The Complete Adventures of the Borrowers: 5-Book Paperback Box Set
The Borrowers Series
on Goodreads (204)
What’s inside...
This boxed set includes all five of Mary Norton's beloved best-selling books about the tiny, stouthearted Borrowers. The collection features paperback editions of The Borrowers, The Borrowers Afield, The Borrowers Afloat, The Borrowers Aloft, and The Borrowers Avenged. This gorgeous package is perfect for gift giving and is a must-have for fans of classic adventure stories. The set is the 1967 First American edition from HBJ, complete with hardcover and dust jacket.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
1152 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the Borrowers feel living under the floorboards and borrowing from humans? Would you like that kind of adventure?
What do you think makes the Clock family’s relationships so special? How do they work together when they face challenges?
If you could borrow one item from the human world like the Borrowers, what would it be and why?
How do the Borrowers solve problems differently than humans do? Can we learn something from their methods?
If you were writing the next adventure for the Borrowers, what would it look like? Where would they go or what new challenges would they face?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in the Borrowers' shoes, imagining how they would navigate the vast human world from a tiny perspective.
Discuss the importance of family and teamwork in the book, relating it to your child's own experiences with family and friends.
Use creative prompts to let children think of alternative story endings or new adventures, enhancing their creativity and imaginative thinking.
Highlight the resourcefulness of the Borrowers when discussing the story, prompting your child to think of ways they can be resourceful in their daily life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resourcefulness
Explanation: The Borrowers demonstrate clever and creative ways to repurpose items they 'borrow' from humans to survive and thrive in their miniature world.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of using resources wisely and thinking innovatively to solve problems both at home and in school.
Example Lesson: Courage and Resilience
Explanation: Throughout the series, the Borrower families face various challenges, including potential discovery by humans and the need to relocate when threatened. Their bravery in facing the unknown instills a sense of adventure and resilience.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to be brave when facing new situations or challenges, and to persistently work through difficulties they encounter.
Example Lesson: Cooperation and Family Bonds
Explanation: The Borrowers rely on strong family ties and teamwork to navigate their adventures and everyday life, emphasizing the importance of working together and supporting one another.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by fostering cooperative relationships with siblings and peers and appreciating the strength found in familial and community support.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Interactions between the Borrowers and the human characters in the stories reveal themes of misunderstanding and mutual curiosity, teaching the Borrowers and readers the value of empathy.
Real-World Application: This can help children develop a deeper understanding of different perspectives and the importance of empathizing with others, regardless of their background or experiences.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: The Borrowers continuously adapt to new environments and situations, highlighting the importance of being flexible and open to change.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children learn to adapt to changes such as moving to a new school or dealing with shifts in their family life or routines.