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Mr. Men #12
Mr. Small
They're back! Rediscover the zaniest characters you've ever met in this best-selling series which has sold millions worldwide. Bright and charming, with easily recognizable characters and a small take-along format, Mr. Men and Little Miss books are easy enough for young readers, witty enough for humor-prone adults, and highly collectible for one and all. Also check your local listings to view the Mr. Men & Little Miss TV show.
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Back to the Mr. Men & Little Miss microsite.
36 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1972
8 people are currently reading
311 people want to read
About the author
Roger Hargreaves
1,330 books368 followersRoger Hargreaves was a British cartoonist, illustrator and writer of children's books. He created the Mr. Men series, Little Miss series and Timbuctoo series, intended for young readers. The simple and humorous stories, with bold, brightly coloured illustrations, have sales of more than 85 million copies worldwide in 20 languages.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
July 26, 2009
mr small just wants a job. why wont anyone give him a job?? is it because he is so small?? he tried to get a job and he wound up covered in mustard. then he tried to get a job and ended up drowning in candy balls. then he tried to get a job but just got snatched up by boxes. and then there were eggs... someone give mr small a job already, it is becoming too hard for him.
June 6, 2018
Mr. Small needs a job. He is the size of a pin. What can someone so small do? I like that the author inserts himself at the end of this story. That was a nice little twist I didn't see coming. He is able to feel useful in this world.
My nephew is waning on these. He still enjoys them, but he is not as crazy about Mr. Men as he once was. He still wanted to read it.
There is a Mr. Robinson in this story, but his wife did not make an appearance.
My nephew is waning on these. He still enjoys them, but he is not as crazy about Mr. Men as he once was. He still wanted to read it.
There is a Mr. Robinson in this story, but his wife did not make an appearance.
September 8, 2021
This Mr. Men character is a real delight.
Poor little Mr Small just wants a job, but struggles to find anything suitable because of his little stature.
With the aid of his friend and neighbour Mr Robinson, the pair try and find the most suitable career for Mr. Small.
There's some really amusing scenes as Mr. Small inevitably gets stuck or trapped until he finds the perfect role.
Another enjoyable entry with a simple moral message that everyone has a certain skill to succeed.
Poor little Mr Small just wants a job, but struggles to find anything suitable because of his little stature.
With the aid of his friend and neighbour Mr Robinson, the pair try and find the most suitable career for Mr. Small.
There's some really amusing scenes as Mr. Small inevitably gets stuck or trapped until he finds the perfect role.
Another enjoyable entry with a simple moral message that everyone has a certain skill to succeed.
July 2, 2021
What can you do for a living when you’re the size of a pin? This is the question Mr. Small poses his neighbour, Mr. Robinson, when he decides he wants to start making a difference in society (or possibly to raise funds to pay his loan sharks; the book doesn’t specify).
This is probably my favourite of all the Mr. Men books. I mean, who can resist a chap who has half a pea, one crumb and a drop of lemonade for lunch? I actually made a clay sculpture of Mr. Small a few years ago and it’s only rereading this book now that I realise I have no idea what happened to it. The hunt begins…
My next book: Sea of Stars vol. 2: The People of the Broken Moon
This is probably my favourite of all the Mr. Men books. I mean, who can resist a chap who has half a pea, one crumb and a drop of lemonade for lunch? I actually made a clay sculpture of Mr. Small a few years ago and it’s only rereading this book now that I realise I have no idea what happened to it. The hunt begins…
My next book: Sea of Stars vol. 2: The People of the Broken Moon
December 10, 2017
Any Old Job Will Do
10 December 2017 - Adelaide
Another Mr Men book about somebody seemingly unemployable getting himself a job. Actually that seems to be one of the themes that permeates the world of Mr Men, being able to find a place in the world where one can actually make a difference, or even do something beneficial. In a way a job does give somebody a sense of purpose beyond a simple paycheck to take home every fortnight. Mind you, some people simply do not see past the money aspect of a job, and unfortunately that actually does taint what happens to be quite a number of honourable professions, not to mention that a lot of these people know the right things to say to the right people.
Well, I am currently sitting in a coffee shop on my way home, that is by plane, and I have managed to read all of the Mr Men books that I brought with me (though there are still quite a number sitting on my shelf at home, along side quite a number of other books that I want to add to my Goodreads read list). In a way it is back to work tomorrow, which sort of goes against some of the things that I have written above, but I guess that is the thing about work. When one gets their first job (or even a new job), one tends to be excited, but after about six months all of a sudden life sets in, and it starts becoming a bit of a drag – and then you wake up and suddenly you are having a mid-life crisis.
Anyway, back to Mr Small, because the thing that stands out with him is that he is willing to give the various jobs suggested to him a go, right up until he realises that he simply cannot do them. That is the thing with many of the people in our generation – we are entitled, and we believe we are entitled to well paying respectable jobs. This did not seem to be the attitude with Mr Small because he would give anything a go. This is an attitude that should be admired, and if you are not able to do a job then it is okay for you to look for something more within your skill set. The problem is that sometimes that simply is not possible.
