Find Another Book

Book details

The journey that saved Curious George

Louise Borden - Author

A historically grounded creative-life story in which the origins of Curious George are closely tied to a Jewish couple’s flight from wartime Europe. Its strongest elements are human connection, artistic work, and a tense escape.

Add to Compare Explore

Book Analysis

At a Glance

Discover

Creativity· ExplainedPicture-book making· ExplainedHistorical change· Explained

Consider

Fear and suspenseDiscrimination or prejudiceEmotional intensity

Personalised Fit

Beyond the Cover

creativitypicture-book makinghistorical changewarJewish identityflightperseverance

Non-fictionPicture book

Themes in Context

Art shaped by history

H.A. and Margret Rey develop picture-book work while their lives are affected by the approach of war and their eventual escape.Exploratory / explanatory

How the book presents it: The book presents creative work as part of the couple’s shared life and connects the Curious George manuscript with their wartime journey.

Talk about: How does the historical setting change the meaning of the manuscript and the couple’s creative work?

Escape and refuge

The Reys, Jewish artists from Germany, leave Paris during the Nazi advance, travelling by bicycle with their manuscript.Exploratory / explanatory

How the book presents it: The narrative frames their escape as a central historical event and places personal courage and practical decisions within wartime danger.

Talk about: What choices and forms of help made the journey possible, and how does the book present the couple’s Jewish refugee experience?

Why It May Be Worth Reading

It can open thoughtful discussion about how art, personal relationships, and historical events intersect. Reproduced letters, diaries, photographs, and sketches give the story a documentary dimension.

What Deserves Attention

The wartime setting and the couple’s escape bring danger and persecution into a story associated with a familiar character. Read together if those historical pressures may need calm explanation.

A Conversation Worth Having

What might the Reys’ creative work, care for one another, and decisions during their journey show about making and protecting stories in dangerous times?

Reading Approach

Pause to distinguish the artists’ everyday lives, their creative process, and the historical forces affecting them.

Confidence & Basis

Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.

What remains unconfirmed

Art shaped by history: Some details of this treatment remain unclear.
Escape and refuge: Some details of this treatment remain unclear.

THE JOURNEY THAT SAVED CURIOUS GEORGE

Limited information

Checked: 22 September 2026.

Relevant to: Art shaped by history; Escape and refuge

"The Journey That Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Marg" by Tessa McMillan

Limited information

Checked: 22 September 2026.

Relevant to: Art shaped by history; Escape and refuge

PJ Our Way - The Journey That Saved Curious George

Limited information

Checked: 22 September 2026.

Relevant to: General book context

Benefits, discussion questions and reading approaches are suggestions. Your knowledge of your child remains part of the decision.

Heidi

Heidi

The journey that saved Curious George

At a Glance

Discover

Consider

Personalised Fit

Beyond the Cover

Themes in Context

Art shaped by history

Escape and refuge

Why It May Be Worth Reading

What Deserves Attention

A Conversation Worth Having

Reading Approach

What remains unconfirmed