Caramel reviews Kiki’s Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono

Today Caramel reviews Kiki’s Delivery Service, originally written in Japanese by Eiko Kadono in 1985. Kiki’s story became a world sensation when the animated movie Kiki’s Delivery Service by Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli came out in 1989. Caramel and Sprinkles both read the book before watching the movie, and in this post, they are talking about the English translation by Emily Balistrieri, published originally in 2020.

Sprinkles: Today Caramel and I are talking about a book written several decades before he was born. And an animated movie of the book also became famous all the way back then. But Caramel and I only read it this year. The story is pretty timeless though, so I think it still worked out well. What do you think, Caramel?

Caramel: Yeah, I agree. The story is timeless, and it is pretty good. It’s about a witch. In this world witches are nice, and at thirteen they need to leave home and go to a new town and help the people there.

S: Okay, that’s cool, I like that witches are nice. And I like growing-up-and-figuring-yourself-out stories. So I’m guessing that this book is about a witch named Kiki, and she starts a delivery service in a new town?

C: Yes, that’s almost exactly what happens. When Kiki turns thirteen, she needs to leave her home. Her mom is also a witch and both her parents are very supportive of what she has to do. So she leaves home and flies to a town near the ocean. 

S: Wait! She literally flies?

C: Yes, on her broomstick!

S: Cool! So she is a broomstick witch. Okay go on.

C: So in this new town, Kiki begins to live with a farm family. She then sets up shop in their barn and gets a telephone, and she starts her delivery service there.

S: So she begins to deliver things to people using her broomstick, like courier services provided by people on mopeds?

C: Yeah, she delivers small things. Toy cats, real cats, children, bread, things like that.

S: Wait, she delivers children?

C: Yeah, no, that’s a joke. But she delivers all kinds of other stuff. And she has a talking cat named Jiji who always comes along.

S: Oh, that sounds really cool. Wouldn’t you like to have a talking cat?

C: Maybe. I think it could be fun. But these witches sure like names that repeat a syllable. Ki-ki and Ji-ji. 

S: Both names sound cute though, right? 

C: Sure-sure; see I did the same thing?

S: You are in a good mood today Caramel! Okay, let us get back to the book. So did you know that the author who wrote this book wrote eight more following the adventures of Kiki? 

C: Really, are they translated yet? This book was pretty good so I’d definitely like to read at least some of the followup books.

S: I don’t think any of them is translated yet. But you’re right. The story sounds really cute.

C: Yeah, it’s a nice calm book. Nothing really bad happens, and Kiki feels lonely at the beginning and faces some challenges, but nothing too scary, and she eventually finds her footing. All young bunnies could enjoy it, I think. 

S: Agreed. Did you know that the animated version of the book was what made it so famous? The movie was made all the way back in 1989 and it is still well liked by many around the world. 

C: Huh, that’s cool, I didn’t know that.

S: Yeah, it was made by Hayao Miyazaki, from Studio Ghibli. Do you remember them? They are the people who made My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Spirited Away (2001), and The Boy and the Heron (2023). 

C: Oh yeah, I do think we saw the trailer for Kiki before we watched The Boy and the Heron, and that was one weird movie! But I think Marshmallow liked My Neighbor Totoro. 

S: I did not see that one but yes, The Boy and the Heron was a very different type of movie. I think it would be neat to see the movie about Kiki, too.

C: Yes! Maybe we can put in a link for the trailer? 

S: Sure. Here it is:

C: Thank you. Maybe we can find a way to watch the full movie too.

S: Yes, I think that would be lovely! Do you think this is a good time to wrap up this review? 

C: Yes, I think so. 

S: Okay, then, what would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews! And merry Christmas to all who celebrate!