If you are homeschooling, your child is likely already using the toilet. But maybe not, or maybe your child has a younger sibling, so I hope this post is still useful. There are many great books to help children learn to use the potty – books that get children familiar with the concept as a whole, and books that help children learn the process, or learn not to be afraid. Here are a few good picture books, as well as a potty training book for adults that is popular at my library. Special shoutout to Dinosaur vs. The Potty, which I previously mentioned in my post about dinosaur books.

Potty Training Books – Potty Time

Let’s Go to the Potty! by Allison Jandu

This is a straightforward book about potty training, but I like so much about it. I like that the child in the book is not gendered, so it can be used for any child. I like that the child’s toy giraffe also gets to learn how to use the potty. And I love that when the child is successful and tells what appears to be grandparents (but it’s not specified, so could be neighbors or whatever), the old man looks so adorably happy and proud of the child. It’s a big accomplishment, and I love that the child is being celebrated.

Potty Training Books – Superstars

Superstar Potty Training for Boys by Violet Giannone

Superstar Potty Training for Girls by Violet Giannone

Generally I’m okay with gender-neutrality, but it can also be helpful to have books that keep in mind that some people sit to urinate while other people stand. This is essentially one book, with a few differences based on the child’s anatomy. And remember that you don’t have to read books exactly as written. If you are not planning on using training pants, or you plan on using them day and night at first, you can change the words on the pages that mention “special sleeping underwear” and “big-kid underwear.”

The most important thing to remember about accidents is to never shame the child for it, because it can cause setbacks. Rather than shaming, these books empower children by calling them superstars. Even after learning to use the potty accidents can happen, but the child is still a superstar – “superstars don’t give up! Just get back on the potty.” I love that.

Don’t Be Afraid

The Saddest Toilet in the World by Sam Apple

This is a silly book, but the subject is real… to a point. Danny is scared to sit on the toilet, and the toilet gets so sad that it runs away. Then Danny and his mom have to go out searching for it. Naturally, by the end of the book, Danny is no longer scared. Note for discussion – while Danny ends up using the toilet at the end of the book, and the toilet reminds him to flush, the reader doesn’t see him wash his hands. If you read this book to your child, you might want to bring that up. (“I hope Danny remembered to wash his hands after flushing the toilet! That’s something we have to do every single time.”)

Fast Track to Potty Training

Potty Training in 3 Days by Brandi Brucks

Potty training can be a big challenge, and the longer it takes, the more frustrating it is for everyone involved. This book gets checked out from my library about 8 times a year (which is a lot, given the limited scope and target audience!). It has an average of 4.25 stars on Goodreads with over 5000 ratings. One of the best things about Potty Training in 3 Days is that it’s a short book – even busy parents with young children can read it without feeling the need to skim. The book gets right to the point, and the method is quick. If you stick with the plan, you can have a child using the potty in as little as 3 days. There may still be accidents, but there are plenty of tips here to help get past that too.

Check out Miss Michelle’s Book Nook

Miss Michelle shares her book recommendations each month on the In Our Homeschool blog. Find links to all of her posts here.

Miss Michelle is the sister of Kristen, who writes this blog. She has a daughter who is 10 and a son who is 5. They are not home-schooled, but Miss Michelle is super supportive and proud of her sister for doing it. She has been a full-time Children’s Librarian for over 16 years and loves to recommend her favorite books. You can follow her on Goodreads, where she keeps track of books she has read for storytime, at https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/170007385-miss-michelle.