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Curious George New Adventures
Curious George Goes to a Costume Party
George is excited to attend his first costume party, but there's just one problem--he doesn't have a costume! Will the mischievous little monkey be able to find the perfect one without starting too much trouble?
Mrs. Gray's party isn't just any party--it's a costume party, and George and the man with the yellow hat aren’t wearing costumes! No matter—there are plenty in an old trunk upstairs, and soon George is trying on all kinds of outfits. But it's not long before George gets in the bed sheets. His new look may give the guests a scare at first, but in the end George is the life of the party!
Mrs. Gray's party isn't just any party--it's a costume party, and George and the man with the yellow hat aren’t wearing costumes! No matter—there are plenty in an old trunk upstairs, and soon George is trying on all kinds of outfits. But it's not long before George gets in the bed sheets. His new look may give the guests a scare at first, but in the end George is the life of the party!
24 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
37 people are currently reading
363 people want to read
About the author
Margret Rey
235 books121 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 55 reviews
December 10, 2023
Why Leave Him Alone?
This is a book that I read a while ago for Halloween. I forgot to mention it to Good Reads.
Curious George is too curious. He’s always being left alone when it’s known that he gets into scrapes.
This particular piece of trouble is him scaring everyone when he dresses up as a ghost.
Thank goodness everything worked out alright.
Four stars. 💫💫💫💫
This is a book that I read a while ago for Halloween. I forgot to mention it to Good Reads.
Curious George is too curious. He’s always being left alone when it’s known that he gets into scrapes.
This particular piece of trouble is him scaring everyone when he dresses up as a ghost.
Thank goodness everything worked out alright.
Four stars. 💫💫💫💫
October 20, 2018
I did think this was going to be an original Curious George book, but the original was written in 1939, so 60 years later they will not still be writing. This is written by Martha Weston in their style. It does fit in with the original books very well.
The story is simple, George and the Man in the Yellow hat go to a Costume party with no costumes and the lady of the house let’s George borrow a costume. George gets into a mess and causes a stir at the party that is pretty exciting. Then Happy Halloween.
It was a cute little story and the kids really enjoyed George sliding down the banister. They laughed. They gave this 4 stars, so the story still works for children.
The story is simple, George and the Man in the Yellow hat go to a Costume party with no costumes and the lady of the house let’s George borrow a costume. George gets into a mess and causes a stir at the party that is pretty exciting. Then Happy Halloween.
It was a cute little story and the kids really enjoyed George sliding down the banister. They laughed. They gave this 4 stars, so the story still works for children.
October 22, 2025
"It's Ween", as Tot put it. What's not to love?
December 6, 2017
Curious George goes to a costume party, frightens everyone, then wins the prize for best costume. A timeless classic with the curious monkey that everyone loves.
November 5, 2017
Another win for George. This book provides the opportunity for children to make inferences. Cute, as expected.
November 18, 2019
George and the man with the yellow hat went to Mrs. Gray’s house for a party. But when the door opened, he saw a witch! ‘The witch is our friend’ said the man with the yellow hat. When George went in, everyone was wearing costumes. She wanted to wear one too! Mrs. Gray took him to the clothing 100 mall. The costumes did not fit except one. He put it on and came down stairs. At last everyone got a prick. George got two. Then everyone went home.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2017
This book is one of many in the Curious George series. This book tells the story of George and the man in the yellow hat going to a party. When they arrive they are told it is a costume, but they don't have costumes. George is instructed by the host of the party to go to the attic and find something that he could use for his costume. He tries on a fireman's hat and sailor suit, but they are both too big for him. George spots a sheet and he pulls it off the table and in the process he knocks down a lamp. It breaks and the guests hear it downstairs. They wonder what it could be and when George comes downstairs tangled in the sheet he causes quite a scare.
