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Did you ever consider what type of egg Humpty Dumpty was? After the Fall by Dan Santat is the perfect New Year read-aloud for elementary classrooms or during field trips to the library. Use these discussion questions and extension activities during your next school outreach event, classroom visit, book club, or book party.
This heartfelt children's picture book has broad appeal for ages 5 through 12 and features themes of fear, perseverance, transformation, and new beginnings. The illustrations are an exceptional example of visual storytelling and are great for sharing with a group because of their scale and depth. I have yet to find a class of kindergarten through fifth-grade students who have not been in awe of the final spread and enraptured by the story.
How to introduce the book
Here is an intro script to set the stage for students before reading the book aloud:
"Have you ever heard the nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty? Is anyone willing to raise their hand and tell me what happened to him?...
Exactly, he fell off a wall! Did the King's horses and men put him back together again? No! Have you ever wondered what Humpty's life would have been like if they HAD put him back together? That's the premise of this book, and I bet you'll be more surprised by the ending than any other book you've read. Willing to take that bet? Ok, here we go..."
Discussion Questions
Here are some follow-up questions for further engagement:
What did you think? Thumbs up or thumbs down for After the Fall?
Were you surprised by the ending? What else could he have turned into if Humpty had not been a bird? How would those stories be different?
Is there anything you've ever been too afraid to do but you did it anyway and were successful, like Humpty climbing back up on the wall?
How did Humpty's fear affect his daily activities?
What did Humpty mean when he said, "There were some parts that couldn't be healed with bandages and glue"?
If you could turn into any animal, which one would it be? Why?
tAKE HOME ACTIVITY
Providing an extension activity for students to enjoy after you leave OR to take home will cement your visit in their minds and increase the likelihood that caregivers become aware of the library.
Provide students with blank paper to draw their favorite scene from the story OR a bird coloring page (such as this one from PatternUniverse) to design what THEIR internal bird would look like. Include a note to parents and caregivers on the backside of the sheet, along with the library's contact info, read-alikes for the story you read, and a list of upcoming events for their age group.
More Extension Activities
If time and budget allow, here are more activities to enjoy with After the Fall or to use in a Book Club or Book Party!
Paper Flying Birds (aka Planes)
Make paper birds and test their flying ability! All you will need is paper, markers/colored pencils to decorate your bird, and scissors if you want to add flair to the wings and tail feathers. For instructions, try one of these options:
The Bird Paper Airplane Folding Instructions from Fold 'N Fly
Bird Paper Fly Craft Tutorial YouTube video from Sis Art & Craft Ideas
Alternative ENdings
What do you think happened after the following nursery rhymes, or how could they have ended differently? Pick one and write a quick story:
Little Bo-Peep
Little Miss Muffett
Row Row Row Your Boat
Itsy Bitsy Spider
Read-Alikes
If your readers loved After the Fall, they will also enjoy:
Don't forget, if you don't love the book, the kids won't either. If you read After the Fall and decide it's not your cup of tea, that's ok! Visit The Youth Desk's Outreach page for more great classroom read-alouds and tips.
