If you’re searching for the perfect potty training book to help your little one get excited about using the potty, you’ll quickly find yourself overwhelmed by all the available options. We understand because we’ve also stood in that book aisle, staring at the shelves of possibilities. We’ve purchased books our kids have loved and some they’ve tossed across the room.
So, which are the best books for potty training? Well, it depends on where your child is at and which part of the process they might be struggling with.
To help you find the best fit, we’ve reviewed a wide selection of books that all serve different purposes in the potty training process. Some are aimed at girls, some at boys, some for kids who are afraid of the potty, and some for little ones who struggle with accidents.
Keep reading to find the best fit for your little learner.
The Best Potty Training Books of 2024
Here are 13 excellent potty training books to consider.
Diapers Are Not Forever (bilingual)
Best Multilingual Potty Book
We’ve included this title for its bilingual quality. There are benefits to introducing new languages to babies and toddlers, so why not incorporate that into potty training?
This title includes both English and Spanish sentences on each page, so you can choose which one you’d like to read with them at the time.
It reminds your child that they’re becoming a big kid. It then hints at the fact that, since they’re growing up, they’ll need to learn to use the potty.
It goes through the routine and includes a short guide for parents at the end of the story to help you help your child.
User Experience
Big Girl Panties
For Motivating Reluctant Girls
For those of you with reluctant girls, this may be the best potty training book. It lightheartedly encourages girls to use the potty in a positive way by getting them excited about wearing big girl panties.
The story uses catchy rhymes and colorful illustrations to pique your girl’s interest, which should help them feel more confident using the restroom. We recommend this title for its relatable character and vibrant illustrations.
Personal Perspective
P is for Potty
Best Interactive Potty Book
This book is one of our tried and true favorites because of its familiar characters and flaps. The book revolves around Elmo and Albie, as Elmo encourages toddlers to use the potty by telling them all about how to go.
It has over 25 flaps inside for your child to lift, and it’s made of sturdy material. Kids will love going through the steps and will feel obligated to “go.“
Community Feedback
The Potty Book for Girls
Gentle Introduction
Potty training varies, depending on whether you have a boy or a girl. Books that cater specifically to those differences will help them better understand how to go.
If you’re looking for a gentle way to introduce the potty to your daughter, this is an ideal title. Hannah is given a potty in the story, marking her journey into potty training.
This book made our list because the main character is independent in everything else, despite still being in diapers. It makes it relatable and empowering for your little one.
First-Hand Impression
The Potty Book for Boys
Best Potty Book for Boys
This title is great because, like its companion for girls, it serves as a gentle introduction to the potty training journey. The book contains a storyline about an independent boy learning to use the potty.
You can start out reading this as a regular storytime pick. When your boy is ready, he’ll be more inclined to try training because he will already be familiar with the process.
User Experience
Potty Superhero
For the Superkid
For those of you with a super kid, this book about the potty superhero might be a great fit. This is an encouraging, straightforward book for boys to get them excited about wearing big-boy pants.
It shows your boy how to use the potty successfully. We like this story for its fun take on this milestone.
Personal Perspective
Big Girls Go Potty
Simple Design
The narration of this book speaks directly to your child, which helps them learn as you read this to them. If your little girl is ready to start using the potty, Emma and her teddy bear are the perfect characters to accompany her.
We love its simple artwork and easy-to-understand story.
Community Feedback
Even Firefighters Go To The Potty
Great for Encouragement
If your trainee is feeling a bit discouraged with their training journey, this book is worth checking out.
This story is a nice reminder that even the busiest people go potty. Whether you’re a firefighter, a zookeeper, or a little boy or girl, going potty is an essential part of daily life.
It teaches your child to prioritize going potty, even if it doesn’t seem important to them.
First-Hand Impression
Everybody Potties!
For Potty Celebrations
This story features several animals and uses rhymes to tell your child that everybody goes potty, including moms, dads, and grandmas. It also goes into age-appropriate detail about what your body may feel when you have to go potty.
The illustrations are cute, and the rhyming chant is sure to get stuck in your child’s head — and yours.
User Experience
A Potty for Me
Because Accidents Happen
Because accidents are inevitable when it comes to potty training, it’s important to let your child know it’s OK.
That’s why we appreciate this title. It follows a little girl who is working on potty training and doesn’t want to go because she’s having too much fun playing. She accidentally pees her pants and gets upset until her mom says it’s OK.
We also enjoy this one because it has flaps to lift on each page and is easy for toddlers to understand.
Personal Perspective
Duck Goes Potty
Leaving the Comfort Zone
Duck is comfortable with his diapers. Perhaps a little too comfortable. When his mom proclaims there will be no more diapers, Duck is nervous about the change.
He has a few accidents along the way but eventually gets the hang of going potty. If your child is somewhat anxious about losing the diapers, they’ll be able to relate.
It could help ease their mind about the training process, and they may feel more inclined to go to the toilet.
Community Feedback
Daniel Goes to the Potty
Book With Sound
This book is an adaptation of an episode of “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” where Daniel has to remind himself to use the potty.
This book includes other hygiene habits to remember, like flushing and washing your hands.
It has a button that makes a flushing noise when pressed. In the story, Daniel asks for help flushing the potty, which your child can do with the interactive button.
First-Hand Impression
Tot on the Pot
Unique Concept
For those of you looking for the whole kit and kaboodle, this may be the one for you. This is a set that comes with a potty book, a guide for parents, and a training doll that also comes with its own potty.
There are different dolls to choose from, so you can pick one that most resembles your child. It’s even been recommended by some pediatricians and has won titles for its concept.
It allows your child to learn how to go by taking on the responsibility of “teaching” their doll how to use the potty too.
User Experience
How to Use Potty Books
Once you’re sure your child is ready, it’s time to introduce the materials needed for successful potty training. Besides the obvious potty seat, investing in good training books for your child will help encourage them.
We recommend keeping one in the bathroom at all times. Books are a great way to keep your toddler occupied, and this will help them stay on the toilet as they’re trying to learn their new skill.
How Interactive Is It?
For books about potty training, the more interactive, the better. Books with lift-the-flaps and buttons that make sounds are usually more exciting for toddlers to interact with.
Flaps are especially beneficial because they can keep your child busier for longer. They’re also good for encouraging curiosity and discovery, two important things for the toddler stage.
Is It Easy to Understand?
Finally, it should be easy for your toddler to understand. When shopping around, ask yourself questions like, “Are the illustrations clear?”
It’s not likely that you’ll read a whole story to them while they sit on the potty. Choosing a book they can enjoy in sections will benefit you.
FAQs
Do Books Help With Potty Training?
Books can help with potty training by making the process more understandable and less intimidating for toddlers. They provide a way to discuss potty training in a fun, relaxed manner.
What is the Most Popular Potty Training Method?
One of the most popular potty-training methods is the “Three-Day Method,” which involves intense focus on potty training over a few days. The child goes without diapers and is encouraged to use the potty regularly.
When Should I Start Reading Potty Training Books?
Start reading potty training books to your child a few weeks or months before you plan to start the potty-training process. This can help them get familiar with the idea.
Is it Better to Potty Train On the Toilet or On a Potty?
Whether to use a toilet or a potty depends on the child’s comfort and confidence. Some prefer a smaller potty at first, while others might like feeling “grown-up” using a toilet with a child seat.
Review Methodology
At Mom Loves Best, we understand the importance of finding the best potty training books to help your child transition smoothly. To ensure you trust our recommendations, we’ve conducted thorough research, hands-on assessments, and compared various books based on criteria such as readability, effectiveness, and practicality. Our experienced team evaluates products from a user’s perspective, sharing quantitative measurements and highlighting key decision-making factors. We delve into each book’s design choices and their impact on both parents and children, providing first-hand supporting evidence for our top picks. Our comprehensive analysis includes factors such as age-appropriateness, illustrations, content, and author expertise, ensuring you have all the information needed to make an informed decision.
