The Best Potty Training Books To Get Parents And Kids On Track

Potty training is both an exciting and intimidating milestone, and when parents need some help to get started, the best potty training books can provide the confidence and tools to accomplish the task. Potty training books for kids help children to understand what it means to go potty and can give them the motivation to try.

The best potty training books help make the potty training process easier for both kids and parents. When reading potty training books for parents, remember to take the advice with a grain of salt. There is no one right way to potty train, and you’ll likely use bits and pieces of different methods.

You might even find yourself taking a break or switching strategies. “There isn't a lot of science to potty training, but there are different methods that fit different temperaments. Parents should choose what works for them and what is right for their child,” says Mariel Benjamin, LCSW, program director at the Mount Sinai Parenting Center and vice president of groups and content at Cooper .

As you get ready to potty train, typically around age 2 to 3, make sure you also pick out the best potty training seat . You might also want to stock up on the best children’s books to read while they sit on the potty. The Best Potty Training Books At A Glance The Best Potty Training Books For Kids Amazon In this book, kids follow Elmo and his younger cousins as they navigate potty training, from recognizing they are wet to dealing with accidents.

It includes plenty of flaps for toddlers to lift, which our parenting editor confirms kept her little one engaged in the story. “She didn’t really watch Sesame Street , but still loved discovering what was under each flap,” says Rose Gordon Sala , senior editor of baby and kids gear at Forbes Vetted.

“It’s a really accessible and fun book that my kid certainly responding positively to.” According to Benjamin, books that feature kids’ favorite characters can be helpful, and with nearly 25,000 5 star ratings on Amazon, it’s a tried and tested book to help toddlers conquer the potty. Amazon Recommended by Benjamin and one of my personal favorites, Potty uses simple language that’s easy for toddlers to understand.

It follows a young child who contemplates what to do when they have to go to the bathroom. The toddler observes what pets do when they have to go and eventually succeeds in going on the potty. The phrasing along with bright and uncomplicated illustrations make this an engaging book for toddlers. Amazon In this book, toddlers start to learn what it means to go on the potty and get an introduction to the concept.

“It has great illustrations and interactive flaps for the child to play with. It is also short and sweet,” says Theresa Bertuzzi, chief program development officer and cofounder of Tiny Hoppers , an early childhood learning center. The child in the book makes mistakes, which can help both kids and parents remember that accidents happen during potty training—and that’s OK.

Amazon Of course, firefighters go to the potty, but your toddler who is learning this new skill for the first time might not know that. This book walks kids through various scenarios and places and shows them that no matter what job someone has or who they are, everyone goes to the potty. “I love the way this children’s book approaches potty training with plenty of humor and a lighthearted, friendly tone,” says Sala.

“I remember this being my son’s favorite potty book. The kids meet lots of different people in the story, too.” Kids learn to laugh along with the characters when an astronaut has toilet paper stuck to his boot or kids open a flap to find somebody still sitting on the toilet. Amazon Unlike some of the other more introductory books, Time to Pee! actually walks kids through the process of using the potty.

The hardcover and paperback books (not the board book) also comes with a success chart and stickers, which can be a helpful way for parents and caregivers to reward kids for using the potty. The book uses very simple language, and it’s appropriate for boys and girls. Many parents also like that it uses words like “toilet” and “bathroom” instead of “potty.” The Best Potty Training Books For Parents Amazon At the beginning of this book, there is a quiz that helps parents pinpoint their child’s temperament, personality and attitude toward diapers.

“Based on this result, you gain a better understanding of what may work and what won't for your child during the process,” says Bertuzzi. As the name implies, this book can reduce some of the stress parents feel during potty training by providing them with a range of techniques and reminding them that potty training isn’t one size fits all.

Amazon If you’re looking to potty train quickly, this is the book for you. It’s a popular book that gives parents a 5 step potty training plan. Even though it’s a quick 3 day method, the book doesn’t solely focus on those three days. It teaches parents how to prep for potty training and what to expect after those three days are over.

You’ll also find guidance to help you learn when your child is ready and tips on nighttime potty training, which can be a whole different beast. Amazon Recommended by Bertuzzi, Success With Potty Training! skips the potty training seat, pull ups and training underwear. “Taking a model after approach to potty training, Allen explains every step and the reasoning behind it.

Plus, the book has helpful preparatory checklists for parents and progress charts and diagrams for children, which can be hung in the bathroom,” Bertuzzi says. The book uses a play based method and prioritizes motivating kids to use the potty. It also includes tips for common sticking points, such as leaving a newly potty trained child in someone else’s care and going on car trips.

Amazon Even if this isn’t your first time potty training a child, every time can feel like your first because each kid is so different. Sala shared that each of her children were potty trained at a different age. This book uses a 3 day method. It provides parents with a guide and gives them the information they need to feel confident about potty training.

The book helps parents learn when their child is likely ready for potty training, how to potty train boys vs. girls and how to approach naps and nighttime. The author Jazmine McCoy is a clinical psychologist and uses a positive approach to potty training. Amazon Oh Crap! Potty Training encourages parents to potty train on the earlier side, between 20 and 30 months, so keep that age range in mind when considering this book.

It intertwines humor with potty training advice, which can help lighten the mood during a time that can be stressful for parents. The book follows a 6 step process and provides tips for solving common problems parents run into while potty training. Why Trust Forbes Vetted Forbes Vetted has extensive experience reviewing and recommending baby and kids gear for all ages and types of families.

When putting together a story like this, we draw from our own experiences as parents, as well as consulting experts and poring over reviews to gauge the best and most helpful recommendations. The author of this story, Alicia Betz, is a mom of three who covers parenting and education topics. She has tested and reviewed a variety of topics for Forbes Vetted, including the convertible car seats , baby toys and twin strollers .

She interviewed several experts for this story: Mariel Benjamin of Mount Sinai Parenting Center and Cooper ; Theresa Bertuzzi, chief program development officer and cofounder of Tiny Hoppers ; and Allison Wilson, senior director of curriculum and innovation at Stratford School . How We Chose The Best Potty Training Books I selected books that I have read and enjoyed or were recommended by the experts interviewed, as well as my editor Sala, who has potty trained three children.

I also researched new titles and pored over the reviews. I’ve also interviewed authors of potty training books in my career as a parenting journalist, so I understand what to look for in their suggested strategies. As a mom to a 5 year old and twin 2 year olds, I have experience in potty training and am currently gearing up for round two.

While choosing the best books, I thought about what would be most helpful for me and my kids as we get ready to start potty training. I narrowed down this list by including children’s books that appeal to various interests and parent’s books that approach potty training from a range of viewpoints..