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);

On Top of the Potty (Book)

Katz, A., & Catrow, D. (2008). On Top of the Potty and other get-up-and-go songs. New York, NY: Margaret K. McElderry Books.  ISBN: 978-0-689-86215-1

Interest Level: Ages 3 to 7
Genre: Picture Book, Song Books
Subjects/Themes: Silly Songs, Toilet Training,

Plot: 15 silly songs about the potty set to classic tunes such as "If your happy and you know it," "take me out to the ball game," and "This old man."  Silly illustrations accompany each silly song.

Personal Thoughts: Tackling toliet training? Need a silly song book? This is the book for you!  The illustrations are well done and tell the story of each song.  A big diaper baby can be found in almost every scene.  A warning though, there is a lot of potty language being used, "poop" and "pee" can be found in almost every sentence. The songs fit the tunes pretty accurately.  The few lines here or there that were shaky might have been due to my own faulty memory of the classic songs.  Children who get their hands on this book may be marveling you with their new found love of music.

Other Books by the Author: Are you quiet polite?: silly dilly manners songs (2006); I'm still here in the bathtub: brand new sillyl dilly songs (2003); Oops! (2008);

Author's Website: Alan Katz: A Silly Dilly Man