http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/features/cgsite/history.shtml
Hans Augusto (September 16, 1898) and Margret (May 16, 1906) were both born in Hamburg, Germany. They met when Margret was a young girl and reunited in Rio de Janeiro in 1935. They married in Brazil on August 16, 1935 and moved to Paris after their honeymoon. H.A. published his first chilren's book there called Raffy and the Nine Monkeys (Cecily G. and the Nine Monkeys in the British and American editions). This marked the beginning of Curious George! They began working on the manuscript for Curious George but the publication was stopped in the late 1930s and early 1940s because Hitler and the Nazi party were trying to take over Paris. H.A. made bicycles for the two of them and they took only warm coats, a bit of food, and five manuscripts one of which was Curious George. The Nazi's arrived in Paris hours later but the Rey's were long gone! Curious George was published in 1941! Both have passed away but Curious George lives on in the Curious George Foundation.
Synopsis:
This story is about Curious George visiting the library for the first time. He sees all the books he likes and wants the librarian to read the one about the dinosaurs. Unfortunately George gets impatient and just takes the book and walks away with it. Soon he is searching through shelves collecting books that he wants to take home and read. He finds a cart to put them on and thinks he can roll the cart home until he crashes into the section of encyclopedias. He helps put the extra books back, then receives a library card of his own, checks out his selected books and enjoys them at home with his friend, the man with the yellow hat.
Pre Reading Activity:
Activity:
Have the class look at the cover and ask them what they think might happen in the story. Then ask if they have been to a library and know any rules of the library.Post Reading Activity:
Activity:
After reading the story, have the class draw pictures of what they should do in a library. Contact the local public library and schedule a time to go with the class and see if they can hang the pictures they drew in the children's section of the library.Reflection:
I think this is a cute book to use in a classroom because it allows students to see what they should do in a library and what steps they need to take in order to take out library books. It is important for children to visit a library at a young age to be familiar with the rules and how to check out books as well as having a library card. I got a library card when I was six years old and still have it today. I use the library quite often and I feel like kids should go there at least once a week to check out books to read.
