Curious Georges Daring Escape from Nazi Germany

Even before their unexpected exodus from Paris, the Reys’ lives were full of adventure. Originally from Hamburg, Germany, they first met when Hans was dating Margret’s older sister. After returning from World War I, Hans took a job in Rio de Janeiro importing and exporting bathroom fixtures. Years later, having heard that Hans was wasting his artistic talents, Margret decided to travel to Rio, marry him, and start a partnership doing something creative. Their joint venture in advertising accidentally led them to start writing children’s books when a giraffe drawing of Hans’s caught the eye of a publishing company in Paris. Needing the money and with no reason to refuse, Hans and Margret created their first children’s book, Rafi et Les 9 Singes (later published in English as Cecily G and the Nine Monkeys). For a sequel, the Reys featured the youngest of the nine monkeys, Fifi — later renamed George.