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· 347 ratings · 47 reviews
Start your review of The Best Part of Me: Children Talk About Their Bodies in Pictures and Words
"What is the best part of you?", and presents their answers in this sometimes funny, sometimes moving, deeply personal book that includes striking black-and-white photographs taken by the author. Ideal for parents and teacher to use to discuss body image, self-esteem, and diversity with children. "What is the best part of you?", and presents their answers in this sometimes funny, sometimes moving, deeply personal book that includes striking black-and-white photographs taken by the author. Ideal for parents and teacher to use to discuss body image, self-esteem, and diversity with children. ...more
Aug 05, 2017 Joyce Yattoni rated it really liked it
Enjoyed reading this photographic picture book. Kids selected one part of their body they liked best then wrote about it. Lots of lesson plans out there. Makes for a great get to know you writing activity. Easily differentiated. Ss can go beyond the obvious uses of the body part.
Apr 07, 2018 Jane Baber rated it it was amazing
This book is beyond cool. It's the coolEST (book that
blends photography, pride in body-image, and narrative poetry, that is). I was first introduced to "The Best Part of Me" during my summer with the Oklahoma Writing Project when a teacher colleague modeled how she used the book with her 5th graders. I immediately incorporated the text into my syllabus for the fall semester, eagerly anticipating collaborating on this creative composition with my pre-service teaching students. Wendy Ewald's book
Wendy Ewald's book is special, and the premise seems so simple. As per the cover, "children talk about their bodies in pictures and words." The pages follow a pattern: black and white photograph of a child's favorite feature (nose, teeth, eyes, etc.) followed by their poetic ode to their "best part." The book is not simple though; the message is incredibly strong. These self-portraits are powerful revelations about pride, individuality, culture, relationships, expression, and exercises in creative candidness.
Fast forward post-summer to reading the book with my class of educators, slowly pausing together to absorb the details in each students' special photograph, and laughing with the kids' sweet and clever narratives ("Sometimes I can move my teeth. Sometimes my gramma can move her teeth too."). My students and I each took our own photos and wrote odes to the best parts of us (cue laughter about making sure everything stayed G-rated), and shared them on a particularly special night in class. We laughed, smiled, and got teary as journeys with insecurities, pride in familial features, and quirky takes on our compositions were showcased. We talked teaching moments and how else this book could be used - What would characters in a novel say was the best part of them? What if we looked for non-physical attributes? What would our best personality traits be? What is the best gift we can share with others? What is the best thing I want to try? The possibilities for this text are huge!
The last line of the poem on the last page of "The Best Part of Me" reads: "These beautiful things are mine." This book reminds us to celebrate our students, celebrate each other, and celebrate ourselves. What is the best part of you?
...more
Dec 10, 2019 Jana rated it it was amazing
This awesome picture book should be on every elementary classroom bookshelf because it speaks to all children and all children will be able to recognize themselves in it. This book was a collaboration between the author and teachers and students in Durham, North Carolina. Combining stunning black and white photography with student poetry describing the parts of their bodies they like best or explains the most about them, this could start some great conversations about body image, culture, and ap This awesome picture book should be on every elementary classroom bookshelf because it speaks to all children and all children will be able to recognize themselves in it. This book was a collaboration between the author and teachers and students in Durham, North Carolina. Combining stunning black and white photography with student poetry describing the parts of their bodies they like best or explains the most about them, this could start some great conversations about body image, culture, and appreciation of everyone's unique body. I love that the student poetry is printed in each child's handwriting. This could definitely inspire young writers to write about what's special about themselves. ...more
This was a really cute book. Each page has its own hand written letter to each child's favorite body part from the child. The letters on why they like those body parts and what they use them for. Every picture was in black and white which I thought was a very interesting touch because the title on the cover was in color. I also really liked that this book didn't have the kids edit their spelling and grammar because it added a really sweet touch that only handwritten letters by kids can have. I w This was a really cute book. Each page has its own hand written letter to each child's favorite body part from the child. The letters on why they like those body parts and what they use them for. Every picture was in black and white which I thought was a very interesting touch because the title on the cover was in color. I also really liked that this book didn't have the kids edit their spelling and grammar because it added a really sweet touch that only handwritten letters by kids can have. I would probably use this book for grades in 1st and 2nd grade because I think it would be fun to have them write a letter about their favorite body part. ...more
Aug 28, 2017 Theresa rated it liked it
The Best Part of Me: Children Talk About their Bodies in Pictures and Words
by Wendy Ewald
I read this story to a third grade class. The kids liked this a connection to the story in relating to themselves. Watching one student relate the story to another student because they missed it was interesting. The poems related to children's opinions of their own body, and which part they like about themselves. The poems are very specific, and helped inspire the kids to find their own quality that they co The Best Part of Me:
Children Talk About their Bodies in Pictures and Words
by Wendy Ewald
I read this story to a third grade class. The kids liked this a connection to the story in relating to themselves. Watching one student relate the story to another student because they missed it was interesting. The poems related to children's opinions of their own body, and which part they like about themselves. The poems are very specific, and helped inspire the kids to find their own quality that they could use in
their own portraits. ...more
The Best Part of Me by Wendy Ewald is a book inspired by a class in North Carolina. Each of the students shared a part of their body that they like and are proud of. Some of the
students wrote a poem or just a paragraph of reasons why they like that specific body part. There also was a picture provided. I think it is important for kids to be proud of and love their bodies. It shows how they perceive themselves. Everyone is unique and so are their bodies. This is an important lesson to teach.
