Author & Adapter Profile
Alan J. Shalleck
15 Books
Alan J. Shalleck was a writer and director who helped bring the beloved monkey Curious George to the television screen. He co-wrote numerous Curious George adventures alongside Margret Rey, expanding the classic character's world for a new generation of readers.
Have you ever seen a big, rumbling dump truck? Curious George certainly has, and he just can't resist taking a closer look! George is full of questions, and when he hops into the driver's seat, he learns that even one little lever can cause a very big splash... or in this case, a mountain of sand!
Oh no, what a mess! But don't worry, our favorite monkey is not just curious, he's clever too. When a surprising problem pops up, George uses his quick thinking and special monkey ingenuity to turn a big mishap into a chance to save the day. Join George on this exciting adventure filled with trucks, sand, and plenty of laughs!
6-8 Years
24 Pages
A picnic on the hiking trail is the perfect place for George to notice every rustle, tree, and interesting path. But when his curiosity pulls him away from the group, the food is soon missing, and the outing becomes much more complicated than anyone planned.
Young readers can follow George through a simple outdoor adventure filled with gentle suspense, visual humor, and the familiar warmth of the Curious George series. The story is especially inviting for children moving into early readers: the action is easy to follow, the stakes feel just right, and George’s mistake becomes a chance to think about paying attention, staying together, and finding your way when plans go wrong.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
The baseball game is moving along just fine until George starts wondering how everything works. Bases, bats, balls, and a busy field are too interesting for one curious monkey to watch from the sidelines for long.
This lively Curious George story turns a familiar sport into a funny lesson in curiosity, timing, and unintended trouble. Readers ages 6 to 8 will enjoy the clear action and playful mix-ups as George’s good intentions interrupt the game in surprising ways. With its simple plot, classic illustrations, and sports setting, the book is a friendly pick for early readers who like baseball, animal characters, and stories where a small mistake can make a very big scene.
6-8 Years
30 Pages
A laundromat is supposed to be a place for clean clothes, not mountains of bubbles. But when George arrives and begins exploring the machines, buttons, and soap, one ordinary errand turns into a slippery, sudsy mess.
This short Curious George adventure gives young readers exactly the kind of trouble they expect from the famous little monkey: harmless chaos, quick pacing, and plenty to look at on every page. Children ages 6 to 8 can follow the cause and effect of George’s curiosity as a simple visit grows bigger and funnier by the minute. It is a cheerful early-reader choice for kids who enjoy everyday settings turned upside down by one very curious animal.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
George’s trip to the ballet begins with music, costumes, and dancers moving gracefully across the stage. Sitting still, however, is not easy when every leap and twirl makes him want to see more.
Curious George at the Ballet brings classic George humor into the world of performance. Young readers get an approachable introduction to the excitement of a theater visit while watching George’s curiosity interfere with a carefully planned show. The story is light, funny, and easy to follow, with just enough commotion to keep ages 6 to 8 turning pages. It works well for children who like dance, stage performances, and picture-book adventures where one small monkey can accidentally change the whole production.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
An amusement park is packed with lights, rides, crowds, and little jobs that look far too interesting to ignore. George is ready for fun, but when he wanders into the ticket booth, his helpful curiosity quickly creates confusion for everyone around him.
This energetic Curious George story captures the excitement of a day at the park while keeping the action simple enough for younger readers. Children ages 6 to 8 can follow George from playful mischief to a real problem involving a lost purse, all without the story feeling too big or frightening. With its busy setting, gentle humor, and classic monkey trouble, it is a strong early-reader pick for kids who love outings, crowds, and funny surprises.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
A toothache sends the man with the yellow hat to the dentist, and George comes along to wait. But a dentist’s office is full of interesting chairs, tools, buttons, and rooms, and George has never been good at staying put.
Curious George Goes to the Dentist turns a nervous real-life situation into a gentle, funny story for young readers. As George pokes around where he probably should not, children see both the silliness of his curiosity and the worry another child feels about the dentist’s chair. The book is especially useful for ages 6 to 8 who like familiar characters in everyday places, with enough humor to make a dental visit feel less mysterious without turning it into a lesson.
6-8 Years
30 Pages
Open house at school should be a proud day, especially in the art room. George gets a chance to paint, but his curiosity and excitement lead to a mistake that could spoil the big event.
This school-based Curious George adventure mixes art, classroom life, and gentle mystery in a way that feels just right for ages 6 to 8. Young readers can follow George as a messy moment becomes part of a larger problem involving a missing painting. The story keeps its focus on funny action and clever observation rather than scolding, making it appealing for children who understand how easy it is to get carried away. It is a warm early-reader choice for school, art, and classic character collections.
