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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.