After the Fall by Dan Santat

Title: After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again)
Author: Dan Santat
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Publication date: October 3, 2017
Pages: 40
Source/format: Publisher//Finished Copy

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from amazon.com):

From the New York Times–bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend comes the inspiring epilogue to the beloved classic nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty.

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.

M Y  T H O U G H T S

Everyone one knows about the story of Humpty Dumpty and how he sat on a wall and then had a great fall. He is well known due to a popular nursery rhyme. Santat added more to the story by incorporating what Humpty Dumpty learned from the fall.

The King's men were able to put Humpty Dumpty back together again but there were wounds that didn't heal. These invisible wounds such as being afraid of heights took awhile for Humpty Dumpty to overcome. It became so apparent that he couldn't even enjoy some of his favorite things anymore. Humpty Dumpty tries alternatives to still enjoy his favorite things but eventually he had to overcome his fear in order to persevere. 

Santat teaches little ones and pretty much anyone who reads the After The Fall that everyone can overcome their fears. If a fear is interfering with you enjoying a favorite thing, one must overcome that fear. Also, Santat discusses about accidents and how accidents happen. One must learn how to adjust if an accident occurs. Sometimes you will need to overcome a fear as an result of an accident aftermath. It's okay to be nervous and terrified. It's okay to be worried and thinking you might not make it. Just keep moving one step at a time toward to goal. Taking baby steps will help achieve a goal with less fear. 

Santat's illustrations are remarkably wonderful! The timeless muted color palette reminds me of Mike Curato's Little Elliot, Big City. The ending was unexpected but it works beautifully with the motto of the book. The dust jacket has the title of the book in a raised semi-spot glossed type while the rest of the cover is matte. Humty Dumpty sitting on a while is also semi-spot glossed. Removing the dust jacket reveals a wonderful illustration of Humpty Dumpty falling with from the sky. Birds and a pair of binoculars are seen in the sky.

After the Fall is a wonderful and inspirational book for all ages. It's the type of book that will help readers feel at ease when they make mistakes. This is a classic story about overcoming fears when you are afraid. It's okay to fall but as long as you get back up, everything is okay.