After The Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again. Written and illustrated by Dan Santat. Raoring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2017. $24.99 ages 5 and up

"Making planes was
harder than I thought.
It was easy to get cuts
and scratches.
But, day after day,
I kept trying ...
... and trying ...
until I got it just
right.
My plane was perfect,
and it flew ... "

Poor Humpty Dumpty! What is an egg to do after falling off the wall? The king's men are able to put him back together, but they cannot fix all of his parts. They can do nothing about the miserable change in his perspective.

We learn that his favorite pastime prior to his terrifying fall was bird watching. He loved being close to them, and watching their every move. Following the fall, he must face his new fear of heights. So many things have changed for him as he tries to deal with the sadness and the terror. He sleeps on the floor, rather than on his bunk bed. He can no longer reach his most favorite cereal from the top shelf. He wants to see himself returning to the top of the wall. He can't do it.

He turns to making paper airplanes, finding solace in the heights they can reach. One is perfect, and he loves it. So, when it flies onto the wall by mistake, he must make a brave decision. He has taken so long to design and perfect it. He has missed out on a lot while he did that work. Is he willing to let it go?

"I decided I was going to climb that wall.
But the higher I got,
the more nervous I felt.
I didn't want to admit it:
I was terrified.
I didn't look up.
I didn't look down."

 Using cool and warm colors, Dan Santat manipulates our emotions to understand what a tough time Humpty is having in returning to his old self. His story moves from season to season, allowing growth. When he is feeling good about himself, color tones change to reflect his happiness and wonder. Having begun in the darkness of winter watching his beloved birds from afar, then moving toward warmth of spring and kite flying, he gains confidence. The wall perspectives have readers feeling as if they are beside and behind him while he climbs higher and higher. Achieving success is meaningful and teaches Humpty that when we no longer give power to our fears, everything changes.

Sensitive, inspiring and filled with strong emotion, this book will find favor with everyone who shares it. At times humorous and uplifting, it is also a mirror for many children as they deal with their own fears.

http://www.allthewonders.com/podcasts/dan-santat-all-the-wonders-episode-392/