After the Fall How Humpty Got Back Up Again

I am always looking for alternate fairy tales and nursery rhymes. When I saw Dan Santat's After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again) I decided to borrow it from the library to see if it was worth adding to my list of alternate titles.

This is actually a different kind of tale than the ones I usually write about for my alternate tale reviews. Other than changing the premise that the King didn't have the resources to put Humpty back together again, the story doesn't try to change the basic premise that Humpty liked to climb and fell. It instead is aimed at teaching children how to cope with a painful, scary accident that can lead to someone not wanting to do something again.

In this story after his fall Humpty doesn't want to resume wall climbling even though prior to his fall it was a great passion. He simply can't face the thought of the damage he could do to himself again. The author doesn't push Humpty up the ladder again, but instead leads Humpty there by acknowledging that his fears are logical and giving him some time to heal by exploring a new interest. Mind you this is a picture book so it isn't a long healing process, but it does give the reader enough time to understand that Humpty isn't giving up climbing forever, but he needed time to deal with his near death experience and to realize accidents do happen, it is just a part of life. There is no way to live an accident free life. Through his new hobby, Humpty comes to terms with the reality that nothing he does will be safe from accidents and he resumes his climbing.

This book packed a powerful message and it would be good to share with children because at some point most kids deal with fear, frustration, accidents, and failures. This book isn't the solution, but it is a way of talking about how hard it is to want to try again and how with time it is possible to overcome fears and challenges and to try again.

Humpty Dumpty Jr. Hardboiled Detective: The Case of the Fiendish Flapjack Flop

If you have read any of my previous reviews, you know I love alternate nursery rhyme and fairy tale stories. I am also a huge fan of detective stories for children. I think they help developing readers with comprehension skills like predication, sequencing, timelines, and a range of other important skills. Students who are reluctant to read, sometimes can be drawn into mysteries, especially those that combine mystery with a bit of humor.

The Case of the Fiendish Flapjack Flop (Humpty Dumpty Jr., Hard Boiled Detective) is the first book in what appears to be a two book series. I have the second one from the library to review later. I was hoping the authors had produced more, because the characters and the premise of an egg detective were promising.

Humpty's detective character is based on the old movie detectives, right down to his trench coat and hat. Humpty's eggshell creates a bit of a challenge most of the movie PI's never had to work around, but Humpty manages. In the opening pages we learn that Humpty has been a rather successful detective working with some of literature's great characters including Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz and Christopher Robin from Winnie the Pooh. However, we soon learn that he has one unsolved case, the death of his father that still haunts him. He also has a nemesis Johnny Cakes whom he has captured and jailed more than once who has escaped from prison and has plans for chaos.

Against the backdrop of Johnny Cakes escape Humpty gets a case, Patty Cakes is in trouble. He grabs his magic wand, which to most of us resembles a very familiar kitchen instrument, and heads off to help his friend. He finds evidence of a struggle, but no Patty Cakes. His clues lead him to the Knave of Hearts where the reader is reminded of Alice's experiences with the Queen of Hearts.

Humpty picks up a human teenage sidekick and continues to encounter nursery rhyme, fairy tale, and children's classic literature characters along his path to discovering the fate of Patty Cakes. The story does have a few twists as Humpty follows the clues to their logical conclusions. We learn about the origins of one of the characters, which explain the reason for Patty's situation. She ultimately demonstrates forgiveness and the story is resolved. I am looking forward to reading The Mystery of Merlin and the Gruesome Ghost (Humpty Dumpty, Jr., Hardboiled Detective)so I can review it as well.

Humpty Dumpty Climbs Again

In Humpty Dumpty Climbs Again David Horowitz tells an interesting story of what happens to Humpty after he recovers from his fall.

After struggling to put Humpty together again, the King's horses and men decide to consult with a doctor who tells Humpty he must be more careful. Humpty takes this to heart and rarely leaves the house. The Kings men and horses take to mocking him about his new found caution.

The Dish comes to visit Humpty to convince him he needs to get out of his chair and return to the brave egg he once was, failing he runs away with the Spoon. When he returns to watching TV a spider drops down and frightens Humpty out of his house causing a Little Dog to laugh at the sight.

Despondent, Humpty heads for the hills. For old time’s sake, he tries climbing when he reaches the wall. There he discovers the King's Men with climbing ropes and fears they will mock him once again.

The King's men have their own problem. Seeing their climbing gear, Humpty hitches himself up and begins climbing with safety ropes. Humpty not only gets his courage back, but also is able to save the day.

This is a great alternate Humpty story and it teaches a valuable lesson about overcoming fear and using tools.