Both series follow the Clocks, a family of tiny people who have fled from their home under the floorboards in an old manor into the English countryside.

Spiller and Arrietty go back to the Manor where George provides them with a "boat" (which is actually a large cutlery holder with a pin for an anchor and a knife for steering).

The Clock family sail down the stream overnight and are nearly caught by Mild Eye, who is stopped by a Police Officer who presumably arrests him.

Arrietty befriends Miss Menzies and also meets George, but unknown to the Clocks, the owner of Little Fordham, Mr. Pott, sees two of them while attending to the model buildings.

Imprisoned in the couple's attic, the Clocks are able to use materials they find to create a hot-air balloon and basket which lifts them out of a window to freedom moments before they are to be put on display.