Kiki's Delivery Service

Descriptive and whimsical, and both characters' names and their appearances in Onoda's anime-inflected illustrations create a Japanese-inspired fantasy world. The characters' quirkiness creates the feeling that Kiki's future will be filled with countless friends and adventures. There are mishaps galore but never any real danger, as Kiki always finds a solution using creativity, intelligence, and a dash of magic....An enchanting, gently humorous all-ages family read-aloud.

Kadono's endearing, encouraging novel memorably shows that though the new can be scary, it can also be wonderful and make one a better person.

Gr 4 Up—This fantastical story of a charming witch, originally published in 1985 and adapted into the beloved Hiyao Miyazaki film, has been translated from Japanese to English. When Kiki turns 13, witch tradition mandates that she must leave her family and set out on her own. With her sidekick, a black cat named Gigi, Kiki settles in the village of Koriko. Drawing upon her talents as a witch, Kiki establishes her own delivery service. Throughout her first year of working and living in Koriko, Kiki meets new friends who brighten her days, embarks on exciting adventures, and is launched on a journey of self-discovery. Kadono crafts a vulnerable, likable character in Kiki and readers will surely connect with her. Young readers will delight in Kiki's humorous experiences and will relate to her worries. This #OwnVoices fantasy novel offers a glimpse into a few aspects of Japanese culture. VERDICT A classic tale, this new translation is perfect for read-alouds and will find a welcome home in any library. Recommended.—Amy McInerney, Falmouth Elem. Sch., ME

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"A gentle story of magic-tinged independence." —The Wall Street Journal