Want personalized picks that fit your family?
Set preferences to see our top age-appropriate picks for your kids.
Curious George
Parents say
Kids say
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Get it now on
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Curious George is the first book in a series that's been popular for generations and has spawned an animated TV show and apps. George's antics will have kids laughing. The writing is simple and direct, and the art is charming in this adventure tale, first published in 1941. Some kids may be a little troubled by George's sad expression when he's whisked away from his jungle home -- as well as when he lands in jail for accidentally calling the fire department. Parents will want to reassure them that they won't get locked up for minor infractions.
Stay up to date on new reviews.
User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
Too mature for my toddler.
Not just for kids...
Great book for kids. Your kids will laugh right out of their chair
What's the story?
What happens when you take a curious monkey out of the jungle and set him loose in the big city? When the monkey is Curious George, the answer is chaos ... and a whole lot of fun! It's one adventure after another until he is arrives happily at the zoo.
Is it any good?
George's insatiable curiosity -- and children's understanding of what could go wrong -- make this book such a fun read. This classic from 1941 has been criticized in recent times for seeming to condone colonialism, as it portrays the white Man in the Yellow Hat taking George from the African jungle to the big city with intentions of "civilizing" him.
Author-illustrator H. A. Rey takes care to fill every other page with a colorful cartoon-like drawing. One outstanding picture shows an aerial view of George holding balloons and floating over the city. However, sometimes a series of thumbnail pictures appears on one page and can confuse young children.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about how George keeps getting into trouble. Why do you think he does?
What other George stories have you read or seen on TV? Why do kids love him so much?
Why is George in such serious trouble after the fire-station incident? What would happen if you accidentally summoned a fire truck in real life?
Book details
- Author: H. A. Rey
- Illustrator: H. A. Rey
- Genre: Adventure
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Children's Books
- Publication date: February 1, 1973
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 7
- Number of pages: 48
Top advice and articles
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.