Potty training is an exciting milestone for both children and parents, as it marks a big step towards independence. However, the process can be daunting and overwhelming for both parties involved. Parents may wonder where to start and what resources to use, while children may be hesitant or resistant to the idea of using the potty.
Luckily, there are many books available that can be helpful during the potty training journey. From colorful picture books to practical guides, there are options for every family and every child’s unique needs. In this guide, we’ll share some of the best potty training books for toddlers, as well as answer some common questions parents may have about the process.
Our Top Picks
- Best Montessori Potty Training Book: Toilet Awareness
- Best Funny Potty Training Book: We Poop on the Potty!
- Best Interactive Potty Training Book: P is for Potty! (Sesame Street)
- Best English/Spanish Potty Training Book: Diapers Are Not Forever / Los pañales no son para siempre
- Best Potty Training Book For Boys: Potty Time for Boys
- Best Potty Training Book For Girls: Once Upon a Potty
- Best Potty Training Book About Poops: Everyone Poops
- Best Call & Response Potty Training Book: Potty (Leslie Patricelli board books)
- Best Potty Training Book For Parents: The Holy Grail of Potty Training
- Best Potty Training Book For Toddlers: Even Firefighters Go to the Potty
- Best Straightforward Potty Training Book: Oh Crap! Potty Training
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Potty Training Books Picks
Toilet Awareness – Best Montessori Potty Training Book
Respect for kids and their natural growth is the cornerstone of learning to use the toilet. This book provides step-by-step starting guidance as well as information on when to start and how to prepare your bathroom for a smooth transition using the Montessori philosophy.
You’ll discover how to support your kids’ ability to detect their bodies’ cues and gain autonomy over their bathroom habits. Learn the technique that makes toileting stress-free and child-centered in Montessori schools. This book includes advice on selecting training underpants, starting before your kid can walk, and starting after your child is three.
We Poop on the Potty! – Best Funny Potty Training Book
The ideal book to help youngsters and their parents giggle when potty training! Who feces? Everyone urinates! Where do we urinate? On the toilet! Kids may learn how every species, large and small, and even adults, defecate via sneaky, humorous images.
Children discover how pets, wild animals, and aquatic species defecate. The subject of how unicorns, dragons, and aliens defecate is posed with whimsical images. Every page highlights that people use the toilet anywhere animals may defecate. This is a large board book with padding that is sure to be liked.
P is for Potty! (Sesame Street) – Best Interactive Potty Training Book
In this robust lift-the-flap board book, with more than 30 flaps to discover and open, Elmo from Sesame Street explains how to use the potty to young boys and girls between the ages of 1 and 3!
P is for Potty is the ideal blend of entertainment and education for toddlers who are potty training, especially when they practice sitting down on the toilet! Toddlers will enjoy the surprises they find behind the sturdy flaps, which will withstand hours of repeated raising and peeping.
Diapers Are Not Forever / Los pañales no son para siempre – Best English/Spanish Potty Training Book
This heartwarming book encourages children to practice using the potty with bravery and confidence, paving the way for a significant milestone in their young lives. With charming illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions, your child will learn how to use the potty, wipe, flush, and wash their hands just like older kids, and say goodbye to those pesky diapers forever. Plus, an expert in children’s health provides helpful tips and advice for parents and caregivers alike.
Potty Time for Boys – Best Potty Training Book For Boys
With Potty Time for Boys, your little ones will have an exciting and colorful potty training companion that encourages them to become eager learners. Learning to use the toilet or potty is a significant achievement for young children, and this book is the perfect tool to help them on their journey. It acknowledges that it may take some time and effort, but it is all part of the fun!
Once Upon a Potty – Best Potty Training Book For Girls
Once Upon a Potty is the ultimate guide for your little one’s toilet training journey. The board book version is tough enough to withstand any wear and tear and can even handle the occasional water spill. This book is perfect for your child to read while they’re on the potty or for you to read to them during their bathroom breaks.
With bright and engaging illustrations, clear language, and a relatable protagonist with the right parts, this book has everything your child needs to master the potty.
Everyone Poops – Best Potty Training Book About Poops
This fascinating book reveals how various animals, including humans, manage their digestion waste. With a strong and sturdy turtleback binding, this book is an excellent investment that will last for years, even with frequent use.
However, be warned, parents, this book may provoke laughter and giggles from young readers as they discover the different kinds of animal droppings. But don’t worry, it’s all part of the learning experience!
Potty (Leslie Patricelli board books) – Best Call & Response Potty Training Book
Leslie Patricelli’s latest toddler title captures the excitement and humor of using the potty for the first time. The adorable Baby character guides children through the process with funny antics and relatable inner thoughts. With perfect timing and just the right amount of humor, the book builds up to a joyful and triumphant moment that will have both you and your child bursting with laughter: “I did it!” This board book is a must-have for any family going through potty training, and the sturdy construction ensures it will withstand countless readings.
