In 1940, Hans and Margret Rey fled their Paris home as the German army advanced. They began their harrowing journey on bicycles, pedaling to Southern France with children's book manuscripts among their few possessions.Follow the Rey's amazing story in this unique large format book that resembles a travel journal and includes full-color illustrations, original photos, actual ticket stubs and more. A perfect book for Curious George fans of all ages.

Tales of great adventures and escapes always seem to capture our imaginations, and make us believe that anything is possible. Perhaps that's one of the reasons that the adventures of Margret and H.A. Rey is so tantalizing. And in this adventure, we also have the added benefit of saving a famous manuscript from almost certain destruction. There is hope still that these bits of history will be saved, even when war and devastation strikes.
They never had children of their own and she died in 1996. ( )

Recommended Ages: Gr. 2-5

Plot Summary: Hans Augusto Reyersbach moved to Brazil to study and Margarete followed 9 years later. They married and started writing books together, but they shortened their last name to Rey because it was easier for the Brazilians to pronounce. They moved to France and continued to write books together. When the war got closer, they moved to the French countryside but when the war didn't come anytime soon, they moved back. Finally, the war hit Paris and the couple fled the only way possible: on bikes. They biked for miles with very few belongings, including the script for Curious George.

Setting: Germany, Brazil, France

Characters:
Hans Augusto Reyersbach - born in Germany in 1906, spoke 5 languages, liked spending time at the zoo as a child, fought in WWI
Margarete Waldstein - born in Germany in 1914, wanted to be an artist

Recurring Themes: war, World War II, fear, languages, creativity

Controversial Issues: none

Personal Thoughts: This quick read, written in free verse, was a little slower than I expected, but still an interesting read.

Genre: informational text, biography

Pacing: slow-medium
Characters:
Frame:
Storyline:

Activity: ( )

A picture book biography of Margret and H.A. Rey, focusing on their experience during World War II trying to escape the Nazi invasion. There is suspense and drama here; even as the Reys enjoy stays on the countryside and seashore there is a foreboding sense hanging over it all. Their escape is exhausting and desperate. We also get a sense of how H.A. Rey worked on his books. Illustrations by Drummond bring to mind the "Curious George" illustrations; there are also collages of period photographs, pictures of the Reys and reprints of diary entries and letters. You get the sense that the Reys not only enjoyed life but were sturdy and resourceful as they biked and trained from France to Portugal, sailed to Brazil and then to the U.S.

Found this book at a thrift store, excellent condition, probably only read by me. Interesting story about the authors war time escape from Europe, with photos and drawings. So glad I now own this little gem.