Is your toddler ready to start potty training? (Or “potty learning” as some call it?)
If your toddler is anything like mine, she may not be exactly thrilled about saying goodbye to diapers and using the potty.
My youngest daughter just turned three, and she has a love-hate relationship with the potty.
In one minute, she’ll refuse to wear a diaper and insist on wearing “big girl underpants.” And in the next minute, she’ll say, “Me no like potty. Me wear diapers.”
The potty training struggle is real!
My middle kiddo was also a reluctant potty-learner.
Gently helping your child learn to use the potty isn’t for the faint of heart. It takes a ton of patience and compassion.
The one thing that helped my reluctant potty learner
If you have a reluctant potty trainer on your hands, it can feel very frustrating. Especially if you’re getting outside pressure from family or friends.
It’s okay, mama.
Your little one does things at their own pace. Try not to let potty training guilt get you down. We moms struggle with enough guilt!
I’ve tried every potty training trick known to momkind, and here’s the number one thing that finally helped.
A book.
Not just any book, but this one:
You Can Go to the Potty by Dr. William Sears
- You Can Go to the Potty clearly introduces the basic steps of toilet learning in a natural, non-pressured way.
- Written by the authors of the acclaimed Sears Parenting Library, it features reassuring text and lively, full-color illustrations.
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There are many reasons to love this potty training book for toddlers. The beginning of this book is a comprehensive guide to potty training for parents.
When it comes to the part of the book that you read to your child, it’s very empowering.
The text isn’t “dumbed-down” but it also isn’t too sophisticated for toddlers to understand.
The pictures are great and it provides a really comprehensive guide for kids to be encouraged to use the potty.
Another thing I love is that on most of the pages, there’s a little sidebar with further information for the parents if your child asks questions.
(Which, we all know, there will be millions of questions, ha!)
Seriously, this book took my kid from ZERO interest in using the potty, to fully potty trained in a matter of days. It’s that good!
Other great potty training books for toddlers
When it comes to potty training books for toddlers, there are good ones and not-so-good ones.
These potty training books are some of our other favorites.
Potty by Leslie Patricelli
- There comes a point in a toddlers life when going in ones diaper is only one possible option, and the question must be raised: Should I go in my potty?
- With pitch-perfect humor and pacing, Leslie Patricelli follows the inner dialogue (sure to have little ones shouting responses) and hilarious actions of everyones favorite Baby, winding up with an over-the-top look of surprise and delight that will have both parents and offspring laughing out loud. I did it!
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This is a simple book that’s great for younger potty-learners. My kids LOVE this adorable cartoon baby.
The concept is simple, but effective, especially if your little one has a short attention span.
A Potty for Me! by Karen Katz
- Children will love following along and lifting the flaps to see the child play, sit on thepotty, eat, sit on the potty, sleep, and then sit on the potty...until finally there is success.
- Written from a childs point of view, this new potty-training book will help children join in the final refrain, Im so proud of me!
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This is also a great book for beginners…especially if your child hasn’t actually used the potty yet, but is working on getting comfortable enough to try.
The book is interactive with lift-the-flap pages. It’s also written in a rhyming style, which little ones seem to love.
P is for Potty by Naomi Kleinberg
- Sesame Streets Elmo tells little girls and boys ages 1 to 3 all about how to use the potty in this sturdy lift-the-flap board book with more than 30 flaps to find and open.
- Its the perfect mix of fun and learning for potty-training toddlers—especially while they practice sitting on the potty!
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Admittedly, this isn’t my favorite book, but I’m including it in this list of potty training books for toddlers because my kids LOVE it and beg for it to be read.
This is also a “lift-the-flap” type of book, but the flaps are quite a bit smaller.
I generally prefer potty training books with images of actual people rather than cartoon characters, but Elmo is loveable and really resonates with some kids.
Potty Time! by Scarlett Wing
- Join Daniel Tiger as we get ready to potty train. As you read the story, picture icons will prompt you to press the buttons and play the sound effects.
- The sturdy handle is just right for little hands, at home or on the go. Potty Time! is great for all little Daniel Tiger Neighborhood fans getting ready for toilet training!
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If your little boy or girl is a big fan of Daniel Tiger, then they will absolutely love this adorable book that teaches them to go potty.
It also comes with a neat little handle that allows your tot to take it with them anywhere you go.
But this picture book is not just about looks!
There’s plenty of useful advice for your toddler, such as making sure to go to the bathroom before leaving the house.
I’m the Potty Master! By Liz Fletcher
- Time to potty train? Great! Lets do this! Im the Potty Master has helped kiddos all over the globe flush with confidence.
- Through fun, imagination, and adventure, your child will be inspired to ditch their diapers and become the Potty Master in just a matter of days. Youve got this!
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Alongside Louie the adorable elephant, I’m sure that no toddler would be able to resist using their potty.
The story also teaches little ones that with diapers out of the way, they will have lots of extra time to play with their friends and have fun all day long!
Big Girls Go Potty by Marianne Richmond
- From beloved author Marianne Richmond, comes a warm, reassuring story to show your toddler just how successful shell be at going potty!
- Sure to become a favorite practical book with fans who adore Mariannes artwork and insightful prose, this book speaks directly to the little one, giving her an extra hug and big smile.
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Big Girls Go Potty is a wonderful story to read to your little girl and prepare her for this important milestone!
I love how interactive this book is — by asking questions such as “What kind of big girl things can you do?” it encourages your daughter to take pride in all the things she can do on her own and teaches her that even though mistakes happen, it’s okay!
Big Boy Underpants by Fran Manushkin
- Snappy, rhyming text and bright, quirky illustrations sound the perfect note to encourage toddlers who want to wear big boy underpants.
- Sturdy board pages will hold up to repeated readings, as little boys get ready to say, “Bye-bye, diapers!”
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Not to let boys feel ignored, here’s an adorable book for your little man to learn all about wearing big boy pants!
It’s especially helpful for tots who don’t care for the new underwear you bought them and will help them let go of their diapers as you transition them to the potty.
“Bloop, Bloop!” Goes the Poop by Temara Moore
- Bloop, Bloop! Goes the Poop is based on the true story of a little boy who is confused about the rumbling noises coming from his tummy.
- He needs to know what to do to stop those noises! Help him make it to the potty in time while having fun with sounds.
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Lots of toddlers get used to going number 1 on the potty pretty easily, but number 2 can be a different challenge altogether.
To help your little one get used to pooping on the potty, the story describes how a boy gets rumbles in his tummy and what he does about it.
The author gets bonus points on placing lots of emphasis on washing your hands, too!
Diapers Are Not Forever by Elizabeth Verdick
- Learning to use the potty takes patience and practice, and this charming, straightforward book helps pave the way.
- Includes helpful tips for teachers, parents, and caregivers
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When trying to potty train your kids, it’s all about getting them to understand that getting bigger also means leaving diapers behind.
This book does so with bright and colorful illustrations that do an amazing job of teaching kiddos why it’s important to use the potty.
READ NEXT:
- Why We Wait to Potty Train Until Age 3
- Pull Up Diapers: 9 Best Training Pants For Your Toddler
- 10 Best Ways For A Successful Night Time Potty Training
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