The Secret World of Arrietty

Image courtesy of Secret World of Arrietty can be found here

Title:   The Secret World of Arrietty

Publisher:  Studio Ghibli (Disney U.S. Release)       Year: 2012

Media: Film    Rating: G

Ages: 6-12

Genre:  Fantasy

Subjects/Themes:  Self Reliance, Growing Up, Hope

Plot Summary:  Arrietty is a 14-year-old miniature girl whose family lives under the floorboards.  Secretly they borrow things small things that won’t be missed from the homeowner and her maid.    If a borrower is ever seen by a human, they have to move away.  Arrietty’s family hasn’t seen any other borrowers in a long time.  She wonders if maybe her family is the last of her kind.   One day when out in the garden, Arrietty is spotted by a young boy named Shawn.  Arrietty knows humans are dangerous, but she is intrigued by this new boy.  Shawn understands what it is like to be scared and alone.  Will getting to know Shawn be dangerous for Arrietty’s family?  

Review: Japanese Studio Ghibli presents a beautiful oasis in children’s animation a respite from the over hyped, over done films that Hollywood has churned out over the past few years.  Like the other films of Studio co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, The Secret World of Arrietty has thoughtful messages about loneliness, trust, perseverance and hope and for our young people.  All this is wrapped in a Japanese garden, where a strong and capable young miniature girl escapes with her life from predators like cats and birds.  Despite her diminutive size Arrietty has the courage to look fearlessly at her future and inspires Shawn to do the same.  This film has beautiful animation.   It is based on the Borrowers a series of novels by Mary Norton.

If you like this book you may also like:  Kiki’s Delivery Service and Spirited Away, also by Studio Ghibli.  The Borrowers by Mary Norton.