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Kiki's Delivery Service (Japanese story in English)

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by Eiko Kadono (Author), Akiko Hayashi (Illustrator), Lynne E. Riggs (Translator) A lovely story that became a classic in Japan and a popular animated home video throughout North America.

Kiki is a resourceful, spunky girl who follows her maternal tradition to be a witch. She possesses only one gift of witchcraft -- the power to fly. Like all young witches, she sets out at age 12 to find a town of her own. With her ever-present companion Jiji -- a cynical and faithful black cat -- Kiki departs on her broomstick and arrives at a big town near the ocean. Though nervous at first, she soon sets up a business delivering packages.

Kiki meets all kinds of people and has many adventures. She befriends the thief who stole her broomstick and saves the town's traditional New Year's marathon with some courageous and timely flying.

Throughout, Kiki's confidence and self-awareness grows as she learns to value her unique talents. And with Kiki's help, the townspeople realize that everyone has some magic that gives them their own special character and vitality.

This is a charming and delightful tale that is reminiscent of children's favorites The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy and Astrid Lindgren's Adventures of Pippi Longstocking. Black and white line drawings sprinkled throughout reveal the humor and warmth in everything Kiki does.

About the Author

Eiko Kadono was born in Tokyo, Japan, and after living in Sao Paulo, Brazil, returned to the ancient Japanese city of Kamakura. Eiko is presently writing the fourth volume in the adventures of Kiki.

Lynne E. Riggs was born in Pennsylvania and moved to Tokyo as an adult. She heads the translation firm Center for Intercultural Communication and has worked with the Japanese Board on Books for Young People since 1990.

Akiko Hayashi began drawing at the age of eleven in Tokyo while studying in a painter's studio.

Ages 9-12 176 pages, Paperback