This charming novel for children was first published in Japan as Majyo no Takkyubin, 1985. The Studio Ghibli film followed in 1989, but it took a long time for the book to published in English translation. The author Eiko Kadono has written many other books, including sequels to this one, but I can’t find that they have been translated.

The story is about Kiki, who leaves her parents’ house in search of a town where she can stay as the resident witch. She only has one magic power, which is to fly on a broomstick. She is accompanied by her black cat, Jiji, who can talk. The town they choose is frosty towards her at first, but she wins the people’s hearts by being helpful. She sets up a delivery service, where she and Jiji will transport anything by broom. They make mistakes along the way, but they also make friends. It’s a pleasant, gentle read which has cute illustrations by Joe Todd-Stanton.

Translated by Emily Balistrieri, published by Puffin, 2021.