Louise Borden will tell the story of how the most famous monkey in children’s literature was spirited away from Nazi-occupied Europe at the next University of Southern Mississippi University Forum.

Borden, the author of “The Journey That Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H. A. Rey,” will speak at 6:30 p.m. March 31 at Bennett Auditorium on the university’s Hattiesburg campus. Admission is free. A reception will follow in the rotunda of the Aubrey K. Lucas Administration Building.

Borden will also share her experiences as a writer of children’s literature and discuss her other works, which include 25 titles and three in production. She is also scheduled to give the second annual de Grummond Lecture April 1 at 4 p.m. at this year’s Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival, to be held at the university’s Thad Cochran Center.

The Reys escaped France in 1940 via bicycle to Portugal, carrying the illustrations of Curious George on their backs. Borden will discuss how she retraced their route in the escape and her research on their work at the university’s de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, which is considered to have the largest repository of Curious George materials in the world.

Ellen Ruffin, curator of the de Grummond Collection, said Borden learned of the Reys escape from the Nazis after reading a story about it in a magazine, and wanted to learn more. She contacted Dr. Laylee Ong, executor of the Rey’s estate, who directed her to Southern Miss and the collection for additional information.

Ruffin said Borden gave a presentation on her book and how she relied on the de Grummond Collection for her research at last year’s American Library Association Convention in Anaheim, Calif.

“Her work reminds us of how fortunate we are to have this very special collection of one of the icons of children’s literature,” Ruffin said.

When the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection was founded in 1966, the Reys were among its earliest contributors. Featured on the cover of the exhibit catalog is a drawing of Curious George bringing his books and pictures to Hattiesburg. H. A. Rey drew this illustration on the letter to Lena Y. de Grummond telling her of his intention to send the collection some of his original work.

More materials were added over the years and in 1996, upon the death of Margret, the remaining literary estate was given to the collection.

Borden’s works include “A. Lincoln and Me;” “Off to First Grade;” “The Last Day of School;” and “Touching the Sky: The Flying Adventures of Wilbur and Orville Wright,” among others. She has won numerous awards, including a Christopher Award in 2000 for “Good Luck, Mrs. K.”

In 2008, Borden appeared in a documentary that aired on the Weather Channel and has been featured in the New York Times, USA Today, the BBC and on National Public Radio

Her University Forum presentation is sponsored by the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection; the Southern Miss Honors College; the Hattiesburg Arts Council; and the Temple B'Nai Israel Sisterhood.

“The Honors College is proud to partner with colleagues across campus and beyond in bringing Louise Borden in for University Forum,” said Honors College Dean Dr. David R. Davies, “Her fascinating work in history and in children's literature will strike a chord both with students and the general public.”

For more information about Borden’s presentation or the University Forum series, call the Southern Miss Honors College at 601.266.4533 or the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection at 601-266-4349. For more information about the Children’s Book Festival, on the Internet visit www.usm.edu/~bookfest/

Click to enlarge

About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive doctoral and research-extensive university fulfilling its mission of being a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities.  In a tradition of leadership for student development, Southern Miss is educating a 21st century work force providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment and innovation to Mississippi and the world.  Southern Miss is located in Hattiesburg, Miss., with an additional campus and teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; further information is found at www.usm.edu.