Top 10 children’s books for toilet training

Why not use a storybook to help your little one adapt to the transition. Here are our top 10 children’s books for toilet training, reviewed by Megan Daley.

Megan is a super-busy mum and creator of the fantastic website/blog childrensbooksdaily.com, where the following book reviews first appeared. She loves children’s books with a passion.

If you’re like me, you probably wish you could outsource the toilet training and save the tears. The tears were all mine in the case of training Ava – she couldn’t have cared less about the whole chaotic business.

This time, I plan to be CALM and take deep breaths and do it properly. So we’re starting with reading lots of books about using the toilet or potty.

I am a big fan of using children’s books to introduce a new experience such as starting school, going to the dentist or gaining a new sibling. Toilet training is no different.

It’s something that all parents of small children have to deal with, and I have some good books on the topic, so I thought I should share them.

Of the many books on the market, these were the ones I liked best…

I love a good DK (Dorling Kindersley) book. They always have the most beautiful photographs and are very ‘clean’ books – lots of white space, clear text and good design.

I feel CALMER already just having the girl version of this. Full of fun rhymes and includes rewards stickers.

I didn’t actually buy this one, as the promotional line: ‘I peed my pants but mommy said that’s okay’ had me clicking very fast to find to a book with no mention of wet pants.

BUT it is a lift-the-flap book and every toddler loves a lift-the-flap book, so definitely worth checking out – it looks lovely. I just want dry pants.

The girl version of this book was written in 1975. It’s since sold more than four million copies and has been constantly reprinted… surely that means it’s a miracle book?

Actually, it’s just very cute and, yes, helped with the KEEP CALM factor. Explains the how and why of it all, for kids who need that.

I just completely love David Bedford and Leonie Worthington books, so I had to have this one. It’s about the different types of potties that animals might use and is a lift-the-flap book.

I love all the books in this series – Bums, Tums, Mums and Dads – but I think I said that already.

A copy of this one was in the ‘kids can read’ basket at one of my local bookshops. It makes me laugh and laugh, which is good while keeping me calm.

It’s written as the inner dialogue of the child learning to use the potty, and both text and images align perfectly to make a funny tale.

If you love The Little Princess series of books and TV shows than this is a must. As always, Tony Ross has a dry wit that appeals to the adult as well as the child.

We own all the books in this series by Jeannette Rowe. PudStar (aka Ava) knows EVERY SINGLE LINE in Whose Egg?, which my mum bought for her when she was born (Easter baby).

Whose Poo? is also great… simple, simple, simple but major child appeal. The title needs no explanation!

The Teddy Potty Book is a brand-new release this year and it looks super cute if your child loves their teddy. Follow Baby Bear swapping from a nappy to ‘big bear’ pants and beginning to use the potty for the first time. Maybe THIS will be the magic book?

Our reviewer Megan is also a teacher librarian and has served as National Vice President of the Children’s Book Council of Australia.

“At home, I have a very opinionated five year old, Ava (aka PudStar), and a two year old who is yet to cotton on to the wonders of sleep, Georgia (aka ChickPea),” says Megan, “There is also a tolerant husband, one Staffordshire terrier and six chooks…along with many books…in print and electronic form.”

Check out her website childrensbooksdaily.com