The Borrowers

I recently read this classic aloud to my six year old twins. At first I wondered whether it'd be too much of a stretch because of the sometimes old-fashioned and British English. I was wrong. They adored the story of Arietty and her adventures. They talked about when we weren't reading. I ended up buying the set with the sequels.

I had never before attempted to read The Borrowers simply because I thought it might be this clichéd childrens book. But what got me started in this series was the movie Arrietty. This book tells the tale of a small family of Borrowers called the Clocks who fall on not so great times following the emigration of their relatives - the Harpsichord and the Overmantles. They sometimes refer to humans as beans and thunk that the big people live for the benefit of the little people. This perception is shattered when Arrietty strikes a friendship with a human boy, a temporary resident. It also leads to an interesting adventure for Arrietty. The storyline was smooth and well thought out except the ending...it seemed a little hurried with a nice cliffhanger.

Not five minutes ago I saw "The Borrowers" listed under the kindle Feb. releases and I hit the one click button fast. This beautiful book was one of the first books I read as a child. Our elementary school had a library and each child was expected to take out and read a book every week (on Friday afternoon no less). When I found this book, I found my passion, my imagination soared and I fell head over heals in love with reading. I was about 8 and a very active child, running and playing and loving the outdoors. But this book stopped me in my tracks. For days I ran to my bedroom and tucked myself up with it while my family watched TV. When I got older and was planning for my children I began looking for the book and couldn't find it. I am thrilled to be able to place it in my digital library. Reading has taken a back-seat to video. I've learned from experience that this is not good for our young people. Creative thinking is developed through use of the imagination. Our children need to be able to think creatively if they are to develop the skills to lead us in the future. Books like this help them along the way."The Borrowers," is fun, full of fantasy, and an easy read. Curl up in a chair and have your little one join you to read with a lot of fun and laughter along the way. The benefits for everyone are golden.

I remember reading about the little people when I was a child. I loved all the stories about them and the ingenious ways they used what they found. I remember a movie about them. I have yet to find it. Revisiting a fond memory!

This is a book that can be enjoyed by all ages...from grade school on up. I was well into adulthood when I read this book. I picked up the series at the library but decided I want to own the books. Will introduce them to my granddaughters when they're a bit older--maybe age six or so. But buy this book even if you don't have any kids or grandkids! This book was the inspiration for the movie 'The Secret World of Arrietty.' I won't see the movie because I have a picture in my mind of all the characters. Don't want a movie changing that.