Why Books Are One of the Best Potty Training Tools
Before you put a single pair of training pants on your toddler, one of the most effective things you can do is read potty training books together. Not to teach them the mechanics of using the toilet — children pick that up quickly enough in practice — but to normalise the whole idea before it becomes a real expectation.
A well-chosen potty training book does several things at once: it introduces the concept in a safe, low-pressure way; it gives you a shared language and vocabulary for talking about the process; it answers the questions children often have but cannot articulate; and for many children, it builds a genuine enthusiasm and curiosity about using the potty that makes the real training go much more smoothly.
Here are the books I recommend — both for children and for parents.
Reading together about the potty before training starts builds readiness and reduces anxiety.
Best Potty Training Books for Children
1. Potty by Leslie Patricelli
Best for: Ages 12–24 months — the earliest introduction to the potty concept
If I could recommend only one potty training book for very young toddlers, this would be it. Leslie Patricelli's simple, cheerful board book features a baby working out what the potty is for, with minimal text and warm, funny illustrations that children aged 1–2 absolutely love.
The genius of this book is in its simplicity. It does not overwhelm with explanation — it just presents the potty as a normal, interesting part of growing up. Children who have been read this book repeatedly often start showing interest in the real potty before you have even decided to start training.
Find Potty by Leslie Patricelli on Amazon
2. Once Upon a Potty by Alona Frankel
Best for: Ages 18 months–3 years — explains the process clearly and warmly
Once Upon a Potty has been a potty training classic since the 1970s and it remains one of the best because it actually explains what the potty is for with gentle directness. Available in a "him" and "her" version, it follows a child learning to use the potty with encouragement from their parent.
The anatomically correct illustrations were considered bold when the book was first published and remain unusual — but they answer the questions children are often quietly wondering about their bodies without making a big deal of it. Many parents report that their child asks to read this one repeatedly during the pre-training period.
Find Once Upon a Potty on Amazon
3. My Big Girl/Boy Potty by Joanna Cole
Best for: Ages 2–3 years — focuses on the "big kid" motivational angle
Joanna Cole's My Big Girl Potty and My Big Boy Potty tap directly into the developmental motivation that drives most successful potty training: the desire to be like older children and grown-ups. The books follow a young child through the process of learning to use the potty, with warm illustrations and reassuring text that normalises the occasional accident.
The "big girl/big boy" framing is simple but powerful for children who are developmentally ready and want to be seen as growing up. A great complement to Patricelli for children who are closer to the active training phase.
Find My Big Boy/Girl Potty on Amazon
4. Everybody Poops by Taro Gomi
Best for: Ages 18 months–3 years — particularly useful for children anxious about pooing in the potty
Everybody Poops is not strictly a potty training book — it is more of a demystification of the whole concept of bodily functions — but it is one of the most useful books in a potty trainer's library for one specific reason: it normalises pooing completely.
For children who are reluctant or anxious about pooing in the potty — which is extremely common — this book’s matter-of-fact, even humorous approach to the subject takes away some of the mystery and anxiety. It says, simply and clearly: everyone does this. It is normal. It is fine.
Find Everybody Poops on Amazon
5. Princess Potty / Pirate Potty by Samantha Berger
Best for: Ages 2–3 years — for children who need character-based motivation
Some children respond better to potty training books with a strong character-based narrative that they can identify with. Samantha Berger's Princess Potty and Pirate Potty are entertaining, rhyming stories that make the potty training process feel like an adventure rather than a chore.
The "royal flush" sticker included in Princess Potty is a particular hit with many children — a physical reward they can look forward to from the first reading. A fun, motivating choice for children who love imaginative play.
The right books build familiarity and reduce anxiety before active training begins.
Best Potty Training Books for Parents
Oh Crap! Potty Training by Jamie Glowacki
Best for: Parents who want a clear, structured, research-backed method with strong philosophical grounding
Oh Crap! Potty Training has become the most recommended parent potty training book of the past decade for good reason. Jamie Glowacki is a parenting consultant who has helped thousands of families through the process, and her approach is refreshingly direct: she tells you exactly what to do, in what order, and why — and she is honest about what is hard.
The method involves a structured sequence moving from nappy-free to commando to loose clothing to trained, with clear guidance on reading your child's signals and responding consistently. The book is longer than it needs to be in places but the core content is excellent. If you want one parent guide to read, this is it.
Find Oh Crap! Potty Training on Amazon
Stress-Free Potty Training by Sara Au & Peter Stavinoha
Best for: Parents who want to tailor their approach to their child's specific personality type
This book’s most useful contribution is its personality-based framework: it identifies different child types — the goal-directed child, the sensory-oriented child, the internalising child, the impulsive child — and gives specific guidance for each. If you have read general potty training advice and felt like none of it quite fits your child, this book often provides the missing piece.
Particularly useful for parents of children with strong-willed temperaments, sensory sensitivities, or anxiety around the process.
Find Stress-Free Potty Training on Amazon
How to Use Books Most Effectively
- Start reading 2–4 weeks before active training begins — the goal is familiarity and normalisation, not instruction the week before
- Let your child ask for them — a child who wants to read the potty book repeatedly is pre-motivating themselves
- Read them at bathtime or bedtime as part of the routine — the relaxed association helps
- Reference them during training — "Remember what happened in the book when they felt that feeling? That is what is happening now!"
- Do not force the books — if your child is not interested in a particular title, try a different one. The right book for each child varies.
Regular reading together builds the language and familiarity that makes real training smoother.
Quick Summary: Books by Age and Purpose
| Book | Best Age | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Potty (Patricelli) | 12–24 months | First introduction to the concept |
| Once Upon a Potty | 18 months–3 years | Clear, warm explanation of the process |
| My Big Boy/Girl Potty | 2–3 years | Motivating "grown up" angle |
| Everybody Poops | 18 months–3 years | Normalising bowel movements, poo anxiety |
| Princess/Pirate Potty | 2–3 years | Character-driven motivation, imaginative children |
| Oh Crap! (parent) | Parent read | Clear structured method for parents |
| Stress-Free Potty Training (parent) | Parent read | Temperament-based approach |
Have a favourite potty training book that is not on this list? Leave a comment below — I love adding parent recommendations.
More posts that might help:
- 5 Signs Your Child Is Ready for Potty Training
- Potty Training Chart: How to Use One to Motivate Your Toddler
- The 3-Day Potty Training Method: A Real Parent's Guide
Written by Baby Potty Training Mommy — sharing real-world potty training advice since 2010. Read more about me here.
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my links I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I have used or thoroughly researched.
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