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Curious George and the Summer Games
George is curious about all the field day Summer Games, but what sporting event will he compete in?
Every year, the town has a Summer Games field day, and George wants to join in on the fun, especially if the prize is a medal! But what is the perfect Summer Games event for a little monkey? When George finds a sport that he loves and is a natural at, he must practice, practice, practice. With some teamwork and cheering on the contestants, George is ready to make this the best Summer Games!
Every year, the town has a Summer Games field day, and George wants to join in on the fun, especially if the prize is a medal! But what is the perfect Summer Games event for a little monkey? When George finds a sport that he loves and is a natural at, he must practice, practice, practice. With some teamwork and cheering on the contestants, George is ready to make this the best Summer Games!
24 pages, Paperback
Published June 2, 2020
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 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 2, 2021
Cute for the little ones. Good introduction to summer Olympic sports. Story features a community "summer games" for the kids that takes place in the park. George tries the hurdles, long jump, badminton, volleyball and relay race before finally finding his niche with gymnastics. Along the way, he learns to encourage a fellow competitor who is experiencing stage fright, and that "Playing sports is about being fit and healthy [...] and having fun. It's not just about winning."
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January 1, 2026Read with Autumn!
June 22, 2023
Curious George wants a medal. At the summer games, every kid in town can compete in sports like volleyball or track-and-field. Which sport will George choose?
Much hilarity -- or some hilarity -- ensues, this being a book by Monica Perez, not H.A. Rey (despite what the cover proclaims; find the truth on copyright page).
Gamely, the monkey tries out one sport after another. The ensuing antics might be very hilarious, to a three-year-old; especially because that George always is drawn wearing a huge smile on his face. Shame that smiling isn't a sport that can be awarded with medals, actually.
The ending is sweet, although it has little to do with classic stories about Curious George.
Summing Up
The book is sweet; the ending is sweet; George smiles incessantly. I'll do my part, and give this picture book FIVE STARS.
Much hilarity -- or some hilarity -- ensues, this being a book by Monica Perez, not H.A. Rey (despite what the cover proclaims; find the truth on copyright page).
Gamely, the monkey tries out one sport after another. The ensuing antics might be very hilarious, to a three-year-old; especially because that George always is drawn wearing a huge smile on his face. Shame that smiling isn't a sport that can be awarded with medals, actually.
The ending is sweet, although it has little to do with classic stories about Curious George.
Summing Up
The book is sweet; the ending is sweet; George smiles incessantly. I'll do my part, and give this picture book FIVE STARS.
October 4, 2025
We're so proud of you for reading "Curious George and the Summer Games"! You learned something wonderful - that trying your best and having fun matters more than winning. Just like George, you can be brave and try new things, even when they seem hard. Whether you're playing at the park, learning at school, or helping at home, remember to do your best and enjoy yourself. You don't always have to be first to be amazing. We love watching you grow into such a thoughtful reader!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2021
The summer games are back in town, and George wants to compete. George is having a difficult time finding the right sport to participate in, but he contributes to the games in his own special way.
September 22, 2020
George helps Stella get over her stage fright at the summer games.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2022
Read to my niece and nephew after a trip to the Library in January 2022.
July 25, 2023
George finds out which sport he is good at at the summer field games
December 30, 2020
George the monkey wants to participate in the summer games but has trouble finding the right sport. Nice gymnastic and friendship themes. Preschool and up
September 24, 2020
I found the story a tad repetitive and not really a whole lot of fun, but still... It's Curious George!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews