2015
While George's carnivalesque appropriation of the toy store's grand opening seems to promise a socialist revolution, in the end, his labor, concealed as play, is reappropiated by the neo-liberal, late-capitalist machine. "Monkey business is good business" indeed.
February 5, 2015
the monkey never gets in trouble does he? I kind of want to see one in which he does...plus what is the man in the yellow hat's name?
February 15, 2022
Very funny and lovely.
September 7, 2019
This is a very cute story. Curious George always gets into trouble. In this book he goes to a new toy store. He can not wait in the long line so he sneaks in. He makes a mess of a few things as he is trying to figure out the toys work. The owner tries to catch him to throw him out but is unsuccessful. George then starts handing out the toys that the children can not reach. The owner finally reaches him and his about to throw him out. However a parent makes a comment about how having a monkey to work there is such a great idea, this comment makes the owner change her mind and gives the monkey his own apron to wear.
April 29, 2020
This book is apart of the series of Curious George, which is a series about a monkey named George who spends most of his time exploring different things with his owner. This book in particular is about George going into a toy story to see all the toys. George played with all of the toys he could get his hands on. I gave this book 5 stars because I think it is interesting that they use a monkey as a main character. I really like that in the book they mainly use primary color, with the other colors as accents.
June 2, 2020
George causes a ruckus as usual, but in the end saves the day (also as usual). Love Curious George who’s been around since my early reading days. His heart is always in the right place like many sweet but mischievous little boys I know. Can’t get enough of this little monkey, especially after recently reading the biographical story of the authors, Margaret and H.A. Rey and there dangerous flight on bicycles to escape the Holocaust and German occupation of France. And as they fled they carried the original monkey story/manuscripts with them. ❤️❤️❤️
July 10, 2025
We've become quite fond of these nostalgia-inducing stories. George and The Man in the Yellow Hat are attending the opening of a new toy shop. The owner is dubious about a monkey in there....
George is only ever curious, never naughty. And here it pays off, as he is able to help children explore the shop and find the toys they crave. As ever, his skills and character are noticed and rewarded.
And what reader won't like seeing inside a toy shop and choosing the items they'd like?
An easy read, with a good role model and a perfect bedtime story.
George is only ever curious, never naughty. And here it pays off, as he is able to help children explore the shop and find the toys they crave. As ever, his skills and character are noticed and rewarded.
And what reader won't like seeing inside a toy shop and choosing the items they'd like?
An easy read, with a good role model and a perfect bedtime story.
May 11, 2021
Although we’ve read most Curious George books over the years...and watched the show often...this may be my all time favorite selection. First, let me say how the bonus maze on the back is so intriguing to my four year old. I am really charmed by the setting of a toy store and how George ends up in mischief which ultimately helps all concerned. This book needs to go in my grandkids bin.
December 25, 2025
We're so proud of you for reading about Curious George! You learned that being curious is wonderful, but we should always ask before touching things that aren't ours. Just like George at the toy store, it's important to be patient and use our words. You can remember this when visiting stores or playing with friends' toys. Keep reading, sweet girl—you're amazing!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2021
George and the man with the yellow hat visits a toy store during its grand opening. The store owner doesn't want a monkey in her store, but George is too excited to be stopped. While inside the store George hands out toys to the shoppers making the grand opening a success.
September 24, 2023
Should've gotten the chance to finalize the title as "Curious George and the Store Switcheroo." Kidding aside, aside from this book being highly enjoyable the ending surely sparks curiousity to the kids' perspective on moral relativism.
May 25, 2025
A woman opens a new toy store and doesn't want Curious George inside. She learns that George would make a good employee when he delights all the child customers by handing them toys from high shelves.
I guess there's a lesson in here about how to prove to employers that you're right for a job?
I guess there's a lesson in here about how to prove to employers that you're right for a job?
July 4, 2020
Curious George is a rascal... but a good example for what my kids are NOT to do!
January 20, 2021
(4☆ Would recommend)
Curious George is such a great classic! My son loves the show as well as the books. The length of the stories are perfect for young kids.
Curious George is such a great classic! My son loves the show as well as the books. The length of the stories are perfect for young kids.
January 22, 2021
What a great book just love curious George
August 11, 2022
This book is really nice, I enjoyed reading this book.
January 28, 2023
Lots of fun but the resolution happens perhaps too suddenly and fast. Oh well!
February 4, 2023
Though the plots follow the same pattern (George is naughty but in the end he helps out), they were better reads than I expected. The word scrambles were fun too.
March 10, 2023
Theo loved it but I didn’t like that it encouraged mischief.
July 4, 2023
Best book ever🙈
July 23, 2023
My oldest son says that he likes this book. I found it okay.
June 15, 2024
This wasn't terrible. It turns out that being a monkey in a toy store IS a good thing!
August 31, 2024
It was weird that George ran under the owners legs, I didn't know that he was that small. Signed Eben
June 19, 2025
WD in WI
February 7, 2014
I couldn't help but think that George needed a very good spanking or a long time out of some kind for what he did in this book. I certainly wouldn't want my child to be doing half of the stuff he did in this book. He broke toys, ran around the store and climbed shelves. I understand he is curious but this is crossing the line a bit. My son enjoyed all of it though. I did have to tell my son that what George was doing was bad in case he mistook them to be good things since in the beginning of the book, it states that George is a good monkey. I'm not sure if he quite understands that sometimes good monkeys do bad things. Of course, in the book, everything resolves itself and George is made to be a big help to the store.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews