It is no secret that I adore picture books. As a teacher and parent, I especially like books that make kids think, laugh, and learn. Stories that have the ability to get kids talking and begin conversations are the best.

Over the years, I have found many authors that I have book collections of. One of them is Tedd Arnold.  Mr. Arnold is also the illustrator that brings his own books alive with beautiful and eye catching art. You may be familiar with some of Arnold’s books that include the Fly Guy and Huggly series.

Of course, my absolute favorite book by Tedd Arnold is Parts .

Here is a description of the book via Scholastic Books:

First, his hair started falling out. Then skin started peeling from his toes. Now something gray and wet — his brain? — has fallen out of his nose. Is this normal? Or is this boy coming unglued? This hilarious predecessor to More Parts combines the perfect levels of humor and grossness to leave readers in stitches!

Think back to when you were a child, were you ever afraid of the things that your body was doing? Did you flip out about losing your first tooth. Did you get grossed out by boogers, belly button lint, and other normal body creations? Yes, Tedd Arnold goes there and helps us to break the ice and make sure that kids know these things are perfectly normal.

I loved Parts from the first time I read it when teaching. It meant even more to me when I bought the book and read it to my boys for the first time. This was my chance to share a fantastic book with my kids and ease my son’s fears of losing his tooth. The reality is that kids are SO literal and the thought of losing a tooth can be frightening to many of them.

Arnold actually talks about wiggly teeth in the book when the main character starts to get anxious about this happening to his body. Then we watch his parents come back into the picture with their mega parenting book in hand to ease his fears.

I have to admit that some of the biggest laughs in our house were when we see the following priceless illustration and word combination:

Think like a kid and imagine where their vivid imagination may take them. No really, imagine that alien-like booger just dropping to the ground. How may a child feel with it coming from their head region? Yes, we howled and laughed with this page – especially my oldest son. The book is just gross enough that it is appropriate for kids of all ages and will likely make older children want to learn more about their bodies.

The best part about Parts is that Tedd Arnold also wrote a follow up called More Parts and Even More Parts. I know we have More Parts in my collection of books, but I need to get my hands on a copy of Even More Parts to share with the boys. Laughing and learning while reading books by Tedd Arnold have created many amazing memories for our family.

What have you read recently? Please be sure to link up to your Book Posts, and/or leave a comment below. Include something you read on your own, with a child or someone else. Tuesday Tales are all about spreading the love for books.

Disclosure: Several product links are to our Amazon Affiliate where we will receive a percentage of money for the sale of the books should you opt to buy any of the books mentioned.