Curious George is a children's book series where George the monkey is always getting into tight spots and his friend "the Man with the Yellow Hat" comes to his aid. In real life it was a different story,the authors a German born Jewish couple (Hans and Margret Rey) were trying to stay one step ahead of the Nazis. The fled their adopted hometown of Paris to the countryside but word quickly spread of the German-accented strangers and the authorities showed up to question them. Hans assured them that they were working on a children's book and showed them sketches. The Reys' realized that it would be best to flee the continent and begin the paperwork. To fund their escape they sold the manuscript for "Fifi" (George's original name),this was the second time George/Fifi bailed them out. Hans purchase bicycle parts and managed to cobble together two bikes. They left Paris on the morning of June 12,1940 with nothing but bread,cheese,water and five of their manuscripts. Two days later the Nazis captured the city. Eventually they boarded a train bound for Spain and George/Fifi rescued them for the third time when officials suspected them of smuggling secrets,Hans once again produced the manuscript. Four months later they finally made it to their new home in New York. After just a few weeks they were offered a four book contract. The published suggested that Fifi's name be changed to something more masculine,and at last George was born.
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