The Borrowers by Mary Norton - January Book to Film Club Selection

January 2012 Reading: The Borrowers by Mary Norton

Starting the year off nice & light we begin with a children's fantasy novel about tiny people that live in the floorboards of the houses of humans and borrow little things like sugar and such but need to remain unseen by human eyes. I really enjoyed the book, and it was a soft way to glide into 2012 with a sense of wonder and nesting. I'm really excited to see the film when it comes out in February. But, before we get too wrapped up with the adaptation, let's think about the book itself.

Things to ponder on the book:

• Did you enjoy reading it?
• Was it what you were expecting?
• What did you know about the book before reading it?
• Did you enjoy the pace of a kid's book?
• What did you think about the combination of pictures & text?
• What did you think about the writing style?
• What did you take away from reading the book?
• Is there anything you would change about the book?
• Who would you recommend the book to?
• Do you want to continue reading the series?
  

About the upcoming film adaptation:

• How do you feel about the casting of the film?
• Are you looking forward to seeing an animated adaptation?
  
• What do you hope to be the focus of the film?
• What do you think is essential to keep from the book in the film?
• What do you think they can trim away from the book to the film?
• What do you think the challenges of the adaptation may be?
• Do you have any hesitations on the adaptation?
• What are you most looking forward to about the film adaptation?

If this was a re-read:

• How did reading it this time compare with your previous time reading it?
• Did you notice anything different this time round?
• Did your interest and focus stay on the same characters and moments, or shift?

Film Adaptation
The Borrowers is the first in the series but the film is an adaptation of the first novel so we just have to read the one. The film adaptation is already completed and has been released in Japan and has won the Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year for 2010 given out by the Nippon Academy-sho association.

The title of the film adaptation is The Secret World of Arrietty, an animated film from Japan from Studio Ghibli, directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi & Gary Rydstrom which will be released on February 17, 2012.

The film has been known by other names including Kari-gurashi no Arietti in Japan, Arriety the Borrower in the UK and Arriety in Australia, and has had different voice casts in different areas. The voice cast for North American version includes Bridgit Mendler, David Henrie, Will Arnett, Amy Poehler and Carol Burnett.
See the Disney film site for the trailer and more info on the film and the IMDb Page.

Next Up: Our February 2012 Book Selection is The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

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