I picked The Borrowers from Wendy's list because it seemed like one of those Books I Ought to Have Read By Now. I read, write, and sell children's books, after all. How could I not have read The Borrowers yet? It's a little embarassing, you know?
At any rate, I'm so glad I finally did. What a sweetie pie of a book! There's a reason this has become a classic. It's just that good -- cozy and comfortable with a spot-on voice. After a run of ho-hum books, I blazed through The Borrowers and loved it.
I realize I'm mostly just gushing here, but I feel sort of like I'm one of the last people on earth who doesn't already know all about The Borrowers.
I should probably mention that I read the 50th anniversary editon, which is illustrated with the original British pictures by Diana Stanely. There's also an introductory essay by Leonard Marcus and a letter by Mary Norton explaining the origins of the little people under the floorboards. All fun stuff for a kiddie lit geek like me.
Speaking of anniversary editions, I was a bit surprised to discover this book is only 50-some years old. In the grand scheme of things, that's a pretty quick trip to the classics shelf if you ask me. That's decades younger than Winnie the Pooh, The Secret Garden, Little House, and heaps of other old favorites. I guess that just goes to show how good it is.
Thanks Wendy!
