Parts

Parts is a classic book that brings the conversation of bodily changes (in young kids who are elementary school aged) into a picture book. Arnold does an excellent job of making light of some of these changes that truly happen to children by exaggerating those occurrences fully. He does this in order to derive some humor from it and to engage his readers. For example, when the main character realizes that his tooth is coming loose, his reactions go from simply worried to absolutely horrified – “As scared as I can be, ‘cause finally what’s happening is very clear to see – the glue that holds our parts together isn’t holding me!!!”. Throughout this book, the author’s writing follows a rhyming scheme which includes a steady show more pace of text that is engaging and fun to follow. The text in itself is humorous, for example; “then yesterday, before my bath, as I took off my clothes, a chunk of something gray and wet fell right out of my nose.” This quote is definitely blowing the whole situation out of proportion, but it is exactly what some kids actually believe when they notice changes with their bodies. While this children’s picture book is funny, which adds to its appeal to young readers, it also brings up a relevant question/point in children’s lives when they want to know what is happening with their bodies. At the end of this book, Arnold leaves the reader with a message that it is all normal and to talk to your parents, which can bring the reader some relief, but it is also laced with humor to continue on with the literary pattern that is present throughout the book. show less

A young boy becomes seriously alarmed when he notices that certain bodily functions - hair coming out on his comb, lint forming in his navel, a tooth loosening - seem to indicate that he is coming unglued. Is his body coming apart - disintegrating into its constituent parts? Or have his parents simply neglected to tell him some of the facts of life...?

Young children will enjoy being "in the know" as they listen to this entertaining picture-book from author/illustrator Tedd Arnold. With a rhyming text that is fun to read aloud, and colorful artwork that accentuates the madcap humor of the story, Parts is sure to please, and would make an excellent story-time selection. Recommended to young children who enjoy somewhat silly humor, and to show more anyone looking for fun read-aloud picture-books in rhyme. show less

In this book we are greeted by a charming little boy who goes about his day the way any normal boy would....until he starts to notice some strange things going on with his body. There's gooey stuff coming out of his ears and nose, the skin is peeling from his toes, some gray stuff that looks like stuffing is coming out of his belly button! The boy starts to panic and thinks that he is falling apart piece by piece. He attempts to tape himself back together until his parents find him and explain that these things are normal and happen to everyone. They assure him that he is not coming apart at the seams. A great book for kids to learn some of the things that their body does over time. Also a really fun and funny book for them too.

Parts is a CRF picture book about a young boy who is freaking out because he thinks his body is falling apart. He learns that there is nothing to be afraid of because these things are perfectly normal and happen to everyone.

I can relate to the little boy in this book! I can remember telling my mom that I was going to be bald because some of my hair came out when I was in the shower. I enjoyed this book and I think it could be helpful to lots of young children.

This book is appropriate to read to kindergarten students so they can be comfortable and familiar with their body and of its “parts.” Students could also pick a topic (hair, teeth…) and learn facts like how fast hair grows, how many teeth they have, etc.

The young narrator has discovered a disturbing trend: There's fuzz in his belly button his toes are peeling and something just fell out of his nose. The last straw is a loose tooth, which convinces him of the awful truth his parts are coming unglued!Parts deals with a subject of deepest interest to every young child: the stuff our bodies shed. Parents will appreciate the reassuring message that it's all quite normal, while Tedd Arnold's comical illustrations and rhyming text are guaranteed to make young readers laugh their heads off.

Summary: This books is about a little boy that is afraid of things falling out of his body, like hair, skin, teeth. He becomes increasingly concerned about all of these things until his parents tell him it's all normal. He said so relived until he discovers ear wax, which leads you into the next book, More Parts.

Personal Reaction: I have always enjoyed reading this book to my own children. It's fun to read it to my 1st grade class and watch their reactions with each funny thing that happens with this boy. This is a great book for even younger children that are having a hard time with the thought of losing their first tooth.

Classroom Extensions: Use q-tips to create a skeleton and label each part. Great for Halloween.
Teach the kids show more the song "Head, Shouldes, Knees, and Toes" and act out the motions with increasing the speed of the song each round. show less

Summary:
Parts is a book that every child would enjoy. It has the gross factor, and the funny factor. The little boy within the story starts noticing changes about his body, such as, a loose tooth or pieces of his hair in his comb. The little boy begins to worry that he is falling apart, and wonders how he could be going bald at five. Eventually, his parents tell him that changes to his body are normal. The little boy is very relieved.

Personal Reaction:
I loved reading this book. I even checked out the next book, More Parts by Tedd Arnold to see what happens next. I will have this book on my bookshelf for my children someday, and will also use it in the classroom when I begin teaching.

Classroom Extension Ideas:
Parts would be a great book show more to use for young children, such as, four or five year olds because small children would enjoy hearing the bizarre things the young boy encounters and the pictures are wonderful within the story. Also, Parts would be a great book to use with older kids possibly 5th graders. This book would be a great book to use to explain to children about puberty, and how your body will change and that changes to your body are normal. show less