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Plumber's Helper
When Curious George’s new bath toys go down the drain, it’s time to call the plumber. With some amazing tools (and George’s help), the toys are found and the pipes are cleared. When a second drain disaster occurs, George tries fixing it on his own, without the same success. Ultimately, George learns that the best way to keep the plumbing system working is to prevent clogs in the first place . . . and to invest in extra large (and extra fun) bath toys. George’s latest adventure includes fun facts about how water gets to your house along with a coloring and tool-labeling activity.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
24 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
13 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
H.A. Rey
601 books218 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 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 24, 2013
Basic Plot: George learns about why he shouldn't put ANYTHING other than water down the drain.
The plot summary pretty well covers it. This book was based on the TV show, and the art reflects that. The story is ultra-condensed and not nearly as much fun as the actual show or the original books. I must say, though, that I appreciate the lesson taught to small children and hope my son picks this lesson up.
The plot summary pretty well covers it. This book was based on the TV show, and the art reflects that. The story is ultra-condensed and not nearly as much fun as the actual show or the original books. I must say, though, that I appreciate the lesson taught to small children and hope my son picks this lesson up.
March 13, 2016
Our 4yo is obsessed with pipes and plumbing. He carries this book, which he got for his birthday, around the house comparing its pictures to the pipes in our various sinks and toilets. For him, all the stars are not enough.
For me, I kept thinking how the other people who live in George's apartment building must have felt having the whole building water shut off twice in two days. Also that upstairs flood doesn't seem great for the people in 1B.
For me, I kept thinking how the other people who live in George's apartment building must have felt having the whole building water shut off twice in two days. Also that upstairs flood doesn't seem great for the people in 1B.
August 2, 2021
Some of George's new toys went down the bathtub drain and stopped up all the drains in the apartment. When the plumber comes to fix it, George learns all about the pipes, drains, and tools. Of course, George winds up making matters worse when he tries to fix it by himself, but eventually it all works out. This is an entertaining Curious George story, but it is also informative - giving a clear explanation of how plumbing works. The detailed illustrations of the plumbing, including the two page spread of the toys going through the pipes, will be appealing to readers who appreciate how real things work.
September 5, 2018
This book will always be special to me because it is the first book my 5 year old son has ever asked me to buy for him. I have it ordered on Amazon as we speak. I want to encourage loving books. We got it from the library, but he wanted to be able to write in it to do the activities at the end! Love it. He has always been interested in construction and building things, so this is definitely the type of book that piques his interest.
February 20, 2021
Another great George book. George causes flooding and then uses his problem skills to help the plumber fix it. Great books for beginning readers.
January 31, 2023
George helps the plumber figure out what's wrong with the pipes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2016
I read this to Jack. I am not a huge fan of all the expensive trouble George enables and encourages. I think children might copy him and that could get really bad. But, my kids like the show so we checked it out from the library.
August 11, 2013
I'm pretty sure we've read this two or three times every day since getting it at the library. Anything Curious George is a hit around here!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews