After the Fall
Bibliographic Information:
Santat, Dan. (2017). After the Fall. New York, New York: Roaring Book Press.
Summary:
After the Fall is the sequel to the nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty and what happens after his fall off the wall. The story explains his new fears and how something can change the way you see the word and live your life.
One of my favorites to share with children:
After the Fall is a wonderful story to share with students. I use this story at the beginning of the school year. It is story that allows students to share their fears of being in a new class, new school or of the work that they are expected to learn. It shows you just have to take it one step at a time. After the Fall has one of the best surprise endings I have found in a children’s book.
Evaluation of After the Fall:
Dan Sanat creates a pace in After the Fall that creates a flow of the text. The use of the ellipse requires the reader to pause or turn the page. This creates excitement.
Sanat use of angular shapes to create an urban setting that has perspective. The use of curved shapes represents the eggs on this community. The repetition of the wall towering over Humpty allows his fear to always be present in the story. The use of the repeated use of ladders is looming of the journey that Humpty must take in order to conquer his fear of heights.
The use composition to show the boxes of cereal allows the reader to see what Humpty is missing out on. The “yummy” cereals are portrayed in bright hues where the cereals that can be reached by Humpty are portrayed in achromatic colors. Sanat use of white negative space allows the reader to focus on specific areas or images of the page. Different values of color are used to create shadows. A great example of Sanat creates the shadow of the wall that allows the reader to understand what Humpy must face to conquer his fear.