Hours before Paris fell to the Nazis, Margret and H.A. Rey fled the city by bicycle, carrying with them the manuscripts that would become Curious George. I think about that backstory every time I read this one. A bike is an object that can carry a lot of meaning, and I can't help but read some poignancy into this story knowing that bikes literally carried the Reys to freedom.

Once of my preferred original Curious Georges. The rollercoaster of George's adventures and misadventures is well calibrated here. The only parts that feel dark or dated are the sad animal menagerie and an ostrich almost asphyxiating(?!).

KID VERDICT (3y - 4y): He's a big fan of Curious George and reaches for this one regularly. I think he can follow the story well, which helps a lot. He did at one point get a concerned look and ask me about what was happening to the ostrich. "Oh well you see, kiddo, that ostrich nearly choked to death, he was turning blue because of oxygen deprivation" -- the discussion every parent wants to have at bedtime.