Bright, poetic, and beautiful! The illustrations are so engaging and the story/poem flows sweetly next to them encouraging you to look closer. This book sparks inspiration to look at things in a new way, and imagine the way things could be. Definitely a book to read over-and-over again.

This was so dreamy and beautiful and whimsical and creative and inspiring and ... !!!

I fell in love with the art style with the cover already but had so much fun reading through these beautiful pages. As someone who draws herself, this sure got me inspired.

I don't have children, so I can't speak for someone with kids, but I can imagine that kids would love this as well. There's so much to discover on these pages.

Thanks to NetGalley and empyrean press for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“Books open and read themselves aloud. Receiving boisterous applause from the crowd.”

Sunflowers Rise in a Midnight Sky is a fantastical picture book that brings a child’s imagination to life. Through a sequence of surreal imagery and poetic lines, the reader embarks on a journey of dreams and what-ifs. What if Saturn’s rings fell from the sky? What if street signs could tell us secrets? What if the grass turned purple? These questions, along with many others, are explored in mixed-media illustrations that effortlessly catch the eye. Fostering a visionary space for children, Sunflowers Rise in a Midnight Sky falls under a unique category of picture books that lead one to ponder the curiosities of life.

Avery Davis masterfully reels us into a dreamlike state with her wording choices and the rhythm she creates on the page. The rhyme schemes allow the words to flow in a lyrical manner where the book feels as if it’s reading itself to you. Likewise, the structure of the lines flowing freely on the page, literally making you tilt your head, constructs an interactive experience that lets you fully dive into the story. There’s not one second when you want to peel your eyes from the pages. Though the small text on some pages occasionally makes it difficult to read, the overall design was pleasing to the eye. With the addition of Tang Wei’s colorful and textural illustrations, the book immerses its readers into an ingenious world that children are bound to adore. The illustrations are wondrous, incorporating a multitude of textures that pop-out on the page. The imagery is bright, shimmery, tangible, and completely original. Whether you’re a child or an adult, this book is a must read. It embraces curiosity and wonder in the most beautiful way. Sunflowers Rise in a Midnight Sky gives children a glimpse into a magical realm of creativity where dreams really do come to life.

Such a sweet collection of poetry and art; it brought me back to being a child and the stories I would come up with as I fell asleep. The art style was akin to a colorful children’s surrealism style and complimented the author’s work beautifully.

Take a whimsical journey through a land of dreams, where cows graze on purple grass and Saturn’s rings fall to Earth casting rainbows in the sky. This lushly illustrated book in lyrical verse is sure to bring sweet dreams of a magical world where hummingbirds sing lullabies and angels share their wings so that others can fly. This book is a great match for fans of It’s Time to Sleep My Love.

A fantastical story of impossible things that can only happen in a dream world. The illustrations are as dreamy as the descriptions and I can tell that kids and grownups alike will get lost in the beautiful visuals.

A whimsical picture book full of color describing dreams becoming reality. I think this would make a great bedtime story, and the illustrations are so beautiful and complex.

My GOODNESS! I cannot say enough how incredible the illustrations in this book are! I forgot to continue reading due to getting lost in the vibrancy of them, but thankfully my daughter nudged me along :) This book is truly gorgeous. I love the simple yet enriching text and its sweet, soft flow. This is an excellent bedtime read for all ages. I'm eager to have a physical copy for our shelves!

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC! All opinions are my own.

Avery Davis' "Sunflowers Rise in a Midnight Sky" is an exquisite tapestry woven with threads of resilience, redemption, and the human spirit's indomitable ability to flourish amidst adversity. From the very first page, Davis invites readers into a world where darkness and light dance in an intricate choreography, leaving an indelible mark on the soul.

The narrative follows the journey of Sarah, a young woman grappling with the aftermath of tragedy, as she navigates the labyrinthine corridors of grief and self-discovery. Davis' prose is luminous, painting vivid landscapes of emotion and thought with every stroke of her pen. Through Sarah's eyes, we bear witness to the fragile beauty of life, the profoundness of love, and the transformative power of forgiveness.

What sets "Sunflowers Rise in a Midnight Sky" apart is its ability to resonate on a deeply personal level while simultaneously addressing universal themes. Davis tackles complex issues such as loss, mental health, and the search for meaning with grace and sensitivity, infusing each page with authenticity and raw emotion.

