The Borrowers live in the secret places of quiet old houses; behind the mantelpiece, inside the harpsichord, under the kitchen clock. They own nothing, borrow everything, and think that human beings were invented just to do the dirty work. Arrietty’s father, Pod, was an expert Borrower. He could scale curtains using a hatpin, and bring back a doll’s teacup without breaking it. Girls weren’t supposed to go borrowing but as Arrietty was an only child her father broke the rule, and then something happened which changed their lives. She made friends with the human boy living in the house…

Comprehensive independent learning contracts / response activities for The Borrowers by Mary Norton

Response activities incorporating

• higher order thinking skills,
• conscious communication and essential skills,
• tools for developing self and co-regulation skills,
• specifically designed to enhance the links between reading and writing and the development of key language skills.

We’ve even done the teaching for you – the children simply follow our QR codes for detailed guides on how to complete the learning activities. You’ll never hear “I don’t know how to do this” again!

Multiple class/teacher use – this licence is required for Modern and Flexible Learning environments, Syndicate and School orders.

Individual class/teacher use – this licence is suitable for individual class/teacher use. 

Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+

Themes explored include: Survival and resourcefulness, family and loyalty, belonging and identity, fear of the unknown, adaptation and change, secrecy and concealment, courage and curiosity, home and displacement, difference and acceptance, power and vulnerability