The art in this book was so whimsical and stunning. Loved the art, that's for sure. Wish the writing on the book was more readable though because the art work was just popping to the front.

Dreaming amidst "Sunflowers Rising in a Midnight Sky", spinning shimmery snowflakes, and witnessing fireworks light up the heavens' floor, "Sunflowers Rise in a Midnight Sky" sweeps young readers into a world of enchantment. This delightful children's book, adorned with engaging, colorful illustrations, sparks imagination effortlessly. Its pages are a canvas of whimsy, inviting children on an adventure where imagination knows no bounds. An essential addition to any classroom or library, "Sunflowers Rise in a Midnight Sky" is a treasure trove of magic, inspiring young minds to dream, create, and explore the wonders of their imagination.

This is such a cool book and the illustrations are absolutely stunning. The writing style is poetic/lyrical but unfortunately I didn't get the point of it but still can enjoy the overall book.

The illustrations in this book are amazing. They are beautiful and tell a story all their own. I found myself studying the artwork looking for all the littlest details. The writing is cute, but a little disjointed. I wish the prose flowed a little better, but this was still a sweet book that me and my toddler enjoyed.

The illustrations in this book are absolutely stunning! I also liked the whimsical ideas and would have loved a longer version. My one criticism is that on certain pages some of the text isn't easy to read, due to the limited contrast between the colour of the text and that of the background.

The illustrations were so incredibly unique and the color scheme on each page was so beautiful to look at. Sometimes the actual words of the story are hard to find and I especially can see where an issue could arise for someone who has some colorblindness due to a lack of contrast and the size of the actual font. Additionally, I also lost the rhythm of the poem a few times and I’m not sure how much if the actual story i fully understood, but the art alone would at least have me borrowing it from a local library to read to my nephew.

A poetic story with magnificent artwork to accompany it.
I found myself stuff looking for all the details in each image even after reading the text on each page.

Reminiscent of Dr. Seuss through the nonsense style of writing. And the stunning illustrations made this an enjoyable read. Unfortunately I'm not sure if I got the point but I still enjoyed this book greatly. I loved the fantasy dreamworld idea, and the Dr. Seuss vibes.

Beautiful illustrations. The unique text layout of the book felt distracting and difficult to read without physically moving the book (in this case, the screen) back and forth, which is not what my kids need in a bedtime book. The book mostly rhymes, and felt off-kilter when it didn't.

'What if when night falls, dreams come true?'

This was such a poetic book, taking the reader in the realms of dreams and imagination. It was so poetic, the sentences being filled with a beautiful imagery and carefully-chosen words.

And the illustrations! They were all such a delight to look at! They are so full of colours and magic that there is no doubt any reader could get lost in them...!

This book is truly beautiful, and defenitely one that will do wonders as a bedtime read. Because who knows, your dreams might come true once you've closed your eyes?

This is one of those artistic, poetry children's books and I loved it! The illustrations are breathtaking and my son (7) loved them just as much as me. I love reading books like this to my son because it shows that there are many ways to tell stories, and it doesn't always have to be a linear narrative. It was also great to read this after learning a little about poetry (which we were doing earlier in the day) because I was able to point out some of the techniques used (alliteration, calligram, etc.)

A book to read and read and read before bedtime. This book takes you on a dreamy journey. The story or poem tells you what might happen when you’re sleeping. A magical picturebook. That encourages the use of your imagination.

The illustrations are colorful and stunning. Each page sketches a world of its own and gives plenty of room to talk about the story and pictures. When you look at close you can recognize all kind of different art techniques, looking at this picture book makes me want to paint, and I’ll guess this book will make a great fit in art class or during craft moments.

Looking forward to a dutch translation of this book already.

I would like to thank NetGalley, for providing an advanced readers copy of this book in return for my honest review

This is not a book just for children, but also a wonderful experience for the adults. The pristine yet messy lines, the vibrant colors and the spluttering images create amazing images that will have your eyes linger over the contours for hours. For those with a penchant for whimsical illustrations, this is definitely a must have.

In terms of the text, this was more of a poem with a story. The words were easy to follow and I’m sure children will like it too.

What bothered me was that the text (font) didn’t blend in with the illustrations at all. I wish the publishing team (author, illustrator, editor, etc) would have gone for a more integrated experience. There are also instances where the color contrast is a little weak.

Overall, this is a nice experience and I’m definitely interested in more works from the illustrator.
Thank you to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for a honest review.

