The Borrowers

The Borrowers by Mary Norton, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 1953, is a children’s classic that spans 180 pages. This enchanting tale follows the Clock family—Homily, Pod, and their fourteen-year-old daughter, Arrietty—who are tiny people living beneath the kitchen floor of an English manor. Their unique lifestyle involves “borrowing” items from the humans above them, creating a whimsical world filled with miniature furnishings. However, their peaceful existence is threatened when Pod is spotted by a human boy, raising questions about their safety and the future of their hidden home.

Readers will discover a blend of action and adventure as the Clocks navigate the challenges of survival in a world that is both familiar and perilous. The story explores themes of family and the humorous dynamics of living in secret, while also touching on elements of legends and myths. This first edition of The Borrowers invites readers to immerse themselves in a delightful narrative that captures the imagination and highlights the resilience of its tiny heroes.