This book is about children describing their favorite parts of their bodies and why they love it. This book has pictures of their bodies and then the children turned their stories into poetry. I really liked this book because the photographer captured some really great pictures and the message of this book was really good. I would use this in my classroom to show students that positive body images are and why its important to embrace imperfections.
Nov 02, 2019 Montana rated it it was amazing
This is such a fun book! It’s also a great way to begin a poetry unit for students. Out of 6 poems my students will write, this is their first. They write their poem about the best part of them. We walk around the school looking for nice places to take a photo and shoot their featured image. This photo and poem become the cover of their poetry portfolio. The students love doing this project and it’s so interesting to learn about the students in this way.
Sep 18, 2018 Lauren Munch rated it it was amazing
This book was fun, silly, and powerful all
in one! I loved how each poem was written by a different child and they were able to choose what “the best part of me” was to them and why! Poetry 2nd grade - 5th grade
This is a collection of poems written by different children about their favorite part of themselves. This story is perfect for upper elementary because it could lead into a project about them writing their own poetry about themselves using rhyming or bothered specific literary devices.
May 17, 2017 kristen rated it liked it
Looking forward to using this book as a mentor text for a special writing project for my students.
May 30, 2017 Dana rated it it was amazing
Just wonderful. Black and white photos of each child's favorite part of their body - hands, feet, elbow etc.. accompanied by their explanation of why that part of their body is their favorite part. Just wonderful. Black and white photos of each child's favorite part of their body - hands, feet, elbow etc.. accompanied by their explanation of why that part of their body is their favorite part. ...more
Jul 17, 2017 Lorie Barber rated it it was amazing
Fun to read as an introduction to an end-of-year project for students.
I liked the concept of this book, but the writing was different than I expected.
Apr 06, 2018 Linda rated it it was amazing
I use this as a pre-cursor for my students opening writing activity. It is a powerful book that promotes self-love.
Feb 17, 2019 Jennifer rated it it was amazing
Stunning mentor text to serve as a springboard for writing and photography. Gorgeous photos and kid-written poems/free verse highlighting the best part of themselves.
I love this book. I have read it every year since I have heard about it. My students love doing the activity themselves!
Mar 01, 2021 Kris rated it liked it
Used for mentor text to make similar displays for a back to school open house display.
This was portrayed so well!!
Feb 06, 2017 Michelle rated it really liked it
This book was requested by a teacher. I can see it will be the basis of a good writing lesson.
Apr 28, 2014 Tonya Nelson rated it it was amazing
Summary: This book compiles a list of poems and pictures that illustrate the best parts of each child author within the book. The beautifully written poems depict what each child appreciates about the best part of his/her body. Some body parts mentioned were the neck,
eyes, and back. Each student’s work is truly unique in the photographs, but more importantly in the reasons why they chose their specific body part. Ewald uncovers the beauty of diversity, positive self-image, and appreciation thes Summary: This book compiles a list of poems and pictures that illustrate the best parts of each child author within the book. The beautifully written poems depict what each child appreciates about the best part of his/her
body. Some body parts mentioned were the neck, eyes, and back. Each student’s work is truly unique in the photographs, but more importantly in the reasons why they chose their specific body part. Ewald uncovers the beauty of diversity, positive self-image, and appreciation these children share for their bodies. Characteristics to Support Genre: This book is uses images and includes elements of poetry including rhythm, rhyme, and alliteration. Some poems include similes and words that appeal
the the senses. Concepts Integrated: body image, self-esteem, diversity, anti-bullying, photography, poetry, expressive writing, writing process Other Suggestions that could be useful regarding literary content, reading level, and other ways in which the book might be integrated: 3-5 readers Ideas from Scholastic: //www.scholastic.com/teachers/le...
Writing – Students will identify a positive physical feature that is the best part of them and create a descriptive poem about their favorite feature. They could then revise and edit their
works and eventually publish their poems. The teacher could compile these at the end of the unit and create a class book or blog with all of the students’ work to display to parents and class visitors.
Art – Students could draw pictures of their best body part and explain why they chose that body part. Or they could integrate technology by using digital cameras or iPads to capture pictures of their best body part.
Science/Speaking – Students could brainstorm in groups as a jigsaw activity,
each group getting a body part and coming up with the uses or reasons why the body part is liked (scientific or opinion). They could then share those with the class and present the body part their group had.
