George Shrinks


George Shrinks is a 2000-2003 Canadian–Chinese children's animated television series. It is based on the children's book by William Joyce, produced in China by Jade Animation and Canadian studio Nelvana, in association with Public Broadcasting Service. It tells the story of a ten-year-old boy named George who, one night dreams that he is three inches tall, only to wake up and discover that it is true. The show details his adventures with his friends and family going through his adventures on his mini machines that George and his musical father have created.
The series started on September 9, 2000, on PBS Kids, and then aired as part of PBS Kids Bookworm Bunch. The Bookworm Bunch disbanded in 2004, but George Shrinks was given an individual PBS debut on January 6, 2003, along with The Berenstain Bears and Maurice Sendak's Seven Little Monsters. Reruns continued to air on PBS Kids until August 30, 2009.

Content

George's tiny size turns mundane activities, such as working around the house or playing outside, into dramatic adventures. His primary mode of transportation is his Zoopercar, a multi-purpose miniature vehicle he built with his father that can do things like transform into a submarine or a helicopter. George often has interesting encounters with animals who, although they do not talk, seem to be able to communicate with George throughout the series. On one occasion, he encountered a robotic alien that was his own size and helped it get back home.
The show affects a retro-1950s look, with simple animation and colours. Primarily jazz is used for background music, reflecting both his father's occupation as a musician who tinkers with inventing new musical instruments and his mother's style as an avant-garde artist. However, statements made in the characters' dialogue imply that events take place in the present, or the year that the showing episode was produced and filmed.
The theme song, composed by Roberto Occhipinti, in a jumping blues style, is sung by Canadian musician Colin James.
One main difference from the book and the series is that in the book, George turns back to normal size by the end-his small stature lasting only a day while his parents are out. In the series, George appears to be permanently small with no explanation, appearing big in one episode.

Characters

Main

Series overview

Season 1 (2000)

Season 2 (2001)

Season 3 (2003)

Home media

DVD titleEpisode countRelease dateEpisodes
George Shrinks: Down the Drain3February 28, 2006"Coach Shrinks", "In the Duck Soup", and "The Lost World of George Shrinks"
George Shrinks: Ghost Grabber Machine3May 9, 2006"Ghost of Shrinks Manor", "All Along the Clock Tower", and "Journey to the Center of the Garden"
George Shrinks: George Vs Space Invaders2May 9, 2006"George vs Space Invaders", and "Close Encounters of the Bird Kind"
George Shrinks: Speed Shrinks3May 9, 2006"Speed Shrinks", "Hound of the Bath-Ervilles", and "George-Lo-Phone"
George Shrinks: King Kongo2May 9, 2006"King Kongo", and "Ants in the Pantry"
George Shrinks: Toy George3May 9, 2006"Toy George", "Dog-Sitting Miss Daisy", and "Down on the Bayou"
George Shrinks: Snowman's Land2November 10, 2009"Snowman's Land", and "From Bad to Worse"
George Shrinks: Zoopercar Caper2January 26, 2010"Zoopercar Caper", and "If If Ain't Broke"
George Shrinks: Sunken Treasures2March 9, 2010"Sunken Treasres", and "Can We Keep Him?"
George Shrinks: The Lost World of George Shrinks4"If I Ran the Circus", "Becky in Wonderland", "Toy George" and "Lost and Found Art"

Treehouse Direct also released the series on YouTube.