Thank you for the ARC @empyreanpress and @netgalley! This is a wonderful story about the way the world would look if our dreams came true. The art of the book is really beautiful. This would be a great mentor text for poetry or making mental images. It would also be fun to have students write poetry about their own dreams and create matching artwork.

Thank you for this ARC! Both the illustrations and the text in this book are beautiful. It is a book about fantastic dreams. Each page turned was a new exciting idea and flooded with gorgeous art. Highly recommend for the dreamers!

Beautifully worded and illustrated children’s book. Whimsical, ethereal, and dreamy…a perfect bedtime story. This is a book that I would pick from the library to read to my children.

"Sunflowers Rise in a Midnight Sky" by Avery Davis is a visually stunning digital arc that showcases a delightful play of vibrant colors and imaginative textures. The artwork in this book takes a wonderfully abstract and expressive approach, capturing the essence of a dreamscape where imagination takes the forefront.

The use of bold, vivid colors is particularly striking, bringing each page to life with an energy that leaps off the screen. Davis's unique artistic style blends whimsical elements with a depth that invites the viewer to delve deeper into each image.

The texture work in the book is another standout feature, adding layers of intrigue to the already captivating visuals. It's not just about the visual appeal; these textures create an almost tactile experience, making the digital pages feel interactive and alive.

Overall, "Sunflowers Rise in a Midnight Sky" is a testament to Avery Davis's creative prowess, offering a feast for the senses with its abstract beauty and emotive color palette. This book is a delightful escape into a world of color and imagination, perfect for anyone seeking a unique and visually stunning reading experience.

The artwork on this book is amazing and beautiful. I wanted to read it for that alone. The book was a great read with fantastic pictures.

Tang Wei, you are hands down my favourite storybook illustrator now!

This storybook is a celebration of colours and art. I am so sure this book will awaken the artist in you once you start reading it.

Kudos to the author for such amazing writing despite using limited words.

The whole book seems like a perfect beautiful dream becoming alive.

Thank you, Empyrean Press, for the advance reading copy.

This book is so dreamy! The visuals are absolutely immaculate. The overall vibe of the book is very wonderland-esque. The colors and arts are so gorgeous. Posters can be made of them, they're stunning.

Normally poetry isn't my thing, but the illustrations in this book sucked me right in. The whimsical drawings on the cover peeked my curiosity - you could tell the artist put real creativity into each piece.

Flipping through, I was impressed by the skill and detail paid to every scene. The pictures truly brought the words to life in an imaginative way. Even if the poems themselves weren't always my style, I could appreciate the passion behind each depiction.

While the intended audience wasn't exactly obvious, I still found things to appreciate within its pages despite likely skewing younger than intended. The illustrations alone kept me engaged even if all the poetry didn't resonate. Sometimes taking a chance outside your regular tastes can uncover something new; I'm always up for discovering fresh creative talents.

This book has beautiful illustrations. It's great for dreamers and those with beautiful imaginations.

The illustrations in this book are vibrant and magical. The whole book is a fanciful dream. My biggest criticism is the book lacks a plot- it’s just a collection of fantastical imagery. It’s a feast for the eyes, colorful and beautiful.

I feel totally mixed about this. I really liked the illustrations. They're all-consuming. Every time you look, you'll see a detail you've missed previously. I loved how bright and bold the colours were. I found the text disappointing though. It didn't flow or seem to match the pictures. It felt stilted and a bit like the author had tried to rhyme something and then given up. I couldn't see any pattern in the text that lasted longer than a few lines and it felt clumsy. At first, I wondered whether it was originally written in another language and had been really badly translated. I also found the text difficult to read on the page, as it is so small that it doesn't stand out against the colour behind it. I love the idea though and the illustrations and would be interested to see how it would look as a hard copy.

I had very high hopes for this book, and the cover left me in awe. The illustrations were a high point. The story was very imaginative but I felt it getting repetitive after a while and would have benefited from having more of a plot line. This is a wonderful book for provoking imagination and wonder in children, and would even serve as a great conversation starter where you could read this book with your child and then ask them what they dream about and what they wish could come true from their imagination. The text was difficult to see on most of the pages, and I missed some of the lines of text and had to re-read. The unconventional placement of the text gives the book an extra dream-like quality but with the font/color/size of the text, it made it more difficult to see.

