When I first started reading children’s potty and toilet training books, I wondered if I would find any books that would be entertaining enough to interest a toddler and still get the point across that using a potty is a good thing.I am happy to report that along with overly didactic and boring potty books, there are some good children’s books about potty training. It takes a lot more than a book to get a child toilet trained, but these should make training more fun for you and your toddler.

1. Everyone Poops

Kids love this book. Written and illustrated by Taro Gomi, it was originally published in Japan in 1977.With striking illustrations and humorous text, Gomi emphasizes that while animals, from snakes and elephants to children and adults, may poop in different places and ways, everyone poops.Kids think it’s funny to see all the creatures poop, but the book also helps them to realize it is natural to poop and appropriate for young children to use a potty. (Kane/Miller, 1993. ISBN: 9780916291457) .

2. Ian's Potty

Ian's Potty is a picture book with cheerful large illustrations and a simple story by Pauline Oud. The book was originally published in Belgium and Holland. The endpapers include a fun search and find game of items used in potty training, The story is about a little boy named Ian and his experiences as he begins to wear underpants instead of diapers and gets used to using a potty.The tone is as cheerful as the artwork and accidents are just a natural part of learning to use the potty. (Clavis Publishing, 2011, first English language edition. ISBN: 9781605371030) .

3. On Your Potty!

When Bartholomew, an appealing little bear, wakes up, big bear George wants him to use the potty. The little bear refuses, saying, “Nah!” louder and louder until George shouts, “On Your Potty!”When Bartholomew sits on the potty, nothing happens, so George sends him out to play. While playing, Bartholomew is reminded of George’s words and gets on the potty just in time. George rewards him with a big hug in this engaging picture book by Virginia Miller. Look for On Your Potty! at your public library. (Candlewick Press, 1998.ISBN: 0763606944)

4. Ruby's Potty

The rhyming text by Paul Rogers and the artwork by Emma Rogers create a mood of fun. Ruby, a little mouse, has a potty, but she uses it to carry things, plays with it in the sandbox, and slides it down the slide. When she needs it, she doesn’t know where it is and has an accident.She doesn’t want to wear diapers, so Ruby finally starts sitting on the potty. It takes time, but she’s successful, to her delight. Check at your public library for Ruby's Potty. (Dutton Children’s Books, 2001. ISBN: 0525468161)

5. P.J. & Puppy

Toddler P.J. has a new potty and a new puppy. P.J. and Puppy play together, nap together, and experience accidents and success together, with potty training for P.J. and paper training for Puppy.Through it all, P.J.’s mom is a calm and helpful influence, cleaning up after accidents, cheering success. Written and illustrated by Cathryn Falwell, this book will particularly appeal to the young child who loves dogs. Look for P.J. & Puppy at your local library. (Clarion Books, 1997. ISBN: 0395569184)