The Borrowers Aloft

The Borrowers Aloft is a children's fantasy novel by Mary Norton, published in 1961. It is the fourth book in the five part The Borrowers series, preceded by The Borrowers (first published in 1952), The Borrowers Afield (first published in 1955) and The Borrowers Afloat (first published in 1959). It was succeeded in 1982 by the fifth and final book of the series, The Borrowers Avenged.

Plot introduction

With the help of their friend Spiller, the Clock family have relocated to the miniature village of Little Fordham where they try to live in secret. They were discovered by a couple who own a rival model village and are kidnapped with the intention of being put on display as an attraction when that model village opens for tourist season. Imprisoned through the winter in the couple's attic, the Clocks are able to use materials they find to create a balloon and basket which lifts them out of a window and to freedom before they can be put on display.

Knowing they cannot risk moving back into Little Fordham the family again take to the great outdoors, in search of a new place to call home.

Characters

The Borrowers

• Arrietty Clock
• Pod Clock
• Homily Clock

The Big People

• Mr. Pott
• Mr. Platter

TV adaptations

• The Return of the Borrowers: The 1993 sequel to The Borrowers, this BBC TV series starred Ian Holm, Penelope Wilton and Rebecca Callard. The series was adapted from the third and fourth books of the Borrowers series.