The Babble List: The Best Potty-Training Entertainment
Get your kid out of diapers with these 15 storybooks, videos and songs.
by Paul Barman
May 4, 2009
"Daddy read me a story!" The yell comes down the hallway from a hesitant munchkin, atop the potty, not yet privy to the pleasures of privacy.
Good thing we keep a shelf stocked with topical books and songs, in waterproof boombox, to both entertain and encourage forward movement. — Paul Barman
1. Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi
The best book, with the most improvisational potential, by the most brilliant and accomplished author/illustrator (heretofore 'authostrator') is Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi.
Part of the superb 'My Body Science' Series.
"A one-hump camel makes a one-hump poop.
And a two-hump camel makes a two-hump poop.
Only kidding!"
2. Once Upon A Potty by Alona Frankel
A bestseller for 30 years, Once Upon A Potty created a cottage industry of dolls, videos, and the obligatory female version.
It is unique, not only for its introduction of an old fashioned porcelain jug, rather than a modern toilet, but for its focus on patience.
Where To Buy:
Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi
Once Upon A Potty book by Alona Frankel
Once Upon a Potty girls' version
Once Upon a Potty video
A Potty For Me by Karen Katz
Time to Pee by Mo Willems
"He sat
and sat and sat and sat
and sat and sat and sat
and sat and sat and sat
and sat and sat and sat
and sat and sat and sat
and sat and sat and sat
and sat and sat and sat
and sat and sat and sat
and sat and sat and sat
and sat and sat and sat
and sat and sat and sat
and sat and sat and sat
and sat and sat and sat
and sat and sat and sat
and sat and sat and sat
and sat and sat and sat
and sat and sat and sat
and sat and sat and sat
3. Potty Time with Bear in the Big Blue House
This beautiful Henson precursor to It's a Big Big World lived on the Disney Channel for four years.
"Do you want to know a secret?
To learn to use the potty,
all you have to do is listen to your body."
4. Time to Pee by Mo Willems
Dedicated to "going #1", Time to Pee by Mo Willems, authostrator of the popular Pigeon series, comes with a success chart and stickers. My family has found stickers to be a tantalizing and sugar-free impetus for a job well-done or well-attempted. Good potty books focus on identifying the feeling of needing to go, not the potty itself, and not messless execution.
"Don't worry if you don't get it right the first time — you'll get another chance."
5. A Potty For Me by Karen Katz
Karen Katz, master of simplicity, strikes again with a lift-the-flap board book.
"I've always gone in diapers. That's what they are for.
[image of clean unused diapers being tossed into trash]
But mom says when I'm ready I won't need them anymore."
©2009 Babble
About the Author
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Paul Barman is a lyricist, game designer and 'fauthor' of two.
Based in NYC, he writes for print, web, music and film.
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