After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again)

Description

Everyone knows that when Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. But what happened after? This captivating picture book from Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat follows Humpty Dumpty, an avid bird watcher who loves to be high up on the city wall. But after his fall, Humpty is terrified of heights and can no longer do his favourite things. He finally pulls together the courage to climb back up the wall. In a surprise twist, Humpty transforms, turning into a magnificent bird, and learns that sometimes you have to fall... before you can fly.

Dan Santat is the Caldecott Medal-winning and New York Times-bestselling author and illustrator of The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend and the road trip/time travel adventure Are We There Yet? His artwork is also featured in numerous picture books, chapter books, and middle-grade novels, including Dav Pilkey's Ricky Ricotta series. Dan lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, and many, many pets. dantat.com

"Santat gives full weight to the power of fear, which can daunt anyone who has been injured, before showing Humpty Dumpty's eventual triumph with an inventive ending that is nothing short of exhilarating." --Wall Street Journal "I was so genuinely surprised by the book's conclusion that I won't spoil it. It's always gratifying to see how an artist can turn even the most familiar tale into something new." --New York Times "Dan Santat's hilariously touching story and magnificent illustrations give Humpty new life as he confronts his debilitating fear. The final twist in this totally original next chapter of a Mother Goose's classic offers a stunningly triumphant ending that will take your breath away." --NPR "A validating and breathtaking next chapter of a Mother Goose favorite." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review "More than a nursery rhyme remix, Santat's story speaks boldly to the grip of fear and trauma, and to the exhilaration of mastering it." --Publishers Weekly, starred review "The author gives wings to both his protagonist and his message about the importance of getting back up after a fall and the realization that recovering from a trauma takes time." --Booklist, starred review "Santat's precise illustrations and sensitive text combine for more emotional depth than the typical nursery rhyme remix. A terrific redemptive read-aloud for storytime and classroom sharing." --School Library Journal, starred review "Luminous." --Horn Book, starred review "Authentically exhilarating." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "Instead of resting on his laurels, Dan Santat soars above them. I loved this!" --Dav Pilkey, creator of the Captain Underpants series and The Paperboy (Caldecott Honor)