The question is whether one should actually quit to look for another job. Well, that is quite a risk, though I have seen that happen often enough. I guess it depends on the job, on the employer, on the culture of the workplace, and also on your ability to be able to get another job. Some people just seem to have this gift at excelling at interviews, and some people will literally be willing to do anything (within reason of course). There are even people that can't work in the real world, but are willing to work just to have something to keep them busy every day.
In the end, the moral of this story is to be like Mr Small. Don't be a job snob and sit on the couch playing Playstation or watching Netflix while waiting for the perfect job to come along. Go out and get a job, and give it ago. Don't make excuses as to why you can't, because in the end those excuses are only going to affect you. Even if you can't do the job at least give it ago – you don't have to commit yourself for the rest of your life. As is the case with Mr Men, they went from job to job to job until they found one where they managed to fit, and sometimes that might take years – just don't give up.
10 December 2017 - Adelaide
Another Mr Men book about somebody seemingly unemployable getting himself a job. Actually that seems to be one of the themes that permeates the world of Mr Men, being able to find a place in the world where one can actually make a difference, or even do something beneficial. In a way a job does give somebody a sense of purpose beyond a simple paycheck to take home every fortnight. Mind you, some people simply do not see past the money aspect of a job, and unfortunately that actually does taint what happens to be quite a number of honourable professions, not to mention that a lot of these people know the right things to say to the right people.
Well, I am currently sitting in a coffee shop on my way home, that is by plane, and I have managed to read all of the Mr Men books that I brought with me (though there are still quite a number sitting on my shelf at home, along side quite a number of other books that I want to add to my Goodreads read list). In a way it is back to work tomorrow, which sort of goes against some of the things that I have written above, but I guess that is the thing about work. When one gets their first job (or even a new job), one tends to be excited, but after about six months all of a sudden life sets in, and it starts becoming a bit of a drag – and then you wake up and suddenly you are having a mid-life crisis.
Anyway, back to Mr Small, because the thing that stands out with him is that he is willing to give the various jobs suggested to him a go, right up until he realises that he simply cannot do them. That is the thing with many of the people in our generation – we are entitled, and we believe we are entitled to well paying respectable jobs. This did not seem to be the attitude with Mr Small because he would give anything a go. This is an attitude that should be admired, and if you are not able to do a job then it is okay for you to look for something more within your skill set. The problem is that sometimes that simply is not possible.
The question is whether one should actually quit to look for another job. Well, that is quite a risk, though I have seen that happen often enough. I guess it depends on the job, on the employer, on the culture of the workplace, and also on your ability to be able to get another job. Some people just seem to have this gift at excelling at interviews, and some people will literally be willing to do anything (within reason of course). There are even people that can't work in the real world, but are willing to work just to have something to keep them busy every day.
In the end, the moral of this story is to be like Mr Small. Don't be a job snob and sit on the couch playing Playstation or watching Netflix while waiting for the perfect job to come along. Go out and get a job, and give it ago. Don't make excuses as to why you can't, because in the end those excuses are only going to affect you. Even if you can't do the job at least give it ago – you don't have to commit yourself for the rest of your life. As is the case with Mr Men, they went from job to job to job until they found one where they managed to fit, and sometimes that might take years – just don't give up.
March 8, 2021
I didn't understand a word of this but neither did my cat! It was really good though!
Je n'ai pas compris un mot de cela mais mon chat non plus! C'était vraiment bien!
Je n'ai pas compris un mot de cela mais mon chat non plus! C'était vraiment bien!
July 23, 2018
I can't believe just how many books we bought by Roger Hargreaves. Well they where exceptionally good and perfect for reading time together. Well thumbed,much loved by my children and my grandchildren today. It goes without saying that I loved them too. Recommended.😇
December 19, 2022
Mr Small in this book is trying to find the perfect job for himself. This book from the Mr Men series was one of my favourite books my Mom and Dad used to read to me. I still have it and read by myself. It is a very colourful book. My favourite part is when Mr Small is trying all the jobs before finding the perfect one.
December 22, 2009
A tale in a Dickensian mould this time. Mr Small has to find work to survive, and ends up in a series of dead end, menial jobs. He seems exploited because of his size, and due to his small stature struggles to get along.
With only his close friend, Mr Robinson, for support he keeps working, looking for the right opportunity.
Then, just like Dickens, an unlikely benefactor appears from nowhere and provides the solution to all his problems.
With only his close friend, Mr Robinson, for support he keeps working, looking for the right opportunity.
Then, just like Dickens, an unlikely benefactor appears from nowhere and provides the solution to all his problems.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2015
I remember this as being my second favourite of all the Mr Men books. We had a few at home, but my oldest brother announced every now and then that they were all his and wouldn't let us read them. At 13 or so I don't think he was reading them himself so he didn't notice when I got hold of them again.
