Kiyomi And The Sacred Dreamlily Review

Author: Kristi Shimada

Illustrator: Eko Setiawan

Publisher: Dreampath Publishing

Released: June 2, 2025

Format: Paperback, Kindle

Genre: Juvenile Fiction

ISBN: 979-8989912254

Page Count: 44 pages

Price: Paperback $16.99, Kindle $4.99

Age Range: ‎ 6 - 9 years

Reviewer: Ellwyn Autumn

Rating:   3 1/2 Lemon Drops

Available on Amazon

A story of friendship and finding your life path.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author and agreed to give an honest review.

Review:

Book Summary: 

Kiyomi was born from the seed of a Sacred Dreamlily. One day, a gust of wind transported the Sacred Dreamliy to the Golden Temple, Master Fuji’s home.

To ensure their safety, Master Fuji put Kiyomi and the Sacred Dreamlily in the Sacred Pond of Life. Not long after, Kiyomi befriends Roku. The Dreamlily’s journey begins again, taking the pair on an adventure.

During their quest to return to the Pond of Life, Kiyomi and Roku encounter and befriend more characters who help Kiyomi find her true home and her life’s path.

Opinion:

Kiyomi and the Sacred Dreamlily is a heartfelt story about friendship and the personal journey we all take in life. The basic premise is imaginative and uplifting. A cast of eclectic characters model kindness and fellowship young readers will appreciate.

Kristi Shimada’s prose is charming and easy-to-read. One of my favorite lines is found in Chapter 1 on page 1. “The exquisite blue flower shimmered in a brilliant white light. Her soft petals were subtle yet strong.”

Setiawan’s vibrant illustrations give the story a sweet, energetic feel.

I’d like to briefly discuss a few story details that will improve the reader’s experience.

Kiyomi’s creative shrinking ability, used with the Dreamlily, felt rushed and out of place in the story. A short explanation of its origins would help the reader understand this skill better.

The dialogue is too formal and doesn’t sound like real conversation. Simpler words and fewer contractions would make it more kid-friendly.

I have some doubts about how it ends. To avoid spoilers, I’m not going to reveal what occurs, but I felt it detracted from the story’s enchanting quality.

I give it 3 Lemon Drops!

About The Author:

Kristi Shimada is an award-winning children's book author. She wrote and illustrated her first unpublished book, The Little Shoe Shop, when she was eight. As a child, she loved the story Cinderella because she saw the inner beauty, kindness, and strength in Cinderella, and she loved books with happily-ever-after endings.

As a visionary artist and registered hypnotherapist, Kristi is passionate about how her stories empower the inner spirits of children and adults who read her books. She feels that having colorful illustrations is essential to the readers' experience. She believes every book she writes has a sprinkle of magic that brings a story to life.

Kristi lives in Washington with her loving husband, Chris, and their tuxedo cat, Jasper. She has five children and ten grandchildren, whom she loves dearly.

She is the author of Mariko and the Magic Mirror, The Enchanted Starflower, The Samurai's Gift, Princess Serafina and the Mystical Unicorn, Princess Serafina and the Jeweled Circle, Princess Serafina and the Wings of Heaven, Megumi & Kukana Friends Forever, Journey to Rainbow Valley, The Samurai's Gift Among the Forest, The Sea Princess, Pistachio the Owl, The Samurai's Gift A Ninja's Promise, Dragons of Lilia, and Dragons of Lilia: A New King.