After the Fall, the newest picture book by Caldecott medalist Dan Santat, is not just for kids. I know I say that about a lot of books. I truly believe that a picture book is a work of visual and literary art. The best of them are beautiful, rich, and deep. Of course children can enjoy them — children can enjoy Beethoven, too. But that doesn’t mean grownups should avoid Beethoven. Beauty is for everyone.
And After the Fall is most certainly beautiful. And it is most certainly for everyone. Everyone who has ever suffered from anxiety. Everyone who has ever been afraid. Everyone.
And while it is a picture book, and an epilogue to a nursery rhyme, Santat wrote it for adults. Or, rather, he wrote it for one specific adult. He wrote it as a love letter to his wife.
Humpty’s Story
After the Fall is the story of what comes after Humpty Dumpty’s great fall. The nursery rhyme tells us that all the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put Humpty together again.
Humpty clarifies that for us. The men at King’s County Hospital did, in fact, put him back together. Mostly. But, Humpty tells us, “there were some parts that couldn’t be healed with bandages and glue.”
The part of Humpty that loved being up high among the birds was shattered. Not the love. The love was still there. But after the accident, Humpty was afraid. And that fear separated him from everything he loved. The birds, of course. But it affected his relationship with everything in his life. Even his bed and his breakfast cereal.
Eventually, he took up bird-watching again. But not from atop the wall. He watched with his feet safely on the ground. It wasn’t the same. But it was the best he could do.
I love Humpty’s plain, matter-of-fact voice as he explains what happened to him. And I love the fact that there is nowhere in the story any blame for his fear. There is no shame. Accidents happen. It’s not your fault.
I also just adore the way that Humpty’s love for birds pulls him, little by little, out of the fear. St. John the Beloved told us that there is no fear in love, that perfect love casts out fear. And Humpty’s love helps him see the next step, and gives him the courage to take it. Bird-watching from the ground. Then joining the birds virtually, using a paper airplane.
No Spoilers!
Until the end … I’m not going to tell you what happens at the end. Usually, I don’t care about spoilers. I mean, I read Shakespeare, right? And I know how those stories end. And usually, I feel obliged to tell you how the books I review end, because you might want to know that before you get the book for your child. But with After the Fall, I want you to experience the end of the story with Humpty. It’s not like you won’t enjoy the book as much once you know how it ends. There is so much in this story to love, and as much as the ending is a surprise, it gets richer and deeper every time you read the book. You’ll love it more every time you read it. I certainly have!
But the ending of this story is so masterful, and so compelling. You come to what would have been the ending, had any lesser writer created it. And then Santat keeps going. The ending becomes a new beginning for Humpty. And you deserve to experience the ending, and the beginning, the way Santat wrote it, without any interference from me.
The Art
Oh, the art! Santat won the Caldecott Medal for his previous book, The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, so you know he’s a fabulous illustrator. And when you see the cover of After the Fall, you’ know it’s going to be special. The publisher pulled out all the stops. Even the dust jacket is gorgeous! The title is embossed. There’s spot varnish, which catches your eye and draws you to the most important elements. And under the dust jacket (which shows Humpty sitting high atop his wall), there’s a second cover design showing Humpty falling. The whole package is just gorgeous.
Of course, the art in a picture book ought to be more than gorgeous. It ought to help tell the story. It ought to say things about the character and the plot that you wouldn’t know from the words alone.
And Santat’s illustrations do exactly that. The illustrations in After the Fall tell you that Humpty is a famous bird watcher. The illustrations tell you how much Humpty’s fear is separating him from the things he loves. The illustrations let you see reminders of his accident. Reminders that Humpty can never really avoid.
And the illustrations, with their subtle use of color, and their imaginative use of perspective, let you feel what Humpty feels. The isolation, the sparation, the fear, the longing, are all there, in the pictures. And all those feelings lead you to Humpty’s glorious triumph at the end of the book. If it doesn’t make you cry with joy, you’re made of sterner stuff than I am.
Read More
The best picture books with disabled characters: Children who do not have disabilities need books with disabled characters just as much as disabled children do. And this list will help you find some terrific books for the children you love.
17 essential picture books for Orthodox Christian kids: If you’re looking for picture books that include stories about Orthodox Christian people and traditions, you’ll find them on this list.
Snook Alone: The story of a real dog and a cartoon monk: This is a story of loss and longing … and love. I love every single word of this beautiful story. The illustrations, not so much.
Buy the Books!
These delightful books will diversify your bookshelves with disability representation. Elizabeth, one of the main characters, is an ambulatory wheelchair user.
Catherine’s Pascha
FINALIST IN THE 2015 USA BEST BOOK AWARDS
Catherine doesn’t like vegetables. She doesn’t like naps. She doesn’t like it when her mom combs her hair. She loves hot dogs, chocolate cake, and her best friend, Elizabeth. Most of all, she loves Pascha! Pascha, the Orthodox Christian Easter, is celebrated in the middle of the night, with processions and candles and bells and singing. And Catherine insists that she’s not a bit sleepy.
Celebrate the joy of Pascha through the magic of a book: Catherine’s Pascha. Available on Amazon, Bookshop.org, and my webstore.
The Saint Nicholas Day Snow
Shoes or stockings? Horse or sleigh? Does St. Nicholas visit on December 6 or on Christmas Eve? Will a little girl’s prayer be answered? When Elizabeth has to stay at Catherine’s house, she’s worried about her grandmother, and worried that St. Nicholas won’t find her. The grownups, though, are worried about snow.
Celebrate the wonder of St. Nicholas Day through the magic of a book: The Saint Nicholas Day Snow. Available on Amazon, Bookshop.org, or my webstore.
