Witches exist in the world of this book, but there aren't a lot of them, and magical knowledge and powers are starting to fade away with each generation. The only magic Kiki is capable of is flying on her broom. She also has Jiji, one of the black cats that all young witches are raised with.

Kiki is about to turn thirteen, the age at which young witches strike off on their own and find a new town to call home for a year. Although her mother advises her to not choose a big city, Kiki wants more excitement and ends up settling in Koriko. It's daunting at first - no one seems to be very interested in having a witch live in their town - but Kiki manages to carve out a place for herself by starting a delivery service. Her first customer, Mrs. Osono, helps by giving her a place to stay.

Throughout the rest of her first year, Kiki meets new people, delivers everything from a painting to a giant belly band, and gains more confidence in her abilities.

It's been ages since I watched this movie, and I didn't even realize until I heard about this book coming out that it was based on a novel (or series as a whole?). I thought this was charming, although certainly aimed at a younger audience than the stuff I normally read. The translation felt smooth and natural, and I'd easily recommend this to young readers interested in some light coming-of-age fantasy.

Although it's mentioned at the beginning that Kiki and Jiji will eventually go their separate ways, that doesn't happen in this particular book, so no worries about that.

(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.) ( )

This book delivers on the charm and magic. Just as wonderful as the famous film (based off the book), this is a story about the perils and joys of growing up, the wonder of the world, and the beauty of returning home. ( )

Timeless Studio Ghibli

If you could get a warm hug from a book, it would be this book. After reading this I just wanted to polish a broom (first find one seeing as the Roomba has put it out of commission) gather up one of my puppies, maybe Pippin (I don't have a cat - damn my allergies, Jiji is adorable) and take to the blue skies with a little portable radio to listen to some sweet sounds.

I love that the world in which this story takes place is not a dark world like ours. A 10-13 year old "coming of age" is a petrifying thing. A 10-13 year old moving away from home to live in another city and help strangers - damn unthinkable. But this book makes you forget the harsh realities of Earth season 2023 and transports you firmly to a world where people like Osono make you feel at home, where ships are littered with belly-band covered wine bottles, where love poems are scribbled on leaves and bring joy, where bells that ring at the stroke of midnight on New Years Eve bring pinkie promises and folksy races around a quaint but massive city.

I loved this journey so much for it's slice of life simplicity with a dash of wonderous magic.

Listen, can you hear it?

Book 3: Readathon ( )

So much fun to read the original story -- it was a lot closer to the movie than I expected. ( )

Years before covid almost every lesbian I encountered that was into selling baked goods and doing cake decorations had pink hair and a Kiki's delivery service tattoo. I always wondered why. This book did not answer that question for me. I don't think I can force myself to see the film after this book. The mystery will remain unsolved for me.