The Holy Grail of Potty Training – Best Potty Training Book For Parents
Are you feeling the potty-training woes? It’s time to say goodbye to those stressful days with this foolproof, age-appropriate plan that will have your child eager to go to school, whether you’re a busy bee or a stay-at-home superhero.
Let’s face it, the toilet seat can be a daunting place, just like the monster under the bed, and public restrooms are not any better! Countless failed attempts have left you frustrated, and the phrase “you’ll know when they’re ready” seems to apply to everyone except your child.
Potty training can be an emotionally draining experience, and you don’t need the extra tension and worry. Make the smart decision and get the help you need to achieve accident-free results in just one week with this book.
Even Firefighters Go to the Potty – Best Potty Training Book For Toddlers
With a clang, clang, clang, the fire engine races out of the station, but wait a minute! The firefighter has a different destination in mind. They’re headed to the restroom! Yes, even brave firefighters need to go potty.
For toddlers, toilet training can be a source of anxiety. And let’s face it, even adults sometimes get too busy to pay attention to their bodily needs. In this fun and playful gate-fold story, we follow various characters as they take a quick bathroom break, from a firefighter rushing to an emergency to a zookeeper feeding the polar bears. Through this light-hearted narrative, young readers will learn that everyone needs to use the restroom, without being lectured.
Oh Crap! Potty Training – Best Straightforward Potty Training Book
Struggling with potty training? Fear not! Toilet training expert Jamie Glowacki is here to guide you through the process. Her 6-step method has helped thousands of children and their parents ditch diapers and move on to the toilet. You might be surprised to learn that your child is ready for potty training earlier than you thought (ideally between 20 and 30 months), and the process may take less time than you expect (many kids master the basics in just a few days). But even if it takes a bit longer, Jamie’s got your back!
What Is The Average Age A Child Should Be Potty Trained By?
Success with potty training depends more on a child’s developmental, behavioral, and physical milestones than on their age (1). Between the ages of 18 and 24 months, many kids start to show signals that they are ready for potty training, although some kids might not be ready until they are 3 years old (2).
What Is The 3-Day Method For Potty Training?
In order to get your child used to use the potty on a regular basis, the 3-day potty training approach involves not using diapers or trousers for a period of three days. Your child will be more likely to feel the need to use the potty when he needs to pee if you let him go without wearing diapers or trousers, and this will help train him to use the potty on a regular basis.
The purpose of toilet training pants is to teach your child to become more aware of his or her body’s signs. Your child will be more likely to pay attention to his or her body and figure out when he or she has to use the restroom if he or she can see the stream of urine.
What Are Some Tips For Successful Potty Training?
- Start when your child is ready. Some children show interest in using the potty as early as 18 months, while others may not be interested until they are 3 years old. It’s important to start when your child is exhibiting readiness signs, such as wanting to wear underwear or showing an interest in using the potty.
- Use positive reinforcement (3). Rewarding your child with praise, stickers, or small treats can be a helpful way to encourage them to use the potty.
- Create a routine. Having regular times for using the potty can help your child know when they need to go. This might be before and after naps, first thing in the morning, and before and after meals.
- Be patient. It’s important to remember that potty training is a process, and there will likely be accidents along the way. Try to stay calm and encourage your child even if there are setbacks.
- Seek professional help if needed. Some children may need additional help to overcome challenges with potty training. If you’re concerned about your child’s progress, talk to your pediatrician or a child development specialist.
Is 3 Too Old To Not Be Potty Trained?
Children often begin to demonstrate curiosity and have the independence to use the restroom on their own by the age of 3. This age is a perfect age for potty training, especially for boys. When they are 3 years old, children can frequently tell when they need to go potty, pull their trousers up and down, sit safely on the potty, wash their hands, and feel proud of what they have accomplished. They could react favorably to enjoyable books and activities, as well as to prizes or charts.
Do Pull-Ups Help With Potty Training?
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that doing pull-ups will help with potty training. However, some parents believe that increased muscle tone can help with bowel control, which may make potty training easier. There is no harm in trying this method, but be sure to supervise your child carefully to avoid any accidents.
What Method Is Most Effective For Potty Training?
There are a few different methods that can be used for potty training, but some are more effective than others. One popular method is called the 3-Day Method. This can be tough to stick to, but it really gets the job done quickly. Another method is called the Reward System, where you give your child a small reward (like a sticker or a piece of candy) every time they use the potty successfully. This is a more gradual approach, but it can be more motivating for some kids.
How Long Does Potty Training Last?
The length of time it takes to potty train a child varies greatly. While some children can become entirely accident-free in a single day, others can need weeks or even months. Your child’s individual temperament, level of physical and emotional development, and any special requirements, as well as your approach to toilet training and family dynamics, will all influence how long it takes. Therefore, it is important to be as patient as possible in the worst-case scenario.
