Boston’s Book Nook Blog~ Curious George's "Monkey Business" inside Boston Children’s Hospital!

"Curious George" has been a long time, familiar friend of children for over seventy years, teaching important values through quirky mishaps and monkey mischief. 

Brilliantly written and illustrated by the couple Margret and Hans Rey, George travels from adventure to adventure with the help of his companion, The Man with the Yellow Hat, finding himself often immersed in sticky situations coaxed by his abundance of curiosity.  Although "Curious George" is commonly adored by readers from the ages of three to seven, he has no doubt captured the hearts of a mature audience being highly recommended by parents and educators. 

Originally published by Boston’s own Houghton Mifflin Company in 1941, the series has included thematic stories including zoos, birthdays, libraries, camping trips, seasonal tales and more. 

One script of particular interest to Bostonians is the book, “Curious George Goes to the Hospital.”  Why you may ask?  Unknown to many, this story was actually written at the request of our own Boston Children’s Hospital with the hopes of preparing young patients for overnight visits. 

Set off to print in 1966, George finds himself in quite the predicament after he swallows a puzzle piece and must undergo an operation to remove it.  Once situated in his new surroundings, the adorable character engages in his usual monkey business, bringing laughter and ease to his readers who might have anxieties about their own hospital stays. 

Legend says that this story was the Rey’s favorite “George” project because of the overwhelming sentiments they received. Not only praised by the patients of Children’s Hospital, letters were received by the hundreds from parents around the world thanking them for comfort they had given their hospitalized young ones.