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Curious George New Adventures
Curious George in the Big City
When the man with the yellow hat promises to buy George a holiday surprise during their trip to the city, George decides he wants to give his friend a surprise too. But it isn't long before the little monkey's curiosity gets him into trouble and he gets separated from his friend. Though he has fun seeing the tourist sites and all the sparkling decorations, what he enjoys most is finding his best friend and enjoying the city together. NEW bonus features include a drawing activity, word jumble, and spot-the-difference activity.
24 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2001
About the author
H.A. Rey
600 books219 followersHans Augusto Rey was born on September 16, 1898, in Hamburg, Germany. He grew up there near the world-famous Hagenbeck Zoo, and developed a lifelong love for animals and drawing. Margarete Elisabeth Waldstein (who would be known to most of the world as Margret Rey) was also born in Hamburg on May 16, 1906. The two met briefly when Margret was a young girl, before she left Hamburg to study art. They were reunited in 1935 in Rio de Janeiro, where Hans was selling bathtubs as part of a family business and Margret was escaping the political climate in Germany. Margret convinced Hans to leave the family business, and soon they were working together on a variety of projects.
Hans and Margret were married in Brazil on August 16, 1935, and they moved to Paris after falling in love with the city during their European honeymoon. It was there that Hans published his first children’s book, after a French publisher saw his newspaper cartoons of a giraffe and asked him to expand upon them. Raffy and the Nine Monkeys (Cecily G. and the Nine Monkeys in the British and American editions) was the result, and it marked the debut of a mischievous monkey named Curious George.
After Raffy and the Nine Monkeys was published, the Reys decided that Curious George deserved a book of his own, so they began work on a manuscript that featured the lovable and exceedingly curious little monkey. But the late 1930s and early ’40s were a tumultuous time in Europe, and before the new manuscript could be published, the Reys—both German Jews—found themselves in a horrible situation. Hitler and his Nazi party were tearing through Europe, and they were poised to take control of Paris.
Knowing that they must escape before the Nazis took power, Hans cobbled together two bicycles out of spare parts. Early in the morning of June 14, 1940, the Reys set off on their bicycles. They brought very little with them on their predawn flight — only warm coats, a bit of food, and five manuscripts, one of which was Curious George. The Nazis entered Paris just hours later, but the Reys were already on their way out. They rode their makeshift bicycles for four long days until reaching the French-Spanish border, where they sold them for train fare to Lisbon. From there they made their way to Brazil and on to New York City, beginning a whole new life as children’s book authors.
Curious George was published by Houghton Mifflin in 1941, and for sixty years these books have been capturing the hearts and minds of readers throughout the world. All the Curious George books, including the seven original stories by Margret and Hans, have sold more than twenty-five million copies. So popular that his original story has never been out of print, George has become one of the most beloved and recognizable characters in children’s literature. His adventures have been translated into many languages, including Japanese, French, Afrikaans, Portuguese, Swedish, German, Chinese, Danish, and Norwegian.
Although both of the Reys have passed away — Hans in 1977 and Margret in 1996—George lives on in the Curious George Foundation. Established in 1989, this foundation funds programs for children that share Curious George’s irresistible qualities—ingenuity, opportunity, determination, and curiosity in learning and exploring. Much consideration is given to programs that benefit animals, through preservation as well as the prevention of cruelty to animals. The foundation supports community outreach programs that emphasize the importance of family, from counseling to peer support groups.
Hans and Margret were married in Brazil on August 16, 1935, and they moved to Paris after falling in love with the city during their European honeymoon. It was there that Hans published his first children’s book, after a French publisher saw his newspaper cartoons of a giraffe and asked him to expand upon them. Raffy and the Nine Monkeys (Cecily G. and the Nine Monkeys in the British and American editions) was the result, and it marked the debut of a mischievous monkey named Curious George.
After Raffy and the Nine Monkeys was published, the Reys decided that Curious George deserved a book of his own, so they began work on a manuscript that featured the lovable and exceedingly curious little monkey. But the late 1930s and early ’40s were a tumultuous time in Europe, and before the new manuscript could be published, the Reys—both German Jews—found themselves in a horrible situation. Hitler and his Nazi party were tearing through Europe, and they were poised to take control of Paris.
Knowing that they must escape before the Nazis took power, Hans cobbled together two bicycles out of spare parts. Early in the morning of June 14, 1940, the Reys set off on their bicycles. They brought very little with them on their predawn flight — only warm coats, a bit of food, and five manuscripts, one of which was Curious George. The Nazis entered Paris just hours later, but the Reys were already on their way out. They rode their makeshift bicycles for four long days until reaching the French-Spanish border, where they sold them for train fare to Lisbon. From there they made their way to Brazil and on to New York City, beginning a whole new life as children’s book authors.
Curious George was published by Houghton Mifflin in 1941, and for sixty years these books have been capturing the hearts and minds of readers throughout the world. All the Curious George books, including the seven original stories by Margret and Hans, have sold more than twenty-five million copies. So popular that his original story has never been out of print, George has become one of the most beloved and recognizable characters in children’s literature. His adventures have been translated into many languages, including Japanese, French, Afrikaans, Portuguese, Swedish, German, Chinese, Danish, and Norwegian.
Although both of the Reys have passed away — Hans in 1977 and Margret in 1996—George lives on in the Curious George Foundation. Established in 1989, this foundation funds programs for children that share Curious George’s irresistible qualities—ingenuity, opportunity, determination, and curiosity in learning and exploring. Much consideration is given to programs that benefit animals, through preservation as well as the prevention of cruelty to animals. The foundation supports community outreach programs that emphasize the importance of family, from counseling to peer support groups.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 9, 2022
Neglected George, But He Doesn’t Know It.
