Parts (book)

Parts is a children's book written and illustrated by Tedd Arnold. It was first published on September 1, 1997. Written in rhyme with cartoon-like watercolor illustrations, Parts is the first in Arnold's trilogy on the theme of body parts. It was followed by More Parts in 2001 and Even More Parts in 2004. In 1998, it won the "Tellable" Stories for Ages 4-7 Award (Storytelling World) and in 1999, the Colorado Children's Book Award.

Plot summary of Parts

The story is aimed at 4-7 year-olds. It was inspired by a real life experience, when the author's young son, Walter, was disturbed by losing his first tooth. The protagonist of Parts is young Chip Block, who notices that his skin is peeling, some of his hairs remain on the comb, and his tooth is loose. His anxiety reaches its peak when a piece of mucus (which he assumes is a piece of his brain) falls out of his nose. Convinced that he is falling apart and will soon become toothless, skinless, brainless, and bald, the boy tries to hold himself together with his father's masking tape until he resembles a mummy. Finding him wrapped in the masking tape, his parents then explain to him about how parts of his body renew themselves.

Parts book

A parts book or parts catalogue is a book published by manufacturers which contains the illustrations, part numbers and other relevant data for their products or parts thereof.

Parts books were often also issued as microfiche, though this has fallen out of favour. Now, many manufacturers offer this information digitally in an electronic parts catalogue. This can be locally installed software, or a centrally hosted web application. Usually, an electronic parts catalogue enables the user to virtually disassemble the product into its components to identify the required part(s).

In the automotive industry, electronic parts catalogues are also able to access specific vehicle information, usually through an online look-up of the vehicle identification number. This will identify specific models, allowing the user to correctly identify the required part and its relevant part number.

See also