Curious George Flies a Kite – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Curious George Flies a Kite

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book1958

89%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

George gets high on a kite (literally) and needs a helicopter rescue in this OG beginner reader.

Curious George Flies a Kite

book

1958

89%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

George gets high on a kite (literally) and needs a helicopter rescue in this OG beginner reader.

4.8

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Screenwise Verdict

Curious George Flies a Kite is a foundational piece of kid-lit that actually holds up. Unlike some 1950s books that feel like dusty museum pieces, George’s brand of chaos is timeless because kids are still chaotic.

It was designed as a 'Beginning Reader,' meaning the sentences are short and the words are simple. It’s not high drama, but for a kid who just figured out how to string 'the' and 'monkey' together, it’s a thriller.

It’s safe, it’s sweet, and it’s a much better use of 15 minutes than a mindless YouTube toy unboxing video. It’s a solid win for the bookshelf.

Age Fit

Ideal for the 3-to-7 crowd. It’s a perfect read-aloud for preschoolers and a confidence-booster for first graders learning to decode words. By age 8, they’ll probably find the 'Look at George' sentences too babyish.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It’s the gold standard of 'innocent trouble.' George isn't malicious; he's just a monkey with zero impulse control. The relationship with the Man with the Yellow Hat is patient and supportive, even when George is literally drifting into the stratosphere.

Imaginative

The book taps into classic childhood wonder—rabbits, kites, and the fantasy of flight. It encourages curiosity about how things work (and what happens when they work too well).

Safe

It’s a 1958 picture book. Unless your child has access to a professional-grade kite and a stiff gale, there are no safety risks. No hidden agendas, no scary themes, just a monkey and some wind.

Enriching

Specifically written with a controlled vocabulary for beginning readers. It’s a functional tool for literacy that doesn't feel like a chore, teaching cause-and-effect through George's mishaps.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Perfect for 'I can read it myself' moments due to the simple, repetitive vocabulary.
The stakes are high enough to be exciting (flying away!) but resolved safely.
Classic H.A. Rey illustrations that still look vibrant and charming seventy years later.
Teaches basic problem-solving and the reality that actions have consequences.

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What to Watch For

The 'See George go' writing style is great for learners but can be a bit mind-numbing for parents reading it for the 50th time.
George’s 'curiosity' is essentially a total lack of supervision; don't expect a lecture on safety rules here.

Conversation Starters

"Why did George let go of the bunny? Do you think he felt bad?"
"What would you do if you started floating away on a kite string?"
"Is the Man with the Yellow Hat a good friend to George? Why or why not?"
"If you could fly a helicopter to save a monkey, where would you go?"

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