George is spending a day in the city. New York City, that is. With the man with the yellow hat. The neglectful man with the yellow hat.
The man insists on bringing George everywhere he goes. Then lets him run loose. This time his excuse is he wants to buy a surprise gift for George.
They get separated and then George gets into mischief and then gets lost and find an adventure for himself. Which is a good thing because he needs something to keep him out of trouble.
But what about the man with the yellow hat? Is he cited or fined, or chastised for losing George? We’ll just have to wait and see.
Four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
George is spending a day in the city. New York City, that is. With the man with the yellow hat. The neglectful man with the yellow hat.
The man insists on bringing George everywhere he goes. Then lets him run loose. This time his excuse is he wants to buy a surprise gift for George.
They get separated and then George gets into mischief and then gets lost and find an adventure for himself. Which is a good thing because he needs something to keep him out of trouble.
But what about the man with the yellow hat? Is he cited or fined, or chastised for losing George? We’ll just have to wait and see.
Four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 15, 2016
When I was little, Curious George was OK, but now as an adult I want to read all of the books. I love George's sense of curiosity, helpfulness and adventure!
February 12, 2022
Fun and funny, great little story.
January 5, 2018
Throughout the story this book shows several iconic sights of New York City in winter at Christmastime. It has a nice nostalgic feel with the last line of the story being one where togetherness/relationship is highlighted as most important at the holiday. I also laughed at the subtlety of the illustration where George receives a hat and scarf as a gift, because the picture shows that he ties the scarf in a bow around his waist. The next picture, without text explanation, shows that it is correctly around his neck.
May 25, 2025
Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat take Manhattan! The generic text "big city" is belied by how many of the watercolor illustrations show Manhattan landmarks.
George gets in trouble in a department store, and not for the first time (see "Curious George at the Parade"). He also runs all around the city by public transit looking for Yellow Hat, in a great display of parental negligence if you see George as a metaphorical preschooler rather than a real monkey.
Just average.
George gets in trouble in a department store, and not for the first time (see "Curious George at the Parade"). He also runs all around the city by public transit looking for Yellow Hat, in a great display of parental negligence if you see George as a metaphorical preschooler rather than a real monkey.
Just average.
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July 10, 2021Too much yellow 💛
August 29, 2021
Super cute book
June 25, 2024
I love Curious George books the most. George was flying with the balloons- I have that on my wall. I wonder why George is so curious? Have we read every George book in the library mama? - Khi 3
March 15, 2025
Curious George in the Big City (Curious George) by H.A. Rey – A sweet adventure with the world’s cutest monkey! Happy Reading!
February 14, 2026
I like the city in the book!
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April 9, 2012Rey, Margret. Curios George in the Big City. (2001)
Annotation: When George gets in trouble at the Department Store, he is also seperate from his friend with the yellow het. While George is seperated from his frind he goes on a journey through the city until he gets back to the store, where he is reunited with his friend.
Themes: adventure, friendship, consequences
Ways to use with children: You can talk about which city George is in and the different tourist sites that are shown. You can all talk about choices and consequences.
Recommended ages: 3- 9
Annotation: When George gets in trouble at the Department Store, he is also seperate from his friend with the yellow het. While George is seperated from his frind he goes on a journey through the city until he gets back to the store, where he is reunited with his friend.
Themes: adventure, friendship, consequences
Ways to use with children: You can talk about which city George is in and the different tourist sites that are shown. You can all talk about choices and consequences.
Recommended ages: 3- 9
October 3, 2012
Curious George in the Big City is story about a monkey named George who goes the city. George goes to the city to see the sights and in the process gets separated from his friend. While separated, George has many adventures. The illustrators do a superb job at providing descriptive drawings. Each drawing is colorful and complete. The reader can clearly follow the storyline and text the aid of the illustrations. Curious George in the Big City would be a fun and interactive book to use with younger elementary children.
November 8, 2014
Curious George in the Big City is a really sweet book about the best known monkey in literature, George. George gets the nickname Curious George because he's always curious about something. Sometimes his curiosity gets him in trouble, or lost, like in this book. George and the man in the yellow hat go to the big city to spend some time together for the holidays. George gets lost, and ends up all over the city, trying to find his friend. Eventually, George ends up where he started, and is reunited with the man with the yellow hat. Curious George is a great book with good illustrations.
January 24, 2017
This is again another of my favorite of the Curious George books. He gets lost from the man in the department store but is reunited at the end. Really enjoyed reading it to my granddaughter and she liked it too.
November 22, 2021
While Christmas shopping in the city, George gets into mischief and gets lost in the city. After seeing the sights of the city, George finds his way back to where the man with the yellow hat left him, and they both enjoy the city sights together.
April 25, 2008
I particularly love the Curious George books that were illustrated by our brilliant friend Martha Weston.
March 26, 2010
See some of the city sites as Curious George searches to find his friend.
November 12, 2012
The Curious George books are so cute!
October 18, 2013
continues the story of the cute little monkey who moves to the city
November 13, 2013
Straight from my kid's mouth: Superstar tells me this was the best book ever because it taught us a lesson that we needed to hold hands in a crowded place. :)
Want to Read
September 6, 2015II
January 16, 2017
Plot: I know, I'll bring this monkey that I'm responsible for and leave him alone in a department store. Nothing bad will happen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2019
We love Curious George books!
March 13, 2013
Poor little monkey in the big city. Will you ever find your way back?
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews