The Borrowers Afield: A British Classic Fantasy About Family Survival for Kids (Ages 8-12)

Long before there were Littles or anyone shrunk their children, Mary Norton had written this warm and wonderful series about a race of tiny people who live hidden in quiet country houses and "borrow" their livings from the human inhabitants. Their lives depend on remaining unseen and unsuspected. But little Arietty Clock, who lives with her parents (Pod and Homily) is a naturally curious girl and lonely besides. When, on her very first trip out to Borrow ("The Borrowers," 1952), she is "seen" by a little human boy, she becomes friends with him and sets off a chain of events that will threaten her family's very existence -- and make staying in their home beneath the kitchen floorboards impossible. In this second tale (1955), Pod, Homily, and Arietty set off across country, searching for long-lost relatives in the hopes of finding a new home and a new life. Despite the dangers (owls, badgers, insects, etc.), Arietty loves the freedom of living outdoors in the sunshine and fresh air. They set up housekeeping in an old boot and soon meet Spiller, a half-wild huntsman Borrower, who has the knack of showing up in the very nick of time to provide food, news -- and help. But they are reminded of their vulnerability when the gypsy Mild Eye finds and traps them. Pod and Homily, having no other option, must go against all of their instincts in order to survive.... With her "Borrowers" series, Mary Norton accomplished what few writers are able to do: she created a group of characters that become real through her words; and a fantasy world that is so realistic that readers young and old will be lost in it, and will look at their own world differently forever after. Though each stands alone, the first four tales read as fluidly as if they are all parts of one larger book -- indeed, they have been published as a single volume in the past -- and can be read consecutively without excessive and tiresome rehashing of the previous plots. The books are billed by booksellers as written for 8-10 year olds, but they are ideal for reading aloud to younger children; and adults too will enjoy the sheer fun they contain. I first read them when I was ten -- long before "Avenged" was written and answered my longstanding questions about the Borrowers' fate. All five books remain in my reading cycle, to be reread every few years in their entirety. By stages funny, thrilling, and poignant, these lovely books will capture your imagination and keep you turning pages all the way to the end.

I just love Mary Norton's stories. The characters are wonderfully funny and this book was just as good as the first one. I read the Borrowers a lot when I was a child, but this was the first time I've read the Borrowers Afield. I bought it as a birthday present for my daughter, and couldn't help reading it secretly before it was time to give it to her. I can't wait to share it with her! The story is told in such a refreshing, wonderful way compared to so many modern stories. One thing I really like about her writing is that it reminds me a little of a play - the settings are simple and don't change much, and most of the story is in the dialogue and interactions between the characters. I wonder how much that has to do with the fact that she was an actress.

I loved this book! It was a great use of time and very cool! It was super exiting. I personally loved the first book, and this is even better! You know,sometimes I wonder we're some of my knick knacks have gone, and now I think I know.....

Bought this for my wife who suddenly wanted to read these books, again. I am not happy that they are not actually a boxed set, as advertised. The seller cobbled together the five books from three different sets, and they look nothing like what is pictured. However, my wife does not care if they are a set, or not, she just is happy to have them. She is also excited to have them for the grandkids to read when they are here on vacation. They are great books and I was glad to be able to find them for my family.

This is one of many of Mary Norton’s adventurous stories of the Borrowers. It is all about how these little tiny people live under the floorboards of houses and then borrow things at night to survive. Love her stories. Linda A

I really enjoyed this book and really recomend it as a book for your reading list! It’s really exciting , meaningful ,and a great read!🤩👍

Great condition and completed the set!

My granddaughter and I read the initial “Borrowers” together and followed it with the sequel,”The Borrowers Afield.” We both enjoyed the story immensely. I would strongly recommend the book but would encourage young readers to be aware of the British text that may require adult explanation by us American readers. A cute and fun story indeed.

Mary Norton's sequence of novels about the "Borrowers" -- tiny people about 30 centimetres (twelve inches) tall, who live hidden lives behind the scene in ordinary human houses, "borrowing" from the humans what they need to survive, all the while doing their utmost NOT to be "seen" by humans, who would be scared and exterminate them or capture and exploit the little people -- is one of the gems of Twentieth-century children's literature. It must bs stressed that Norton's books have never been adequately translated into faithful film or television versions, and MUST be read to fully appreciate the characters of the Borrowers, and their dangerous lives. This is one of the cases where the BOOKS are BEST! Importantly, the main Borrower, the young hero of the saga, is Arietty, a young female Borrower, full of courage, daring, and imagination. Arrietty wants to KNOW more about the very big world, but when her curiosity leads to extreme danger, it takes the WHOLE SEQUENCE of books to finally reach the happy life Arrietty has always longed for. Few heroines are as creative and brave as Arrietty! The diversity of the books is notable. The first, "The Borrowers", introduces the family, and their predicament -- staying alive while keeping hidden in a huge old house. The second finds the Borrowers evicted from the house, and struggling to survive, "afield", living in an old boot. The third takes the Borrowers voyaging down a river in an old kettle -- "afloat". The fourth involves a balloon -- "aloft" -- albeit, stretching science in the same way that Winnie-the-Pooh floating through the sky while holding onto a party balloon also, whimsically, defies science, as does Mary Poppins and her umbrella. (Mary Norton is in good company alongside A.A. Milne and Pamela Travers!) The fifth rounds out the saga -- "avenged". A sixth shorter Borrower story, set in the original house, is a novella, "Poor Stainless", not included in this omnibus collection of the five main novels of the Borrowers. Very, VERY highly recommended! John Gough -- Deakin University (retired) -- [email protected]

The english chosen is a little bit hard to trader. Because i am french and or is l’île a slang. But after à While i got or it and it was ok. The store is if course fantastique!

全５巻ある“The Borrowers” シリーズの第２巻目になる本書で、３人家族は、野に出てサバイバル生活をすることになる。食用に木の実を集め、靴を住まいとし雨風や寒さを防がねばならない。新登場のスピラーはワイルドで自由人。頼りになる愛妻家の父親、すぐ悲観的になるが家庭的な母親、明るく行動的で不屈の娘というメンバーの頑張りに声援を送り、住まいや食についての工夫にはエコ問題を思わせられる。楽しいイラストと共に、散りばめられているユーモラスな表現にクスクス笑い、危機の連発にハラハラ心配して、次々と読み進みたくなる。第３巻にも続く親戚との関係は、身につまされた。児童物なのに、１００％は理解できないという私７０才の英語力ではあるが、それを補う牽引力がある。生きるエネルギーを得ながら、この夏中に全巻読破！

This book is in nearly new condition and a great purchase .I read these stories in the 1950's when I was around 6 to 7 years old and wanted to share them with our grandsons.This copy was a good choice as the print is not as small as the new paperback version. We will get hours of enjoyment and have a good looking book to keep for the next generation :-) Very happy with the book and the excellent customer service.

My son loved the first book but this one slightly less as he felt the " borrowing" theme was a bit lost now they have moved outside. He read it fast as its an easy read for 11 and did enjoy it. He said it got better closer to the end. Not so enthused as he was with book 1 though.