6-8 Years
38 Pages
Hold onto your hats, because George is heading to the police station! What starts out as a simple day in town quickly turns into a whirlwind adventure when George's famous curiosity takes over. Finding himself inside the bustling local police headquarters, he is completely mesmerized by the busy officers, the ringing telephones, and the fascinating equipment. Of course, a little monkey cannot just sit quietly on a bench. He begins to explore the station, pressing buttons and investigating rooms, which leads to a hilariously chaotic mix-up. As the officers try to restore order to their station, George has to figure out how to make things right. You will love seeing the inner workings of a police station through the eyes of the world's most mischievous primate. This funny, fast-paced story delivers plenty of laughs and perfectly shows how George always manages to turn an ordinary day into a wildly unforgettable event.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
A museum field trip gets a lot more exciting once George sees the dinosaur skeleton. The towering bones are meant to be admired from the floor, but for a curious monkey, the exhibit looks like something to climb, explore, and understand up close.
Curious George and the Dinosaur gives young readers a funny, high-interest museum adventure with a clear setup and plenty of motion. Ages 6 to 8 will enjoy the mix of dinosaurs, school-trip energy, and George’s familiar habit of turning a quiet outing into a memorable scene. The story works especially well for children who like fossils, museums, and animal characters, while keeping the trouble light enough for a comfortable early-reader experience.
6-8 Years
33 Pages
The zoo is filled with roaring lions, splashing seals, and amazing animals from all over the world. When George and the man with the yellow hat arrive for a visit, George is eager to see everything. But his stomach is grumbling, and he is very, very hungry.
When he spots a zookeeper carrying a giant pail of bright yellow bananas, George simply cannot resist. He sneaks over and snatches the delicious snack! The zookeeper is furious, and George suddenly realizes he is in big trouble. But just as the shouting begins, George notices a problem in the zoo that no one else has seen.
This exciting trip to the animal park turns into a wild rescue mission. See how George manages to change the angry zookeeper's shouts into loud cheers by using his quick monkey reflexes and endless curiosity to help the animals when they need it most.
6-8 Years
30 Pages
A quiet fishing trip does not stay quiet once George decides he wants to help. The pole, the line, the water, and the waiting fish all catch his attention, and his curiosity soon makes the fisherman’s day much more eventful.
This Curious George story uses a simple outdoor setting to create quick, funny cause-and-effect action for early readers. Children ages 6 to 8 can enjoy George’s eagerness to catch a fish while noticing how good intentions can still lead to a mess. With its gentle pace, familiar character, and nature setting, the book is a good fit for young readers who like animals, fishing, and humorous adventures that turn an ordinary outing into a memorable problem.
6-8 Years
27 Pages
Snowy hills are hard for George to resist. A sled, a slope, and a crowd of children are all it takes for his curiosity to send him racing into a winter adventure faster than anyone expects.
Curious George Goes Sledding gives ages 6 to 8 a brisk, playful story filled with movement, snow, and classic George mischief. The action is easy to picture, making it a welcoming choice for early readers who enjoy outdoor adventures and winter fun. As George gets swept into the excitement of sled riding, the story builds toward a moment when his boldness may matter in an unexpected way. It is a cheerful pick for children who like funny animal stories with a little speed and a lot of energy.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
The circus is full of movement, music, and performers who know exactly what they are doing. George, of course, notices the acrobats first, and his curiosity soon puts him much closer to the act than he was supposed to be.
Curious George Goes to the Circus brings the series’ familiar humor into a bright performance setting. Young readers can enjoy the fun of a show while watching George’s accidental interruption turn into a very lively scene. The story is simple, visual, and energetic, making it a strong fit for ages 6 to 8 who are building confidence with picture-book adventures and early readers. It is especially appealing for children who like animals, stage excitement, and gentle comic chaos.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
At the aquarium, George is surrounded by tanks, fish, and seals that are much too interesting to watch quietly. When he decides he wants a closer look, his visit quickly splashes into the kind of trouble only George can create.
Curious George Goes to the Aquarium is a lively animal adventure for ages 6 to 8, built around curiosity, movement, and a wonderfully messy setting. Young readers can follow George from watching the seals to becoming part of the action, with plenty of humor along the way. The story is clear and engaging without being complicated, making it a good choice for children who enjoy ocean animals, funny picture books, and familiar characters who turn ordinary outings into big adventures.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
