Dream Shoppe

In this collection of three shojo shorts, a shop sells magic items that grant wishes, but for a price. Rin and her sales clerk, an animated stuffed rabbit named Alpha, offer wares to a tree that falls in love with a dying musician, a stuffed animal who loves his shy owner, and a young amnesiac. The stories can be a little cloying, but are easy to follow and have some real drama, though the second story, in which the stuffed animal attempts to commit suicide, might be a bit much for young readers. There is something more magical about the first story, in which the tree, which has never flowered, puts forth buds and then blossoms in the presence of her beloved. Rin has a superficially sinister gloss, but she makes things come out all right in the end. The art is beautifully composed, with a lovely sense of space and emotion. The book doesn’t have a clear audience, though. It’s a bit mature (and occasionally dark) for younger readers, but the stories aren’t sophisticated enough for older teens and adults. Possibly it’s one of those books for children that older teens still read. (Sept.)