The Borrowers: Activity Book (Puffin Books)
The Borrowers Series
on Goodreads (8)
What’s inside...
Enter the world of the Borrowers. Arriety, Pod and Homily always like to keep busy, now children can join them in this activity book. There are puzzles, word searches, mazes and lots of things to do - all featuring the Borrowers.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-9
Length
96 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What would you do if you were the size of a Borrower and lived under the floor? Can you imagine a day in your life?
How do the Borrowers make use of everyday items differently from us? What was the most creative use you noticed?
Why do you think the Borrowers need to keep their existence a secret? How would you feel if you had to keep such a big secret?
What qualities do the Borrowers have that help them to survive in their unique situation? Which of these qualities do you think are important in our lives?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think creatively by asking them to come up with their own ideas for objects they could 'borrow' and use in unusual ways.
Discuss the theme of secrecy and trust by relating it to your child’s experiences with keeping secrets or trusting others.
Foster a deeper understanding by connecting the Borrowers' qualities for survival with qualities your child thinks they possess or could develop.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Creativity and Problem-Solving
Explanation: The Borrowers: Activity Book encourages children to think outside the box through various puzzles and games, mirroring the Borrowers' own innovative approaches to using human objects.
Real-World Application: Children can use these skills to find creative solutions in school projects and everyday challenges.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Activities in the book often require collaboration, reflecting how the Borrowers work together to navigate their world.
Real-World Application: Kids learn the importance of cooperating with others, which can be applied in group tasks at school or in sports.
Example Lesson: Resourcefulness
Explanation: The Borrowers exemplify making use of available resources, a theme that resonates through the activities designed in the book.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to utilize what they have at hand creatively, enhancing their ability to adapt to different situations.
Example Lesson: Attention to Detail
Explanation: The activity book includes tasks that require careful attention to details, akin to the Borrowers' meticulous scavenging skills.
Real-World Application: This can help refine a child’s observation and concentration skills, important for academic success and daily life.
Example Lesson: Cultural Awareness
Explanation: The book introduces elements of human household items and their uses, broadening a child's understanding of different aspects of human culture and innovations.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and understand the diversity in human lifestyles and historical contexts, promoting cultural sensitivity.