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Gr 4-8 This beautifully designed volume is a must-have for children's literature buffs. The book is divided into two parts: the first gives background on the couple's childhoods and early life together; the second half is devoted to their dramatic escape from World War II-torn Europe. Husband and wife were both Jewish, born in Hamburg. After serving in the German army during World War I, Hans sailed to Brazil, where he wore a big hat and sailed down the Amazon. Margaret, an old family friend, joined him in 1935, an...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

Author-illustrator H. A. Rey (1898–1977), born Hans Augusto Reyersbach, grew up in Hamburg, Germany, as did his wife Margret (1906–1996). After World War I, Hans emigrated to Brazil; the two were married there in 1935. Carrying Brazilian passports, they honeymooned in Paris. Their intended two-week stay was extended until 1940 when, in the book's central event, the Jewish Reys barely managed to escape the invading Germans—on bicycles. Meanwhile, they'd begun making children's books; an early draft of Curious George was one of the very fe...Log In or Sign Up to Read More