04/28/2021
I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support. The Curious George Store meant everything to me and I'm so grateful that you shared it with me. In case you haven't seen my letter to you all on the website, I thought I'd also post it here:
Dear Curious Community –
I write this last letter with great sadness but also great hope in my heart. Today we say goodbye to The Curious George Store forever. I cannot quantify the grief that’s consumed me this past year as I have struggled to hold onto and breathe life into this entity that I love with every cell in my body. The Curious George Store has been a place of unbelievable light and love for me – for so many of us – and for that, I am eternally grateful. I am so incredibly blessed to have been a part of the legacy of curiosity, acceptance, and love that Margaret and H.A. Rey left for us. In the face of N**i hatred and persecution, the Reys overcame fear and adversity and created the embodiment of love and belonging; This is George. He’s a good little monkey and always very curious….
And that brings me to the hope. Curious George and The Curious George Store have brought happiness and joy into all our lives and, in that, we have found connection, commonality and community with George and each other. Because of this, we are now equipped to individually and collectively, bring the same to others. This is the Reys’ legacy. This is George.
So, I bid you all farewell as we move on to carry our own version of George and The Curious George Store Community forward into this world that so desperately needs it. I wish you all love, light, happiness, and joy as you do so. And above all, stay curious!
With all my love,
Astra
