February 1, 2021
PreS-K-As a mischievous and playful monkey introduces young children to the importance of washing their hands. Curious George is outside playing when the Man with the Yellow Hat calls him inside to eat lunch. He reminds George that he must wash his hands because of germs, and that there are good germs and bad germs. Inserts appear on each spread for adults to either read directly or ad-lib with their child, containing important facts and information that accompany the story arc. George goes to the sink and washes his hands, with the insert providing information on how to wash hands correctly, and the story continues with George singing "Happy Birthday" twice to ensure he is cleaning thoroughly. Bright scenes will have children poring over the pages; other than showing young readers how to wash their hands, it also discusses when washing up is a good idea. George eats his lunch and goes outside, only to get covered in mud. Readers are asked, "What should George do now?" This is highly readable and interactive book families can share with their young children, likely to encourage them to follow along. VERDICT Especially in a post-COVID world, washing one's hands is an important topic and Curious George makes it fun.-Rachel Zuffa, Case H.S., Racine, WI
Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
September 30, 1987
This is a pop-up version of the favorite title about the inquisitive monkey who unintentionally wreaks havoc on an entire city just by poking into things. By opening a page or yanking the right tabs, readers can watch George put on the yellow hat (the act that leads to his capture), get rescued from his attempt at flying, and teeter on the telephone lines. The firefighting sequence (when George accidentally calls the fire department) is action-packed, and the final pop-ups, of the monkey with his balloons, are inspired. For modern readers, George's kidnapping may seem severe. But this is a grand adventure in any format, and pop-ups make the still-curious monkey fly. Ages 4-8.