Author Spotlight: Margret and H.A. Rey

Margaret and H.A. Rey’s real-life story is one of love, danger, and adventure. Hans Augusto Rey, a Jewish man born in Hamburg, Germany in 1898, grew up close to the famous Hagenbeck Zoo. Hans spent hours at the zoo, drawing pictures of animals – foreshadowing a career which would include some of the most recognizable illustrations of animals in children’s literature.

As an adult, Rey served in World War I, and then left Germany as the job prospects were dismal and took a sales job in Brazil. There he was reacquainted with a woman he had known from Hamburg, Margret Waldstein, who had left Germany and come to Brazil to escape the threat of rapidly rising Nazi party.

In 1935, Margret and H.A. married and moved from Brazil to France.
But in 1940 just hours before the Nazi’s marched in and overtook Paris, Margret and H.A. Rey, narrowly escaped, fleeing on bicycles that H.A. had himself built from used parts. For three days they rode with little more than the clothes on their backs. However, they refused to leave behind the manuscript for a children’s book they had been working on together and held it carefully and closely as their odyssey unfolded. Once they made it to Spanish border, the couple sold their bikes for train tickets to Portugal, where they boarded a ship headed for Brazil and eventually New York. Shortly after arriving in New York City, they got a deal with Houghton Mifflin to publish their book called Curious George, which became an instant success. The Reys wrote and illustrated 6 more Curious George Books together.

In The Journey That Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H.A. Rey, Louise Borden meticulously details the Rey’s ordeal from leaving Paris to their safe arrival in New York. Although a children’s book, the story is a fascinating read for adults too.

Writing and illustrating were not the only passions the Reys shared. Both Margret and H.A. were outdoor enthusiasts who actively pursued gardening, hiking, and bicycling. H.A. was very interested in astronomy, and wrote two books on the subject; a children’s book called Stars, a New Way to See Them, and a young adult book called Find the Constellations.

The Rey’s legacy of encouraging curiosity includes more than just their world famous books. Now, The Margret and H.A. Rey Center and Curious George Cottage located in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire supports learning in many areas. The center, much more than a destination for Curios George fans, includes an observatory and nature trail. The Curious George Cottage, the former summer home of the Rey's, is dedicated to honoring the Margret and H.A.'s memory through providing educational and recreational programs for children, adults, and families.
A variety of activities and events are offered throughout the year including hikes, family astronomy nights and a Curiosity Club for homeschoolers where children learn about nature through hands on activities, journaling and art.