Thank you to NetGalley for granting this ARC, super good and fast read. The story was intruiging and the characters had an interesting back story.

If you love the movie, you will 100% love the book- How could you not? I think this is a must read for any Ghibli fan.

I had no idea that the classic movie was based on a book! Unsurprisingly loved it, and look forward to sharing it with friends who also adore the film version.

Such a fun and whimsical read. As someone who grew up living this movie, I was enthralled in this beautiful book. Highly recommend for readers of all ages especially those those readers who are looking for some magic.

Incredibly charming and precious. This is my favorite Ghibli movie, and the original did not disappoint.

This was such a lovely tale! I have seen the movie, but this book made me fall in love with Kiki all over again. I love how determined and fierce she is, and Jiji is the best familiar ever. Can highly recommend this!

This was a DNF for me. Studio Ghibli movies are very popular at my library and I was eager to read this novel to be able to recommend it. I couldn't quite connect with the story. Fantasy novels are not my personal favorite, and I wasn't motivated enough to dive into this one. BUT, I was still happy to purchase for my library and can report that my Studio Ghibli fans are eager readers of this book.

Absolutely perfect. The writing captures the aura of the film and it's over all a great time. I can see myself reading soon, might even become a new comfort read.

I knew the book wouldn't be exactly like the movie, but I was pleasantly surprised at how delightful the story was. It was incredibly enjoyable and inspirational on how Kiki managed to learn who she is and grow into herself.

Literally Incredible, I love the movie Kiki’s Delivery Service so it was no doubt i’d love this book! So magical!!!

I have enjoyed reading this book. I have watched the movie and it was nice while it lasted. Kiki was so eager to follow the tradition and with full confidence, she decided to go to a new town to call her home for a year. It’s a fresh story and it’s Miyazaki’s film. I have too much love for this.

I love Kiki's Delivery Service. This is no surprise to longtime readers of the blog, I'm sure, as I've likely mentioned my love for the Studio Ghibli film adaptation more than once before. The lovely animation style brings this charming slice of life story about a young witch to life beautifully, and I love it even more each time I do a rewatch. I've been curious about the novel it's based on for years, and when I saw the repackaged 2020 version with a stunning cover illustration, I knew I had to take the plunge and acquire a copy. Kiki's Delivery Service, for anyone who is unfamiliar with the title, is about young half-witch Kiki, who turns thirteen and is ready to set off on an adventure following the witch's tradition of choosing a new town to call her home for a year. She settles in the town of Koriko, confident that she'll be able to carve out a place for herself... except that things turn out to be more difficult than anticipated. But with the help of new friends, and despite the obstacles she has to face, Kiki eventually does find her way.

I loved reading Kiki's Delivery Service so much! (Listening, that is, as I actually wound up going the audiobook route for it. The narrator brought the story to life really well.) It was wonderful to immerse myself in this story, and I fell even more in love with Kiki and her adventures. It was delightful to recognize details that Miyazaki pulled directly from Kadono's work to incorporate into his film, almost like having an insider's perspective to the tale. It had just enough familiarity to inspire the warm coziness I feel whenever I watch the film, that's for sure! But it also had a few elements that are unique to the novel, and those were a very welcome surprise. Truthfully, however, Kiki herself is the star of the show! I loved getting to hang out with this sassy and clever young witch (and I definitely cackled quite a few times due to her antics or remarks). But I also found myself getting emotional over and resonating with Kiki's journey of self-discovery, particularly as she tries to figure out where she belongs and what she can do.

Kiki's Delivery Service was excellent! That's really not too much of a surprise considering how much I love the film, which is a pretty spot on adaptation of this magical middle grade tale. I'm really glad that I finally read it (and yes, I totally did a rewatch of the film after I finished), and would certainly recommend checking it out regardless of whether you've seen the film. (And I obviously also recommend checking the film out too!)

I am familiar with the Miyazaki film, but I have never actually read the book until now.

Thankfully, the film follows the book very closely (except for some changes). The only thing that bugs me is while this book is a chapter book, I think personally it should be illustrated. It just feels as if there is not much to offer in terms of story. Kiki does this, Kiki does that. No conflict.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for

Very similar to the movie that would eventually be named for it. This sweet, quick read is fantastic for those who love Eva Ibbotson or similar authors and was delightful.

Kiki's Delivery Service is my favorite Studio Ghibli film so I had to read the source material! I wasn't surprised to find that I absolutely loved it!

Growing up with this story it was nice to be able to read it again and it take me back loved it just as much as I did the first time

Three years ago, Kiki made the decision to follow in her mother’s tradition and live as a witch herself. Now, at the age of thirteen, she must leave her parents’ house and find her own town. She only takes with her a broom, a radio, and her black cat, Jiji.

Set in a world like our own, Kiki’s Delivery Service is a charming coming-of-age story that brings magic to the modern everyday. An everyday where witches are scarce and a genuine witch might only know a magic or two. To preserve their tradition, a witch must leave her parents’ house, when she comes of age, in order to settle in a town that has no witch of its own.

"Witches were able to survive … because we forged a give-and-take relationship with normal people. Sometimes we hold back, but we also help each other out however we can."

Kiki is a relatable protagonist. While she’s magical, energetic and excited to forget her own path, she also has insecurities. At times, she loses confidence in herself and needs a nudge from Jiji, a random act of kindness from stranger (Osono), or the offer of friendship from someone her own age (Tombo and Mimi). She’s also young and brash, sometimes jumping ahead without thinking. The story lightly touches upon the experience of disappointing a parent: lacking the patience for medicine-making, Kiki only learns one of her mother’s magics, the magic to fly. Her parents choose to support Kiki’s decision. She makes the most of her talent, and love of flying, to start her own delivery service.

I love the supportive family, both blood-related (her parents) and found (Osono, her friends, and the people of Koriko, the town where Kiki settles). Though Kiki gets annoyed with her mother at times, ultimately, they’re family, and she puts into practice what she learned from her mother. And though Kokiri wishes that Kiki would listen better, she supports Kiki in developing her interests. As Kiki, in turn, uses her magic to help the people of Koriko, the people, many of whom were wary initially of a witch in town, warm up to Kiki and adopt her as one of their own.

Each chapter is a self-contained story. And the stories take place over the course of a year. While Kiki shows growth over the course of the stories, and some contain recurring characters, each may be read on its own. I enjoyed the episodic nature of this book as I could read a single story in one sitting. Reading this book story by story helped me get through a rough finals week. I can see readers enjoying Kiki’s Delivery Service during story time or as a collection of bedtime tales. Each story also features a lovely illustration by Yuta Onoda.

The ending is bittersweet. As Kiki returns to her hometown, for a visit, little details reveal her growth into a young woman who has come into her own.

"I’ve been thinking that witches shouldn’t always rely on their brooms … sometimes it’s good to walk. When you walk, you end up talking to all sorts of different people…."

Fans of the Ghibli film and new readers alike will delight in the book that inspired it. Readers will recognize some of Kiki and Jiji’s misadventures, like the time Jiji must pretend to be a stuffed cat, and be enchanted by new ones, like the time Kiki’s curiosity gets the better of her when she delivers a love letter.

Fun, classic story. Glimpses into Japanese culture. Fun, #ownvoices fantasy complete with new friendships and adventures.

I am putting the link to my review here: Thanks for sharing. Love this book-very creative

hubpages.com/literature/Magic-Plays-a-Part-in-the-Coming-of-Age-of-a-Young-Witch-in-Engaging-Chapter-Book-for-Young-Readers.

Thanks for reading and sharing.

I know this series is very popular for so many people unfortunately I was just not a huge fan of it.