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10 Best Potty Training Books

There are some childhood milestones that parents look forward to with great anticipation – first words or first steps or the first time your baby sleeps through the night (hallelujah!).

Other milestones? Can send a little prick of fear into your heart.

And potty training is definitely one of those milestones.

It’s great to HAVE a potty trained child. Doing the actual training can be  . . . less thrilling.

Like many things, a few picture books can go a long way to starting up a discussion of what’s ahead for your child and some fun, light-hearted potty training books can be a perfect way to introduce the idea to your child before you actually start potty training.

potty training books

Here are some of my favorite books about potty training: 


P is for Potty! (Sesame Street) by Naomi Kleinberg, illustrated by Christopher Moroney
This delightful lift-the-flap book is illustrated with everyone’s’ favorite Sesame Street character- Elmo. It’s interactive and a great way to get your little one interested in using the potty all on their own.


Potty by Leslie Patricelli

The inner dialogue of a toddler can be pretty funny. And when it comes to the question of where to go to the bathroom, it’s even funnier. The inner dialogue questions will be sure to have your little ones shouting their responses along with Baby.


Even Firefighters Go to the Potty by Wendy Wax and Naomi Wax, illustrated by Stephen Gilpin 

Toddlers often know they have to go, but don’t want to stop playing to go to the bathroom. This funny lift-the-flap book teaches toddlers that everyone- from fire fighters to zookeepers have to stop what they’re doing and go potty!

The Prince and the Potty by Wendy Cheyette Lewison, illustrated by Keiko Motoyama

The king and queen are worried that their little prince will never learn to use the potty and that he will become king one day still wearing diapers! That just won’t do. They consult the royal wise man who counsels the king and queen to get the prince a puppy. Can the puppy inspire the prince to use the potty?


Big Girls Go Potty by Marianne Richmond

This book has truly charming illustrations and does a great job of outlining the potty training experience. It’s a very practical book that will give your child a good introduction and help them to know what to expect from potty training.

Duck Goes Potty by Michael Dahl, illustrated by Oriol Vidal

This book will be sure to make your toddler laugh as Duck learns how to go potty. It teaches that it’s okay to have a few accidents and that everyone learns how to be a “big duck” after some trial and error.


My Big Girl Potty by Joanna Cole, illustrated by Maxie Chambliss

Great guide for toddlers (and parents) to navigate through potty training. It walks through the process and helps children know what to expect from potty training and also includes a helpful “note to parents” page.


Diapers Are Not Forever by Elizabeth Verdick, illustrated by Marieka Heinlen

I like the straightforward approach this book takes to potty training. It’s very positive and encourages young children to be excited about this new change from diapers to underwear and using the potty.

Goldilocks and the Just Right Potty by Leigh Hodgkinson

Goldilocks needs a potty that’s not too big, or too small, but just right. And she doesn’t want underwear that is too frilly or silly, but just right. This is a funny book that will have your child ready to try potty training.

The Potty Book for Boys by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Dorothy Stott   
(they have a girls version too)
Written in rhyming verse, this is a fun to read book about a little boy learning how to use the potty. It encourages independence and the exciting transition from diapers to underwear.
By the way, all the other potty training books on this list are aimed at children. But I can’t not mention Oh Crap! Potty Training by Jamie Glowacki which is for adults and was recommended literally dozens of times. I haven’t read it and don’t plan to since all my children are potty trained at this point, but if you’re looking for a guide to help you as a parent with the task of potty training, it’s probably worth checking out a copy!
And if you’d like a printable copy of this potty training book list that you can take to your library or screenshot on your phone for easy access, just pop in your email address below and it’ll come right to your inbox!

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