New Children's Book!

ALthough I think that I should focus more on one particular subject, I constantly find myself working on several projects at the same time. This one is a color study for a new children's book I'm working on right now. I have a story outline, I have a character and some sort of direction for the art. The thing I'm struggling with at this point is: How do I turn night time into colorful illustrations and at the same time create iconic and recognizable artwork?

You maybe thinking: Why don't you make it daylight? Well, the story can only exist in the night time.