Overview
An inspirational gift for graduation After the Fall is an affirming story of triumph and overcoming fears, told through a clever twist on the beloved classic Humpty Dumpty.
From the New York Times-bestselling creator of Caldecott Medal winner, The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, comes a moving tale of courage and healing. Everyone knows that when Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. But what happened after? Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat's poignant tale follows Humpty Dumpty, an avid bird watcher whose favorite place to be is high up on the city wall--that is, until after his famous fall. Now terrified of heights, Humpty can longer do many of the things he loves most. Will he summon the courage to face his fear? After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again) is a masterful picture book that will remind readers of all ages that Life begins when you get back up. Share this book with readers seeking:- A gentle and inspirational story for children dealing with anxiety.
- Themes about new beginnings and overcoming obstacles in life.
- A celebration of accomplishments and triumph.
- Family favorite books that become household classics.
- A story to share with students and teachers. Perfect for graduation An NPR Best Book of the Year
NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Winner
A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book
A New York Times Notable Children's Book
A New York City Public Library Notable Best Book for Kids
A Chicago Public Library Best Book
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book
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Details
- ISBN-13: 9781626726826
- ISBN-10: 1626726825
- Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
- Publish Date: October 2017
- Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.8 x 0.5 inches
- Shipping Weight: 1.05 pounds
- Page Count: 40
- Reading Level: Ages 4-8
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Putting himself back together
In this contemporary and sensitive twist on the classic “Humpty Dumpty” rhyme, Dan Santat offers a story about persistence in the face of anxiety.
On the title-page spread, we see delicate Humpty midfall. He loves to watch birds but has taken an inadvertent dive from his favorite bird-watching spot. “It was just an accident,” he tells us. “But it changed my life.” The fall, despite being put back together again at Kings County Hospital, leaves him anxious and afraid of heights. He misses his favorite pastime and misses the birds, but worry and apprehension debilitate him.
His solution is to build a bird out of paper. When his soaring creation gets stuck atop the wall, Humpty decides to climb it once again. His triumphant arrival at the top is encouraging and altogether heartening, as Humpty tells us that perhaps now we won’t think of him as “that egg who was famous for falling.” But in an unexpected twist, Santat wraps up the story with an exuberant surprise, a moment of exhilarating freedom.
In this tale about resilience in the face of adversity and refusing to let worry get in the way of life, Santat avoids heavy-handedness and communicates a lot with color, light and perspective. The final two spreads showing Humpty’s liberation are breathtaking.
A good egg. A very good egg.
This article was originally published in the October 2017 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.
Putting himself back together
In this contemporary and sensitive twist on the classic “Humpty Dumpty” rhyme, Dan Santat offers a story about persistence in the face of anxiety.
On the title-page spread, we see delicate Humpty midfall. He loves to watch birds but has taken an inadvertent dive from his favorite bird-watching spot. “It was just an accident,” he tells us. “But it changed my life.” The fall, despite being put back together again at Kings County Hospital, leaves him anxious and afraid of heights. He misses his favorite pastime and misses the birds, but worry and apprehension debilitate him.
His solution is to build a bird out of paper. When his soaring creation gets stuck atop the wall, Humpty decides to climb it once again. His triumphant arrival at the top is encouraging and altogether heartening, as Humpty tells us that perhaps now we won’t think of him as “that egg who was famous for falling.” But in an unexpected twist, Santat wraps up the story with an exuberant surprise, a moment of exhilarating freedom.
In this tale about resilience in the face of adversity and refusing to let worry get in the way of life, Santat avoids heavy-handedness and communicates a lot with color, light and perspective. The final two spreads showing Humpty’s liberation are breathtaking.
A good egg. A very good egg.
This article was originally published in the October 2017 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.