The beginning of the book barely relates to the borrowers at all, instead focusing on the creator of the miniature village they had moved to at the end of The Borrowers Afloat. When the borrowers are imprisoned by some greedy humans, they use there ingenuity to escape by balloon. The details of the escape are very thoroughly explained. The plot seems to flow with no apparent rhythm. This was a well told and enjoyable story, but the flow was not as enjoyable as the other books in the series.

Poor Stainless is included in this volume. It is very brief, about as long as chapter. It is a story unto itself, but completely irrelevant to the series. Worth reading, but you are not missing anything if you don't.

This story comes with the bonus story “Poor Stainless.” The borrowers have a cosy new home that is just their size and intended for them, but just as they’re settling in, someone captures them. They are trapped in an attic until Arriety discovers plans for hot air balloons, and they are able to make an escape. ( )