George Shrinks

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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that there's no violence in this show, the food is organically grown in the garden, and the children mind their parents. Parents may find the "perfect" lifestyle of the central family a teensy bit annoying, but young children will feel safe and at ease visiting this fictional world. Characters don't squabble or act defiantly. Good behavior is pretty much the norm.
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What's the Story?
GEORGE SHRINKS is an animated rendition of William Joyce's children's story. As George grows from the page, viewers follow this Tom Thumb who sees the world from his tiny perspective. Luckily, George's father, Mr. Shrinks, is a composer/caregiver/breadwinner and, most important, an inventor. He equips George with a variety of cool gadgets that give him an advantage in his world.
Is It Any Good?
George's mom is a stay-at-home figure who would put Martha Stewart to shame. She seems to be forever making organic pumpkin spice muffins and taking the garden aphids to task with her fleet of organic gardening tools. And George's baby brother, Jr., simply idolizes George. Needless to say, the Shrinks live a very politically correct lifestyle that insulates their two children from the world.
George and his friend Becky are often found solving problems in the garden or in the town square. Generally George makes use of his gadgets and vehicles to find the source of the conundrum -- by and large his adventures aren't too far out.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the different elements in the characters' household. Do your kids know what organic foods are? Are they interested in gardening? What are some things around your house that might help George maneuver around or get out of trouble?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 30, 2000
- Cast: Kathleen Laskey, Paul O'Sullivan, Tracey Moore
- Network: PBS
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Book Characters
- TV rating: TV-Y
- Last updated: February 28, 2022
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