September 28, 2015
Ah, Mr Men and Little Miss, how wonderful you are!
These books made up so much of my childhood. No matter what I would go ahead and pick one up. I worked my way through them all a couple of times. Each one has a wonderful story for the child to engage with, each character being fun to read.
Everyone has a bias for their favourite character, yet every book is delightful.
These books made up so much of my childhood. No matter what I would go ahead and pick one up. I worked my way through them all a couple of times. Each one has a wonderful story for the child to engage with, each character being fun to read.
Everyone has a bias for their favourite character, yet every book is delightful.
February 26, 2008
I learned that there IS a job out there, just waiting for me.
December 15, 2015
Classic children's story & the first one read to my wife's belly for the little one :)
December 22, 2016
I did not like this book because I do not like being small. I also did not like this book because Mr. Small was very small.
August 8, 2017
Who wouldn't want to live at the bottom of a garden under a daisy?! This Mr Men book has one of the best side characters out of the series so far - Walter the talking worm!
March 14, 2024
Mr small may have the smallest head but the biggest heart
March 27, 2015
Think I’m right in stating that as a boy I had all the pre-1990 Mr Men books with the possible exception of “Mr Snow”. Looking at all the covers apart from the latter jogged my memory.
Sadly I remember little about the stories now, despite reading them numerous times during my boyhood, plus watching the Mr Men cartoons more than once.
Reckon the last time I would’ve read these was 1983, though may have returned to them as late as 1985. Although I’ve forgotten almost everything about this title and all the others I feel that owing to the amount of times I read each publication that they all deserve to be rated five stars.
I’m grateful to Roger Hargreaves for brightening up my childhood with both his Mr Men and the Timbuctoo series of books.
Sadly I remember little about the stories now, despite reading them numerous times during my boyhood, plus watching the Mr Men cartoons more than once.
Reckon the last time I would’ve read these was 1983, though may have returned to them as late as 1985. Although I’ve forgotten almost everything about this title and all the others I feel that owing to the amount of times I read each publication that they all deserve to be rated five stars.
I’m grateful to Roger Hargreaves for brightening up my childhood with both his Mr Men and the Timbuctoo series of books.
June 8, 2007
My favorite of the three Mr. Men books that I read on new year's day is Mr. Small because it brings together world of the Mr. Men and the human world. Mr. Small is probably the smallest of the Mr. Men and his size provides a unique series of challenges. Ultimately though Mr. Small's biggest problem is boredom. He wants something to do in his life and he decides the best way to do that is by getting a job.
It is through the job search the the two worlds collide. Mr. Small goes to work for a variety of human employers. Over and over again Mr. Small finds himself too small to perform physical labor. At last though the perfect job lands in his lap. What is it? Ask Roger.
It is through the job search the the two worlds collide. Mr. Small goes to work for a variety of human employers. Over and over again Mr. Small finds himself too small to perform physical labor. At last though the perfect job lands in his lap. What is it? Ask Roger.
August 18, 2013
I absolutely loved these Mr Men and Little Miss books. I remember getting them from my granny every week. There was so much from these simple characters, I remember filling my little bookshelf with all these books making sure I had got them all in right order. I wish I still had these books but somehow most of them got lost with many house moves or my mum gave the rest away. If I ever have kids, I will make sure they get the chance to experience these wonderful, colourful books.
July 10, 2013
Dude & I read this last night and I enjoyed it. Mr Small wants a job but he's tiny and finds that most things he's sent along to try out just don't work. But then, in a wonderful meta-fictional touch, he gets introduced to a writer of children's books.
I think I enjoyed it more than Dude did, as he kept pointing out the repeats of "Mr Small" and the lack of punctuation!
I think I enjoyed it more than Dude did, as he kept pointing out the repeats of "Mr Small" and the lack of punctuation!
October 8, 2013
Students (especially little ones - ones who have been little throughout their early grade school years) will love this book and make a personal connection with M. Petit (the French version) who needs to find work and self-affirmation. Cool little book for kids.
Read
June 6, 2014I read this to my nephew a few months ago but forgot to note that as a 'read'. It was short and sweet and my nephew loved it (as well as identifying all the other Mr Men on the back cover afterwards)!
March 20, 2008
This looks like a 3 star book! This book was published 10 days before my birthday!! I womder what type of problem Mr Small will have!
April 23, 2008
Fun read-aloud series - with a moral.
September 28, 2009
Life's not much fun when you're small. Mr. Small manages to find a way to improve his lot.
February 13, 2011
Tate's favorite of all the Mr. Men books!
January 9, 2013
I liked it a lot! Very good book. Nice little read :-)
June 27, 2013
Poor Mr. Small but I'm so happy for him, and yes Mr. Writer, I like this story a lot ^_^
October 13, 2013
Aryana loved the ending which was essentially breaking the fourth wall!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews