The Borrowers children's series of books penned by Mary Norton has been updated by acclaimed filmmaker and screenwriter Hayao Miyazaki, the force behind several other animated films by Studio Ghibli, including Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Tortoro, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Tales from Earthsea, and Ponyo and others.

The Secret World of Arrietty is an animated adventure about a world no one has ever seen. This world is populated by tiny people that live beneath the floorboards of a country house. They come up to "borrow" items they need. Arritty, a tiny 14-year old, becomes friends with the little boy in the house. But will their friendship endanger Arrietty and her family?

Miyazaki says, "Insects, animals and plants coexist in mutual prosperity on this Earth. There are no boundaries between living things. No one possesses the right to divide resources into yours and mine. Every living thing survives simply by borrowing from nature. There is nothing for anyone—human, animal or plant—to possess.
We human beings used to live harmoniously with nature, just as these tiny people do."

The Secret World of Arrietty was released in Japan in 2010 and won the Japanese Animation of the Year Award. It was the country's highest grossing film that year.

The title role of Arrietty is voiced by Bridgit Mendler who stars in the Disney Channel's Good Luck Charlie TV series. Arrietty's parents are voiced by Amy Poehler and Will Arnett, who are married to each other in real life.  And Carol Burnett voices the housekeeper. Even though these talented actors are not seen onscreen, they each bring their own personalities to the film.

The Borrowers was first published in 1952 and was followed by three sequels: The Borrowers Afield (1955), The Borrowers Aloft (1961), and The Borrowers Avenged (1982). I have a feeling many kids will be reading these books after seeing the film.

The Secret World of Arrietty comes to theaters February 17, 2012. It's rated "G" for the whole family.