After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again)
Ages 4 to 8Listed among picture books about courage and facing fears. The blogger describes Humpty’s paper-airplane plan and the wall he has to face.
Recommended by Imagination Soup
Ages 4 to 7Equal Shmequal
Ages 4 to 7About this age guidance
Kirkus: 4–7
The age tag follows Kirkus review. Other sources may suggest different ages. This is audience guidance, not an independent reading level.
Recommended for an enjoyable story about the different meanings of equal.
The animals want a fair tug-of-war, but their first ways of dividing into teams do not work. A seesaw helps them compare weight. Even a balanced arrangement needs participation, adding effort to their discussion of equality.
Good forFairness complaints
Recommended by Musings of a Mathematical Mom
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What children see in the story
The animals reconsider divisions that look equal but are not fair, then test a better arrangement. They examine why equal numbers fail and later why balanced weight alone still does not settle the contest.
Why it’s on these shelves
- Fairness
- Mouse and Bear try a tug-of-war with teams that aren’t fair. Dividing the animals by food, fur or number doesn’t work, and a seesaw finally helps them balance the sides by weight.
- Cause and effect
- When the teams are uneven, Mouse and Bear try to work out why. Equal numbers don’t fix it, and balanced weight doesn’t either until Bear’s distraction shows that everyone has to make an effort.
Why pick it up?
Fairness requires looking at the relevant differences and the effort people contribute.
A note for parents
Experimenting with fairness dominates. The contest is not described as humiliating the weaker animals.
Where this recommendation comes from
Musings of a Mathematical Mom
Recommended for an enjoyable story about the different meanings of equal.
Read Musings of a Mathematical Mom’s recommendationSources and review status
We have checked source descriptions and drafted the value mapping. We have not personally reviewed the full book. The value labels, situation assignments, and parent notes remain provisional.
Publisher or literacy resource · Original recommendation
Our explanation of the value fit is separate from the original reviewer’s judgment. Their inclusion here does not imply an endorsement of Stories for Growing.
Another good example
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Scaredy Squirrel
Ages 4 to 8Called a classic picture book about fear. The parent says children will laugh at his over-preparation and cheer when he finally leaves the tree.
Recommended by What Do We Do All Day?