Curious George Goes to the Hospital facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | H. A. Rey Margret Rey |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Curious George |
| Genre | Children's literature |
| Publisher | Houghton Mifflin |
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Publication date
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1966 |
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| Preceded by | Curious George Learns the Alphabet |
Curious George Goes to the Hospital is a popular children's book. It was written and illustrated by Margret Rey and H. A. Rey. The book was published by Houghton Mifflin in 1966. This story is the seventh and last book in the first Curious George series. It shares George's adventures and experiences when he has to go to the hospital. He ends up there after accidentally swallowing a piece from a jigsaw puzzle.
The idea for this book came from people working at the Boston Children's Hospital. They asked the Reys, who lived in Cambridge, for help. They wanted a story that could help children feel less scared about going to the hospital.
Contents
George's Hospital Adventure
A Missing Puzzle Piece
One morning, George wakes up and finds a box on the desk. It says "surprise" on it. Inside is a jigsaw puzzle. George opens the box and takes out a puzzle piece. He thinks it looks like a piece of candy, so he swallows it!
Later, the Man with the Yellow Hat comes home. He tells George that the puzzle is a gift for him. They start putting the puzzle together. But then they notice that the very last piece is missing. They look everywhere but cannot find it. So, they decide to go to bed.
A Tummy Ache and a Doctor's Visit
The next morning, George has a bad stomachache. He cannot even eat his breakfast. The Man with the Yellow Hat gets worried. He calls Dr. Baker right away.
The doctor tries to figure out what is wrong. But he cannot find the problem. So, he suggests that George should go to the hospital.
At the Hospital
At the hospital, the Man with the Yellow Hat tries to make George feel better. He reminds George that he has been to the hospital before. That was when he broke his leg, like in a previous story.
A nurse gives George a special drink called a barium meal. Then, George is taken down a long hallway to the x-ray room. There, he gets a special apron put on him.
The X-Ray Reveals the Secret
After the x-ray, the picture shows something surprising. The missing puzzle piece is stuck in George's stomach! The Man with the Yellow Hat suddenly understands. George must have swallowed the piece the night before. That is why it was missing, and why George had a tummy ache.
The doctor tells George that he needs a small operation to remove the piece. He will have to stay at the hospital for a few days. The doctor explains that they will use a tube to take the puzzle piece out.
Making New Friends
Later, George waits in a special room. He meets a girl named Betsy and her mother. Betsy is scared because it is her first time in a hospital. George also meets a nurse named Carol. Nurse Carol takes George to the children's ward. There, they check George's temperature and blood pressure. He is given a pill and a shot to help him sleep. Then, he is wheeled into surgery.
After his operation, George feels sleepy. He does not want to read a new book that his friend brings him. He just wants to go back to sleep.
A Wild Ride and Laughter
On the third day, George wakes up feeling much better. He goes to the kids' play area. He even puts on a puppet show for everyone. Later, he sees a boy with a cast on his leg trying to walk.
When no one is looking, George hops into the boy's wheelchair. He races down the hospital corridors! The nurse notices, but George is already heading down a steep ramp. It leads to the hospital cafeteria.
In the cafeteria, some workers are pushing food carts. The mayor is also being shown around the hospital. George crashes into the food carts! He lands right in the mayor's arms. Food spills everywhere, and the wheelchair and dishes break.
The kids who saw the accident start to laugh. Betsy is the first one to giggle. Soon, everyone is laughing, except George. He starts to cry, thinking he will be punished. But Betsy comforts him. She tells him that he cheered her up. The adults agree that George is not in trouble. He made Betsy feel happy and not afraid anymore.
Going Home
Soon, the Man with the Yellow Hat arrives to take George home. Everyone waves goodbye to George. They remind him to take care of himself.
Before they leave, Nurse Carol gives George a present. When they get home, George opens it. It is the puzzle piece he swallowed! He is so happy that the doctor and nurse saved it for him. Now, he can finally finish the puzzle. He and the Man place the last missing piece in the center. The completed puzzle shows a picture of George on the grass in the jungle. The Man's yellow hat is in front of him.
