In June 1940, on a rainy morning before dawn, the Reys left Paris on bicycles, just hours before the Nazis entered the city. They took only warm coats and their manuscripts and artwork, among the stories was Curious George. After selling their bicycles at the French-Spanish border, they went by train to Lisbon, on to Rio de Janeiro, and finally arrived in New York City in October 1940. Although they did not know any publishers in the United States, Grace Hogarth at Houghton Mifflin quickly recognized their genius, and Curious George was published in 1941. Curious George quickly became a classic throughout the world, and editions have appeared in every possible language with George renamed "Zozo," "Bingo," "Nicke," "Coco," and "Piete," among others.

(Listen to Margret tell how she and Hans created the character Curious George.)