The format in this book is consistent on all the pages. Each page features a picture that takes up most of the page. Underneath the picture is negative space for the text to written. This book uses similar colors on all pages such as blue, green, yellow, and brown. The pictures are slightly toned down as far as brightness goes, which may have to due with the year it was published. The characters in the book are drawn simplistically. They each have two black dots for eyes and share other similar features. The illustrator is still able to show emotion within the pictures. You can tell when the characters are shocked or happy. The pictures can provide the reader with a general idea of what is happening in the story, but the text is needed to make the story comprehensible. This book can be read by younger children because each page contains no more than a few sentences. This book is not informational, instead its purpose is to entertain. The main character is one that many children are familiar with and they will likely enjoy the story.
The format in this book is consistent on all the pages. Each page features a picture that takes up most of the page. Underneath the picture is negative space for the text to written. This book uses similar colors on all pages such as blue, green, yellow, and brown. The pictures are slightly toned down as far as brightness goes, which may have to due with the year it was published. The characters in the book are drawn simplistically. They each have two black dots for eyes and share other similar features. The illustrator is still able to show emotion within the pictures. You can tell when the characters are shocked or happy. The pictures can provide the reader with a general idea of what is happening in the story, but the text is needed to make the story comprehensible. This book can be read by younger children because each page contains no more than a few sentences. This book is not informational, instead its purpose is to entertain. The main character is one that many children are familiar with and they will likely enjoy the story.
March 23, 2015
Curious George is always going on new adventures with the man in the yellow hat. In this book, Mrs. Gray is hosting a halloween and George arrived and forgot to bring his own. George and the man in the yellow hat are able to find clever costumes and George gives the crowd a good life from another one of silly tricks.
As always, the books are wonderfully illustrated. They are not too complicated, but offer a lot to the text. I found it interesting that the man in the yellow is indeed wearing yellow on his suit as well as his hat. Yellow represents happiness, warmth, and caution. I definitely view the man in the yellow hat as a very warm, caring person throughout the whole story. However, I saw him as a person of cautious as well because he is the one taking care of George and that means he must caution him on wrong and right things. Because the man in the yellow hat was wearing two separate items with yellow, I though this was a way to represent how he holds both characteristics.
There was not a lot of didactism in this book. This is more of a fun read for children, and not all children's books need a heavy theme necessarily. I like that there are so many Curious George books. It is fun for kids to follow around George and see all of the silly things that he is getting himself into with the man in the yellow hat.
As always, the books are wonderfully illustrated. They are not too complicated, but offer a lot to the text. I found it interesting that the man in the yellow is indeed wearing yellow on his suit as well as his hat. Yellow represents happiness, warmth, and caution. I definitely view the man in the yellow hat as a very warm, caring person throughout the whole story. However, I saw him as a person of cautious as well because he is the one taking care of George and that means he must caution him on wrong and right things. Because the man in the yellow hat was wearing two separate items with yellow, I though this was a way to represent how he holds both characteristics.
There was not a lot of didactism in this book. This is more of a fun read for children, and not all children's books need a heavy theme necessarily. I like that there are so many Curious George books. It is fun for kids to follow around George and see all of the silly things that he is getting himself into with the man in the yellow hat.
September 30, 2014
I chose this book because it's almost Halloween time. Some children get scared due to all the scary costumes put dress up as. I like this book because it shows children to not be afraid because it's all fun and games. I found it so cute when Mrs. Gray helped George search for a costume to wear to the party after seeing everyone dressed in theirs.
If a child read this book, i think that they would be even more excited for Halloween to come around. The font style throughout the book were easy to read. All the colors matched if the costumes were in real life. Just like every other Curious George book, all the illustrations are sketch-like drawings. At the end of the book, George had a marvelous time at his first costume party!
If a child read this book, i think that they would be even more excited for Halloween to come around. The font style throughout the book were easy to read. All the colors matched if the costumes were in real life. Just like every other Curious George book, all the illustrations are sketch-like drawings. At the end of the book, George had a marvelous time at his first costume party!
January 19, 2014
Curious George, Goes to a costume party. Age 4-5
It is fun story that all most children will like. It will encourage children to wear costumes like bowboy, mommy, astronaut and they might have different costume they prefer. Also it is a colorful book and the words are very easy for children to understand and enjoy. Also it’s teaching the children to explore and not to be afraid from anything.
Learning experience:
Teacher can have the chance to let the children choose the costume they like and wear it and then talk about each charcter like astronaut, mommy, fire fighter, and cowboy. Teacher can ask the children what is the favorite character you like to be.