Avery I wanted to give the you a real response for my critique. I was so excited from the title of this book. Your cover image is very inviting. The first 3 pages I was really interested and excited to read -The rainbows and plane landed in the clouds. Then it seemed that each page felt more and more disconnected. The illustrations where interesting. But the page where I had to tilt my head sideways to read the text you lost me. I think if the text was a little easier to read and the story connected and had flow to it like the first 3 pages I would of bought 20+ copies. Avery I think you have created something beautiful and I look forward to seeing your future books.

Thank you Empyrean Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this cute short bedtime read about our dreams.

Since I was young I always pretended my dreams were a gateway into possibility. When I was younger sometimes I would think when I would dream of someone they were really sharing that dream too.

I think this is a beautiful (every page artistically completed) idea to share with my Littles especially just before they lay down their heads.

Beautiful and imaginative children's book. Whimsical and dreamy with gorgeous illustrations. Great bedtime story because it is calming and may inspire beautiful dreams for adults and kids alike.

‘The hands of time stop after a billion ticks.
The world’s largest lollipop is gone in a billion licks.’

This book is absolutely stunning. I really am just blown away by the artwork. It reminds me of ‘The Rainbow Fish’ with how it’s a blend of paints and metallics. I loved each page’s designs and would definitely recommend getting a physical copy if you can. I only got the ebook and I now want to pick up a physical copy in the future because the pictures are just so lovely.

The font is a little bit hard to read at times due to size/colour, but it’s a nice style, so perhaps it’s an ebook thing and it’ll be more clear in a physical copy. (But this was only very minor and I did read it on my laptop.)

I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more of this author and illustrator in the future!

Enjoyed this colorful, beautiful story. It was different and something I believe children would really like. A cute book to introduce kids to poetry. The art was eye catching and made me enjoy the book even more.

Thanks to NetGalley and Empyrean Press. I received this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. For context, I am a former middle school English teacher with about half a k-12 library masters.

This is a gorgeous trip--a bit like The Magical Mystery Tour or Strawberry Fields meets Dr. Seuss. It's an aesthetic I'd call soporific psychedelia. Parents who know Moshi Kids and "Close Your Eyes SleepyPaws" from the Calm App or YouTube will know what I mean. The art is fabulous and reminds me of The Rainbow Fish and Gustav Klimt a bit.

The basic conceit is to poetically showcase the possibilities that might happen at night while we sleep, such as sunflowers rising in the midnight sky, as posited by the evocative title. Some of the descriptive language really grabbed me, with phrases like "A sand-dollar is traded for a polka-dot rose" that seem at once both mysterious and yet familiar.

However, the meter didn't quite work for me a few times, particularly when there was one line on a page juxtaposed with a couplet on the next. Even in the couplets, the syllables and stress didn't always flow quite right. The vaguely religious allusions to angels and heaven might not work for all families, but I found them harmless.

While the poetry and art work beautifully together, I do think that some design choices impeded readability for the target audience. I think the font is tiny and too hidden on page 8 (the "stairways from heaven..." page) and too light for the background on 14 and 15 ("Trees dance..." through "...beginning his tricks.") Throughout the book, a larger font size with stronger contrast would help the little child or the tired parent at bedtime read more easily.

Those are minor notes. Overall, this is a lovely, lyrical tale especially suited for bedtime and for, as Kermit the Frog might say, "the lovers, the dreamers, and me." I would recommend adding it to a child's bedtime rotation for sure.

This picture book is a credit to the talent of the illustrator, Tang Wei. They were beautiful, whimsical, and moving! If this book was solely the illustrations, it would be a five star book. Where the book lacks is in the poetry and accessibility of the text. I am unsure of who the book is marketed to based on the content of the book. A big miss is where the text is placed and the font/font size that is used. It is clear that the illustrations are the heart of the book as the text is easy to miss and not entirely compelling as poetry.

Beautiful, simply beautiful. Amazing illustration helps you to see exactly what the poetry of this book conveys. A definite must read for anyone who dreams and imagination run wild with possibilities.

I really enjoyed the illustrations. The use of lace, netting, and sequins adding texture appealed to me as a seamstress. I also liked the other collage aspects. The colors were dreamy and the imagery really illustrated the text. Sadly, the text didn't appeal to me and didn't tell a story.

I loved the beautiful illustrations and all the colourful dimensions displayed on the pages. The writing was good too but I found it hard to read where the sentences were placed on some of the pages and it just didn’t make sense to add the writing to those specific places. Other than that, this was a good read full of imaginative concepts.

Sunflowers Rise in a Midnight Sky
by Avery Davis
Beautifully illustrated, the pictures connect to the poetic text. The inspiration is the creativity of the book. The artist uses various types of artistic expression to show the meaning of the text. Students can find connections with the artwork, and poetic imagery.

Reminded me of reading Dr. Seuss as a kid. Incredible imagery, and a perfect quick morning read to step into creativity and magic as an adult, but I imagine it would be a great read for kids before bed.

Small text, that was sometimes hard to find on the page, and would have loved a little more of a story line, but for under 40 pages it is adorable and would definitely reopen it just to look at the artwork.

I've been looking for some good children's poetry books, and this definitely meets my expectations. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and whimsical. They definitely draw your attention, and there is a lot to sit and look at. The poetry is fun and whimsical, too. I really enjoyed reading this. This is definitely a children's book that will inspire imagination and creativity. 
My only issue with this was the layout of the writing. I totally understand why it is the way it is. It matches the whimsical theme of the illustration and poetry. It fits. The issue is that people with dyslexia or other learning disabilities may have trouble reading and understanding it. So while I understand why some of the words are in the layout that way, it doesn't make it very accessible for all.
Even with that being said, this is a very enjoyable children's poetry book. I would definitely get a physical copy of it when it is released.

This is one of the most gorgeous children’s books I have ever read. The poetry of the words mixed with the most beautiful and imaginative illustrations make for a truly magical read. This book will spark creativity in all who read it.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This poetry collection was such a fun and thoughtful read. I loved the colors of these illustrations, and how vibrant and artistic it was. It felt so different from other poetry books I’ve read before. I loved how each poem was unique and special on its own.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with access to read this book!

This was certainly a beautiful book to look at, but I felt as if there was no story line. But if it is to be read as a bedtime book, perhaps it doesn't need one. Maybe it's just the adult in me. I thank NetGalley and Emprean Press for the advance read.

I loved the gorgeous illustrations of this book, but I disliked the nonsensical writing. I understood that the author was going for fantastic world of imagination. However, it was too random for my taste.

That said, I will be looking for more books from this illustrator because the art was beautiful.

Gorgeous illustrations that felt like a blend of Eric Carle and the Rainbow fish. I didn’t love the way the words flowed when reading. I won’t be reading this to my son.

A soothing read that I loved sharing with my son! The colors and shapes blend together to bring the words to life, creating a book full of sweetness and poetry. As an English teacher in France, I'm even thinking of studying an extract in class with my students. Thank you for this wonderful discovery!

Sunflowers Rise in a Midnight Sky is a work of art. To be honest, poetry isn't really my thing but I love these images so so much!
It wasn't always easy to find the phrases among the art. If this was intended, then it worked really well, but there were many pages were I had to search for the text.

Avery Davis' "Sunflowers Rise in a Midnight Sky" has enchanting illustrations that propel readers through the book. Even though the poems weren't quite my style. The art made the book highly enjoyable.
Digital copy provided by NetGalley!

Imaginative and pretty! I so enjoyed the deep shades of blue/turquoise/cerulean/ and shades of purple and green too. I almost feel that it didn't need the text, or perhaps there could be a visual element to separate text from image, because the images were so dynamic. Overall, an enjoyable experience.

This book is absolutely beautiful. The illustrations and writing capture to magic and beauty of where imagination can lead. I loved every page, and will certainly add this to our bedtime story rotation. This will be an excellent book to gift others as well. I may have a new favorite children’s book. I love that the author has a background in environmental law too!

This book has a wealth of possibility to use in the classroom and when creating curriculum. A clear conversation starter, to promote student imagination and finding ways to promote the idea of the impossible becoming possible. The greatest treasure trove here is the illustrations, where so much can be discussed, and used as inspiration. Discussions here can include collage, color, layering, multi-media usage, layering, depth and so much more. From a literacy standpoint, this is a great book to use for inference as many illustrations do not simply depict the words, but force the reader to infer and search the creativity. I can see myself using each page in isolation, after giving the initial premise of the book, "What if when night falls, dreams come true?" I imagine breaking it up so the primary element of the book does not become the rhyming structure, but rather the use if imagination and creativity. I look forward to using this book across many ages - each with a different layer of meaning and focus.

Whimsical lyrics with abstract, whimsical illustrations make this a gorgeous experience. This is ideal for a book to read at bedtime. So much imagination!
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this