Furthermore, the characters in this novel are intricately drawn, each possessing their own vulnerabilities and strengths. Sarah's journey is not one of linear progression but rather a series of ebbs and flows, mirroring the unpredictability of life itself. As she confronts her inner demons and grapples with her past, readers are reminded of the inherent beauty in human imperfection.

At its core, "Sunflowers Rise in a Midnight Sky" is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the healing power of love. Davis' prose is lyrical and evocative, weaving a spellbinding tale that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned. This is a book that demands to be savored, its words serving as a beacon of hope in even the darkest of nights.

In conclusion, "Sunflowers Rise in a Midnight Sky" is a triumph of storytelling, showcasing Avery Davis' talent for crafting narratives that are as poignant as they are profound. For anyone seeking solace, inspiration, or simply a captivating read, this book is not to be missed.

The illustrations are beautifully created but I feel like the type is small. I think the idea was to give off a magical appearance by moving around the text but not sure it is working for the story. Kids will more than likely enjoy the pictures though. It reads more like a picture book.

Love Always, Catherine Johnson

I was absolutely mesmerized by the art work in this book from the colors, to the textures, to the items drawn in the pages. I could sit and study the pages all day. It’s a great book of what-ifs.

Honestly, you don't even have to read this book to enjoy it.
The illustrations are stunning. Colorful and vibrant and creating movement on each page.
What a fun visual treat.

The illustrations are beautiful but the white type us difficult to read. The author describes a world where unusual dreams come true.

Beautifully illustrated children's book, with lovely text. Sometimes text does seem to lack a bit of ease of flow. This may hold me back from using it in children's programming in the library. However, this is a beautiful book I think is enjoyable overall.

Ok the illustrations and artwork are unmatched. Absolutely stunning. The mixed-media look, paired with the font type and style is reminiscent of picture books from the 90s - in a good way. The appeal for this book is totally the "picture" part of the book. The writing is quirky and cute, but the beat is off. Often the words rhymed - then randomly there would be a page without rhymes. I wonder if it's a symptom of reading this as an eBook and maybe there's more obvious writing on pages in a physical copy? Either way, you purchase the book because of the artwork, not the storyline (of which there is none). I received this ARC from NetGalley and Avery Davis in exchange for an honest review.

This is a dreamy, make-believe concept book that asks lots of what-if and impossible questions. It's definitely something that would appeal to a niche audience; perhaps it would work best as a creative writing lesson, or for older children who like to question lots of things. It is very nonsensical but the illustrations are absolutely beautiful and I highly recommend using this book for an art lesson. I think the illustrator did a gorgeous job creating a dream-like sequence throughout the book, and it would be a great addition for an art teacher's library.

The artwork is so stunning! I loved how the illustrator used mixed-media for all the pages. It gave a 'chaotic' but 'aesthetic' look and I like that.

Personally, I felt that the text was on the weaker side, in comparison to the artwork, but I liked the lyrical aspect. It was a bit abstract, but still enjoyable.

The illustrations in this book are absolutely phenomenal. Whimsical, fantastical, gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous! The subjects remind me a bit of Dr Seuss and his world and imagination, but drawn in a more whimsical fashion. So vivid and bright and colourful! Absolutely superb.

I wish the text was just as whimsical too. It has potential, but it's not really going there.

“Sunflowers Rise in Midnight Sky,” written by Avery Davis and illustrated by Tang Wei, is extremely well-done by all teams involved. I am an educator for elementary children in search of good books to captivate the attention of my young ones and to help foster their love for reading, imagination, and sense of wonder. This is an excellent choice! I would most definitely recommend to educators, parents, individuals who want to share an enchanting reading experience with their loved ones, or anyone of ANY age who simply enjoys beautiful and calming artwork partnered with ideas straight from a wondrous, fantastical dreamland.

“What if when night falls, dreams come true?”

The ideas to follow in each page—poetry and vibrant, whimsical imagery, alike— are creative and effectively appealed to my “inner child.” If I, an adult, adored this book and felt that it filled me with wonder, I can easily advocate for this book as one that will be a huge hit with the kiddos!

[Thank you to NetGalley, Empyrean Press, and Avery Davis for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.]

I absolutely love the cover and the illustrations in the book. I had a difficult time reading this as I couldn’t find a cadence to the writing. I found that to be very frustrating.