It is fun story that all most children will like. It will encourage children to wear costumes like bowboy, mommy, astronaut and they might have different costume they prefer. Also it is a colorful book and the words are very easy for children to understand and enjoy. Also it’s teaching the children to explore and not to be afraid from anything.
Learning experience:
Teacher can have the chance to let the children choose the costume they like and wear it and then talk about each charcter like astronaut, mommy, fire fighter, and cowboy. Teacher can ask the children what is the favorite character you like to be.
March 12, 2016
George and the man with the yellow hat are invited to a party - that ends up being a costume party. George tries on various costumes then is mistaken for a ghost!
Curious George is one of my favorite characters. Like most young children, he gets into trouble accidentally then has to get out of the mess he has caused. I think he is very easy for kids to identify with and this series is easy and fun to read.
Curious George is one of my favorite characters. Like most young children, he gets into trouble accidentally then has to get out of the mess he has caused. I think he is very easy for kids to identify with and this series is easy and fun to read.
June 8, 2011
3 1/2 stars. So far I haven't been very impressed with the newer versions of the Curious George books, but I really like this one. It was fun to see several of the minor characters in the original books, including Bill and Betsy. And in this one, George didn't make a huge mess that everyone had to help him clean up.
January 23, 2016
Curious George goes to his first costume party. Though the hostess was thoughtless to not to tell them it was a costume party, she does find costumes for them. George is fooling around upstairs with his costume and knocks over stuff and slides the stairs and people thinks he's a ghost and so on and so forth.
Typical Curious George illustrations.
Typical Curious George illustrations.
January 21, 2016
First time to read a Curious George book. It was as lively as other children's books, like Dr Seuss (yes, he's my favorite). The story line seemed short and didn't allow me to figure out more about George other than he is a curious monkey.
Am I reading the collection wrong? Maybe I am, Curious George fans out there please guide me on the right order of books to read.
Am I reading the collection wrong? Maybe I am, Curious George fans out there please guide me on the right order of books to read.
January 16, 2017
Really I wish I could give this 4.5 stars. Not a bad book, but I have to save the 5 stars for the very best.
My three year old enjoys this story. He gets really anxious when curious George jumps in the bed because he doesn't want him to get into trouble. He also lives the "trick" George plays with the sheet over his head.
My three year old enjoys this story. He gets really anxious when curious George jumps in the bed because he doesn't want him to get into trouble. He also lives the "trick" George plays with the sheet over his head.
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September 27, 2018Curious George is a flashback. They are as fun to read today as it was to hear them when we were kids. Read the full review.
October 31, 2010
This was the perfect book for reading on Halloween. George goes to a costume party, but he's not dressed up. He finds a cowboy costume, but then he gets tangled up in a tablecloth and scares everyone as a ghost!
November 12, 2014
This was a cute George book where he and his friend go to a part but it's a costume Halloween party! He didn't know they were to dress up but the lady hosting the party had a chest of dress up clothes that George finds the perfect costume. He has fun with his friends.
October 15, 2009
Another great pre-Halloween story with a familiar character.
July 30, 2010
Mom says I going to be a Lady Bug for Halloween this year.
November 1, 2010
Darling Halloween story!
October 6, 2011
My son loves Curious George! This is a great book for Halloween. Its fun, and everything only Curious George could get mixed up in. Must read with your little one anytime.
October 19, 2011
I love that George gets scared of himself in this story. My daughter Miranda loves it too.
October 19, 2011
audiobook from library
November 21, 2012
Wow, George, can you do anything right?
January 14, 2013
By far my favorite Curious George book! This one had the kids rolling with laughter!
March 13, 2013
Cute Halloween story, and who doesn't lie a little monkey dressed up
September 19, 2013
I love Curious George. He's so wonderful. I hope to one day own all of the books about him.
November 7, 2013
The kids asked me to give this book 5-stars. It will probably be an easy read for your first-grade student and is a fun book for fans of Curious George.
October 3, 2015
This is a great pick to start excitement for Halloween festivities. My three year olds loved it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews