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)

Once Upon A Potty (Book)

Frankel, A. (1979). Once upon a potty: Boy. New York, NY: HarperFestival. [48 pages]. ISBN: 0-694-
01387-0
Frankel, A. (1980). Once upon a potty: Girl. New York, NY: HarperFestival. [48 pages]. ISBN: 0-694-01388-9

Interest Level: Ages 4 and under
Genre: Picture Book
Subjects/Themes: Toilet Training, Anatomy,

Plot: The book explains that the child in the book (boy or girl depending on the version) has different body parts for different functions.  The pictures show anatomically correct pictures of a boy or girl.  The book explains that the child has always been going "pee-pee" since they were a baby but now are learning to use the potty.  The potty is actually a pot that was given as a gift.  The tone of the book encourages children to not get frustrated by mistakes and to be proud and happy when they finally learn to use the potty correctly.

Personal Thoughts: The text is simple, narrated from the mother’s point of view, and uses some baby language such as “wee-wee” and “poo-poo” to describe bodily functions.  The wording is a bit awkward or maybe just old fashioned at some points.  The strength of this book comes from the anatomically correct drawings.  Not my favorite toilet training book, but still useful to parents looking for help.

Author's Website: Alona Frankel's Website for Joshua and Prudence
Other Books by the Author: Prudence's Goodnight Book (2000); Joshua's Book Of Manners (2000); I Want My Mother (2000);

Go Away, Big Green Monster! (Book)

Emberley, E. (1992). Go away, big green monster!. Boston, MA: Little Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 978-0-316-23653-9

Interest Level: Ages 5 and under
Genre: Picture Book
Subjects/Themes: Die-cut pages, Monsters, Fear,

Plot: Meet the big green monster.  This story introduces the reader to the big green monster one feature at a time.  Purple scraggly purple hair, big yellow eyes, and sharp white teeth are only a few of the scary features that make up the big green monster.  After the whole monster is slowly revealed to the reader, the reader responds "Go Away!" to each feature until the whole monster is gone and isn't allowed to come back until the reader says so. 

Personal Thoughts: A wonderfully made book.  The use of die-cuts to slowly reveal the monster and make him disappear again are ingeniously constructed.  I made a felt board version of this book a few years ago for a preschool story time which also included the words for hair, eyes, mouth, nose, and teeth.  I had the children help me match the words to the features which encouraged word recognition.  The children especially love saying "Go Away.." with me as I'm reading the book.  This book is great for bedtime, monsters, or talking about fears themed storytimes. 

Awards/Recognition:
Black-Eyed Susan Book Awards (Maryland) (1995)

Author's Website: Ed Emberley's Website
Other Books by the Author: Glad monster, sad monster: a book about feelings (1997); Bye-bye, big bad bullybug! (2007);

Bee Smart Baby Vocabulary Builder (DVD)

Baby Bumble Bee. (2002). Bee smart baby vocabulary builder: Volume 1 [DVD]. Crystal Beach, FL: Educational Products for Infancy.

Interest Level: 3 & under
Subjects/Themes: Phonics, Sign Language, Foreign Languages, Vehicles, Animals, Anatomy, Everyday Items 
Running Time: 30 minutes + 6 minute Sign Langauge Lesson
Price: $25 (individual DVD) or $130 for the full set with flashcards

Plot:  Children are introduced to different items through a series of pictures, video, text and sound.  Different words that relate items that a baby would come in contact with are introduced such as vehicles, animals, body parts, and everyday items.  The same DVD can be played in English, German, Spanish, French, or Japanese.  Also included is a 6 minute Sign Langauge lesson that introduces some everyday concepts.   

Personal Thoughts:  The DVD is meant for use as a digital lapsit tool with the parent or caregiver present during viewing.  Explained during the opening credits, this so that children can pick up on a parent's enthusiasm and mimic their actions.  One bonus feature includes an animal sound identification game.  Well made graphics and video combined with developmentally appropriate concepts make this DVD a good digital learning resource.  Unfortunately the DVD set price is extremely high for a family with a new baby.  I suggest you make your own flashcards (which is really the extra item your paying for) and borrowing a copy from your local library like I did. 

Company Website: Baby Bumble Bee Website

Chicken Cheeks (Book)

Black, M. (2009). Chicken cheeks (the beginning of the ends). New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 978-1-4169-4864-3

Interest Level: Ages 3 to 7
Genre: Picture Book
Subjects/Themes: Animals, Buttocks, Anatomy

Plot: This is a simple story about a bear trying to get some honey out of a tree while describing different animals’ back ends.

Personal Thoughts: Children will get a laugh out of the phrases such as “turkey tush” and “flamingo fanny.”  Each page shows the different animals standing on one another’s head to form a ladder.  The last page shows them all falling down after running into the “bumblebee bum” guarding the honey.  The illustrations of the animals are comically rendered against the bright sky blue background.  This is a great book for a laugh during bathroom or body part themed storytimes, even if a bit short.

Other Books by Author: The Purple Kangaroo (2010); and A Pig Parade is a Terrible Idea (2010).