Curious about Curious George

[zenmondo]

Yesterday with buffalogal's payday we bought Conor the new Curious George video game based on the new movie.

Now something has occurred to me, everyone keeps calling him a monkey. I remember thinking of him as a monkey when I was a kid. Yet, Curious George does not have a tail! He is an ape of some kind. Probably a young Chimpanzee would be my guess.

There is also on the back of the instructions, some pictures of Curious George Merchandise, these plush dolls, each dressed differently. Aside from the fact, that Curious George doesn't wear clothes, one of these dolls is "Splish Splash Curious George" dressed in some swimming trunks. Now if he is not a monkey, taking Curious George to the pool would be a mistake, as apes cannot swim.

I don't know where I came across that paticular piece of trivia of apes not being able to swim, but I am pretty confident its true. I dunno, I do watch a lot of PBS. I think it was also a plot point in the Tim Burton Planet of the Apes I think.

Comments

[goldenmoonrose.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that monkeys and apes can't swim, because it was a plot point on a Quantum Leap episode when Sam leaps into a chimp. Sam saves a drounding man, which confounds the scientists, as chimps can't swim. It has something to do with body fat. Not sure if this is real science as QL was full of plot holes. But I'd trust QL science over CG science.

:)

[mopedronin.livejournal.com]

stop that... you are making me worry that my SSCG might drown now!!!!

[nectarfizz.livejournal.com]

Booksellers/Media Librarians/Teachers Reading Groups About Us/FAQ

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The Original Curious George
by: H. A. Rey


ISBN-13/EAN: 9780395922729; $25.00
ISBN-10: 0395922720
Hardcover (RNF); 64 pages
Publication Date: 10/26/1998
Trim Size: 8.75 x 10.50
Carton Quantity: 34
Age Range: 5-8 years
Grade Range: Grades K-3




Subject(s):
JUVENILE FICTION: Animals - Apes & Monkeys


Description:
On June 14, 1940, Hans and Margret Rey fled Paris as the German army invaded the city. Escaping on bicycles, they took only winter coats and four picture books strapped to the racks. Among those books were the watercolors and a rough text for Fifi, later known to the world as Curious George. However, when Curious George was actually published in the United States in 1941, these original watercolors were not used for the printing. Hans Rey was required by his editor to redraw the entire book, creating preseparated art, so that costs would be minimal. The Reys retained the original art and would, on rare occasion, treat carefully chosen friends and collectors to George as he was first envisioned in Paris those many years ago. During their lifetimes they parted with only five pieces of the extraordinary art.

I read this in a review...so your correct he is a chimp.

[nectarfizz.livejournal.com]

Curious George is a Chimpanzee, thus an ape and not a monkey. He is just as distantly related to monkeys (cousins about 20 million years removed) as you are.