Going to the Potty (Book)

Rogers, F. (1986). Going to the potty. New York, NY: Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers.  ISBN: 0-698-11575-9

Interest Level: Ages 4 and under
Genre: Picture Book, Non-Fiction
Subjects/Themes: Toilet Training, Growing Up

Plot: A toilet training book created by Mister Rogers.  The book explains that when children are babies they need help to do things but that as they grow up they learn to do certain things on their own such as dressing themselves.  Rogers also explains the different kinds of diapers and then the different ways a child might get toilet trained.  The simple text is paired with real pictures of children and parents doing the different activities described.  The children and parents are from a variety of cultures, ages, and genders.

Personal Thoughts: The tone of the book is in the same calming and reassuring tones associated with Roger’s own voice.  The book offers encouragement to children in mastering this developmental milestone.  Roger's uses grown up language instead of baby language to describe the different functions of the body.  The pictures and text describe a variety of diapers and training methods such as showing both a potty chair and toilet seat.  Part of Roger's First Experiences book series which helps children with different developmental milestones.

Author's Website: PBS Kids' Mister Roger's Neighborhood
Other books by the Author: Divorce (1996); Extraordinary Friends (2000); The New Baby (1996); Going to Day Care (1985); Going to the Doctor (1986)