Feb 13, 2017 Teri rated it really liked it
This book inspired me to create a writing activity for my own students modeled after the book. The pictures and descriptions are simple, yet engaging. My students loved getting to write about their own "best part" and we got some really incredible photographs to go along with their stories. This book inspired me to create a writing activity for my own students modeled after the book. The pictures and descriptions are simple, yet engaging. My students loved getting to write about their own "best part" and we got some really incredible photographs to go along with their stories. ...more
Oct 26, 2016 Ashtar Toma rated it it was amazing
"The Best Part of Me" is a collection of poetry
that is paired with sensational black and white photography taken by the author. Children write poems about their favorite part of themselves, using their body parts as the theme in this book of poetry. The author uses children's hand-written poems in this book. "The Best Part of Me" looks at the unique parts of children and emphasizes their individual beauty. This book is recommended for children grades 1-5 in a unit of poetry. It will allow the s This book is recommended for children grades
1-5 in a unit of poetry. It will allow the students to write outside the lines of typical rhyming poetry activities. When using this book in a classroom, teachers can ask their students, "What is the best part of you?" and have students write about themselves. Teachers can provide students with the creative ability to create their own types of poetry using descriptive language and pair those poems with photography taken by the teacher.
The Best Parts of me is on my favorites because of its unique style and it use of photography. I enjoyed this book because its creation seemed mostly dictated by the
kids in it. The kids got to choose where their picture was taken and they composed the poems themselves. Poems written by children have a certain beauty to them that just makes me smile. This book is significant to me because so much of our culture is about identifying what we hate about ourselves and wanting what other people have. This book is significant to me because so much of our culture is about identifying what we hate about ourselves and wanting what other people have. This book shows that we should look at ourselves and see why we are great. This is an important lesson for
children to understand so I recommend this for all grades. I could see this as a meaningful project at any age level. In the classroom I would use this to introduce or develop poem writing skills in students of all ages.
The Best Part of Me – Children talk about their bodies in pictures and words by Wendy Ewald – What a beautiful poetry book… and reflective 3rd-5th graders sharing about the best part of themselves… Really appreciate how creative children were with their selections of a body part and writing a poem about them. They mentioned family member connections to their selection in addition to their heritage and also what they appreciate about the part of the body, for example the back. Here’s a little por The Best Part of Me – Children talk about their bodies in pictures and words by Wendy Ewald – What a beautiful poetry book… and reflective 3rd-5th graders sharing about the best part of themselves… Really appreciate how creative children were with their selections of a body part and writing a poem about them. They mentioned family member connections to their selection in addition to their heritage and also what they appreciate about the part of the body, for example the back. Here’s a little portion of “My back” in the book: “I picked my back because if I didn’t have my back then I couldn’t move because everything counts on my back.” ...more
The Best Part of Me is a great book to use in your classroom when you are wanted to discuss in class about self love. At times, there are many people that don't like things about themselves (which is normal), but in class we like to promote positivity and we can talk about things we DO like about ourselves. After reading this book, you can definitely talk about what kids like about their bodies or perhaps talk about what their favorite thing about themselves. For example, someone can say their f The Best Part of Me is a great book to use in your classroom when you are wanted to discuss in class about self love. At times, there are many people that don't like things about themselves (which is normal), but in class we like to promote positivity and we can talk about things we DO like about ourselves. After reading this book, you can definitely talk about what kids like about their bodies or perhaps talk about what their favorite thing about themselves. For example, someone can say their favorite part is their eyes or their laugh? Either way, you can get kids can participate! ...more
Stunning, up-close black and white photos help frame student writing about what they feel is the best part of them...hair, elbow, eyes, heart---you get the drift. I plan on using a few of the pages as springboards for my students to write about during the first few weeks of school. It should serve as a great autobiography tie-in to our genre study as well as introduce their iPads to them (we are 1-1).
Wendy Ewald (born in 1951) is an American photographer and educator. Wendy Ewald was born in Detroit, Michigan, graduated from Abbot Academy
in 1969 and attended Antioch College between 1969–74, as well as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she studied photography with Minor White. She embarked on a career teaching photography to children and young people internationally. In 1969 & 19 Wendy Ewald was born in Detroit, Michigan, graduated from Abbot Academy in 1969 and attended Antioch College
between 1969–74, as well as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she studied photography with Minor White. She embarked on a career teaching photography to children and young people internationally. In 1969 & 1970, she taught photography to Innu and Mi'kmaq Native-American children in Canada. Between 1976–80 she taught photography and film-making to students in Whitesburg, Kentucky, in association with Appalshop, a media co-op. In 1982, she traveled to Ráquira, Colombia, on a
Fulbright fellowship working with children and community groups; spending a further two years in Gujarat, India. Ewald is married to Tom McDonough, a writer and cinematographer. They live in the Hudson Valley of New York with their son, Michael. (from Wikipedia)
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