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Curious George Plants a Seed
Curious George watches Jumpy the squirrel bury an acorn in the yard. Upon learning that Jumpy is storing food for later, George decides to do the same. The man with the yellow hat comes home to find the kitchen empty and its contents buried in the yard! It’s time to teach George about what things grow and what don’t. George finally gets it right when he grows a beautiful sunflower from a seed.
24 pages, Paperback
First published April 23, 2007
20 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
H.A. Rey
600 books217 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
October 19, 2025
Sweet Sarah, we're so proud of you for reading about Curious George! You learned something important - that plants need patience and daily care to grow big and strong. Just like George waited for his garden, you can be patient when learning new things or helping something grow. You did an amazing job reading this whole book! Keep being curious and kind like George!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2016
This is a level one reading book, therefore it is a great fit for kindergarten to first graders.
July 3, 2015
In this book Curious George the monkey learns that if you plant a seed that something wonderful will grow from it (in time). But he learns this as he thinks if you plant 'anything' it will grow. So with the help of his friends he learns you can't just plant household things and has to be seeds. A nice book to help teach the lesson of planting and growing things.
(This is NOT a classic Curious George book, although still good not the classic. This is based off the PBS cartoon.)
(This is NOT a classic Curious George book, although still good not the classic. This is based off the PBS cartoon.)
February 3, 2014
It was okay. I like the book George, not so much the TV George. I think Jumpy the Squirrel was an unnecessary character that should have been peripheral. But possibly Jumpy is a part of the tv show. I don't know.
Jumpy notwithstanding, I like George's response, and it seemed mostly in spirit of the original stories.
Jumpy notwithstanding, I like George's response, and it seemed mostly in spirit of the original stories.
November 25, 2009
Jumps around a bit...an easy reader using familiar character but TV show monkey rather than traditional book character. George plants a variety of things in the ground, only few of which will grow.
June 3, 2012
The man in the yellow hat told George that stuff from the house won't grow, only seed and nuts. M.S.
December 2, 2012
Jorge el Curioso never gets old. I still love him and the el hombre del sombrero amarillo. You go Jorge el Curioso!
January 15, 2013
Always have loved Curious George and love sharing the books and cartoon with my nephew. He's learning to read and this is a book he brougt home from school. :)
April 27, 2016
It was pretty funny when George tried to plants rubber bands and feathers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2016
C liked the book and we are doing the experiment in the back, so that is an added plus. Bean sprouts, here we come!
June 14, 2016
Good book to start your young children out with . my son loves this book and we read it over and over .
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews