George Shrinks

by William Joyce

Taking care of a cat and a baby brother turns into a series of comic adventures when George wakes up to find himself shrunk to the size of a mouse.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction, Adventure, Humor, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

William Joyce does a lot of stuff—films, apps, Olympic curling—but children’s books are his true bailiwick (The Numberlys, The Man in the Moon, Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King, Toothiana, and the #1 New York Times bestselling The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, which is also an Academy Award–winning short film, to name a few). He lives with his family in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

George wakes up one morning and he’s very small. His parents left him a note on what to do while they’re not there. He does all his chores small. He has a great imagination to be able to find ways to do them all. The best one was when he was riding his baby brother around. The nephew laughed and laughed at that.

This has great ideas, but it doesn’t feel like William Joyce’s best work. It’s not bad, I just felt like it didn’t have the William sparkle I’m so used to. It’s still a cute book and worth a read.

The nephew thought this was a wonderful idea. He said, “if this happened to me, I would go and live in Mr. Potato head. I could close his butt and that would be my room.” He has it all planned out already. He would put the lego person of Ron and Harry in there with him as pals. He thought this was cool, so he gave it 4 stars.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

George dreams of being very small, and wakes up to find that his dream has become reality in this entertaining picture-book romp from author/illustrator William Joyce. Following the instructions in the note his parents have left for him, George cleans his room and cares for his younger brother. He also runs into a little trouble with the family cat, who seems to have mistaken him for a mouse...

George Shrinks is the eighth picture-book I have read from Joyce, and while it certainly has some of his trademark touches - the fantastic story-line, for one - it is also distinctive, in that the text is quite simple, with no more than a few words per page. This is quite different from titles like The Man in the Moon or Santa Calls , which feature more extensive text. The story itself is engaging, and the simplicity of the narrative makes it suitable for a younger picture-book audience. The artwork, done in watercolor, is humorous and appealing. The scene in which George and his little brother startle the cat certainly won a chuckle. Recommended to anyone looking for engaging adventure stories for younger children, especially if those children enjoy tales about little people.

[Sharon Barrow Wilfong · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little boy George wakes up to find that he has shrunk to a couple of inches.

Nevertheless he valiantly accomplishes all the chores his parents have left him to do on a note they have left him while he's out.

The illustrations are wonderful. Great book!

[Amy Seto · Rating 5 out of 5]

One day George dreams that he’s shrunk and when he wakes up his dream has come true! His parents are gone for the morning, so they leave him a list of things to do with his younger brother. Now that he’s barely 6 inches high, George has to get creative to complete his chores. George is having a terrific game of cat and mouse with an actual cat when his parents come home. Just as his parents walk into the room, George finds he’s become his regular size again, just in time.

The brief text is made up of the letter George’s parents leave for him. In fact, there are a few pages that are completely wordless. The illustrations are detailed and tell a story of their own beyond the text. George has a rampant imagination that allows him to have adventures while completing his chores. For instance, he washes the dishes by sledding on a soapy sponge.

Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

George dreams he is the size of a mouse, then wakes up to discover his dream has come true. There is no underlying theme in this picture book, but George has totally fun adventures that kids are sure to enjoy. What I love most about William Joyce's picture books is the movie-like quality with which the story unfolds before your eyes. Though this is an early work from him, the illustrations are the same wonderful quality you expect from this creator.

[Jessica Nieman · Rating 5 out of 5]

George Shrinks is a story about a young boy who wakes up extremely tiny one morning. The story walks the reader through the day of George as a tiny person. I think the illustrations are wonderful because they add detail and humor to what the text has to say. The pictures also add to the theme of perspective by showing the world through George's eyes. This book would be appropriate for younger grade levels, possibly Kindergarten or first grade, because the text is short and easy to read. The students could use this book for several different extension activities, including drawing a picture of what they would like to do if they woke up tiny one day.

[Yvonne O'Connor · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a DCFS instruction book. The parents leave their young son and his BABY brother at home with a note instructing the kid in the seven million things he is supposed to do before they return. There is no explanation as to why he wakes up as if he is Thumbellina either. If it is ALL a dream, including the note, that’s even worse as it means he believes his parents would do this to him. What the heck were Scholastic Book editors smoking in 1985?

[Stephanie Sykes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a great book for little kids. This book is an easy read and short. This book is good for boys and girls because the book doesn't target just one gender. George has a dream that he was tiny and when he woke up he was actually tiny. He finds a note from his parents. The note tells him the chores he should do before his parents get home. When his parents get home he becomes his normal size.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

a great concept but poorly illustrated in this text,..

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how the cover copy for this one is just "george shrinks", and it's totally accurate.

I think I like the tv show better? Heretic, I know, I'm sorry.

[Michelle Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really excited to find out one of my favorite children's shows from my childhood was based on a book. A cute read.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

George has a lot to do. His parents left him a long list of his chores and expectations. But, he wakes up very small and instead of mundane, every task is an adventure. I liked this book for teaching perspective. Big and little. Boring or fun. It is all about perspective.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

George dreams that he shrinks and wakes up to find it is true. His parents have gone out and left him a list of normal chores to do, but given George's new size, the ordinary chores become grand adventures from his new perspective.

It's fun to revisit childhood reads and see if they've changed from an adult perspective. This one is just as fun now as it was when I was in elementary school. It's a picture book that exemplifies the way words and illustrations work together to make the story that much more humorous and enjoyable. The words themselves sound very ordinary but juxtaposed with the illustrations and situation they take on a different tone. George attacks his chores with such gusto and a good attitude despite his small size. (Ask kids if they can find a way to look at their chores in a different way and have fun with them.) And then there's the ending which will have readers debating whether George was ever tiny or just dreamed his adventures. A fun and humorous book that's a quick read and has illustrations you can stare at for several minutes without fully getting everything in them.

[Ardea Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title / Author / Publication Date: George Shrinks/William Joyce/2003

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy

Format: Hardcover

Plot summary: Only three inches tall, he can ski down mountains of dishes, swim with goldfish, and take rides in his new toy airplane. But taking care of his giant baby brother and brushing his teeth can be real challenges for the mouse-sized George.

Considerations or precautions for readers advisory: N/A

Review citation: Dooley, P. (1985). George shrinks (Book Review). School Library Journal, 32156.

Section source used to find the material: Children's Core Collection, Most Highly Recommended

Recommended age: K-3

[Nicola · Rating 2 out of 5]

Miss 3 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

It's fun seeing George magically (and imaginatively) become small - which makes looking after his little brother and doing chores more interesting.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a reprint of Joyce's book about a little boy who wakes up to find he is tiny. The reader follows him as he goes about his day, trying to accomplish the list of chores left to him in a note by his parents. The illustrations tell the story completely and perfectly, and are as entertaining and kid friendly as the day the book was first published in 1985. The endpapers show George's footprints as he changes size. This is an essential title for any children's collection.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I believe that this is one of those books that never would have been made if Willam Joyce hadn't done it. The story is so simple that it has great difficulty in filling 34 pages. Complete sentences are broken up so that only a word or two appears on a page, and even with that there are nine pages without written story. Fortunately, the artwork keeps the youngster entertained.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 3 out of 5]

[Zihao Zhang · Rating 5 out of 5]

The picture of the story is full of imagination, very awesome. The word is relatively simpler than the pictures. I like the pictures, however I feel kids who is just ready to read the words may not enjoy the picture than much.

[Engel Dreizehn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations as always from Joyce and fun to examine how tiny George adapts to being small while doing his duty to finish the chores...he won't let size hinder him and very much he'll have fun while adapting.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a favorite with my children. A book of few words and detailed illustrations allows for a lot of imagination. My children also enjoyed the creative approach to chores, always helpful in the battle to raise responsible children!

[Maeve · Rating 3 out of 5]

George wakes up one morning and realizes that he is only 3 inches tall! He spends the day doing mundane tasks that are extraordinary because of his size.

[Kaethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title kind of gives the whole thing away, but that's okay, 'cause Joyce's art is to die for.

Library copy.

[Emelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read to Julia and Jack.

[Melissa Namba · Rating 3 out of 5]

an imaginative book about a shrunken little boy trying to follow his parents directions.

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have loved this book as a kid.

[Mosley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another book from my childhood that I just had to share with my child. The story of a little boy who shrinks will take your imagination to so many fun places.

[Rani · Rating 4 out of 5]

When George #shrinks the world looks very #different. #Adventure #humor #boys #Engaging

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a light-hearted, random story about a boy named George who wakes up to find he has shrunk. Great illustrations.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever - a SMART program book read in 2017