No More Diapers for Ducky! [Hardcover]

Bernette Ford (Author), Sam Williams (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 28, 2006 | Age Range: 2 - 4 years

No more diapers for me! That’s what toddlers will proudly proclaim after they hear this appealing tale of a lovable duck who takes the big step. When Piggy can’t come out to play because he’s busy sitting on the potty, Ducky realizes it’s time to grow up, too. A sweet and subtle story, with two huggable animals that children will embrace.

 

 

Bernette Ford is the author of the forthcoming First Snow, and co-author of Bright Eyes, Brown Skin. Sam Williams has illustrated numerous picture books for children, including Cold Little Duck, Duck, Duck by Lisa Westberg-Peters and Little Red by Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York.

 

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS–Ducky knocks on Piggy's door wanting to play, but Piggy is busy sitting on the potty. So Ducky waits. She plays with Piggy's toys and reads his books, but still he's not ready. Then she notices her own diaper. It feels cold. It feels wet. She kicks it off and declares, No more diapers for Ducky! The book ends with the porker waiting to play while his friend sits on the potty. Both text and illustrations are simple and endearing. The message is clear, yet subtle: learning to use the potty takes time, commitment, and willingness on the part of a child. The interaction between these toddlers and their implicit support of one another is charming. The dynamic characters, done in thick charcoal outlines and watercolor, are set against a white background. Details are kept to a minimum–a ball, some blocks, a few board books–allowing for a focused presentation of a highly charged time of life. This title is simpler and more relaxed than many others on the subject.–Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS. This simple toilet-training tale suggests reasons to abandon diapers (they feel "cold" and "wet") while also hinting at the potty's big-kid cachet. Ducky wants to play with Piggy, but Piggy is otherwise occupied behind a closed door: "I can't come out now. . . . I am sitting on the potty!" Intrigued, Ducky eventually "wriggles out of her diaper," "kicks [it] across the floor," and takes a turn in Piggy's bathroom. The odd, fluffy texture of Ducky's diaper may initially confuse children (it doesn't have much in common with the disposable or cloth versions kids will know), and some may wonder why an adult doesn't empty and clean the potty chair before Piggy passes it off to Ducky. But the absence of grown-ups throughout sends a valuable message about children approaching big transitions on their own terms, and the book's airy design; brief, oversize text; and droll watercolors from the illustrator of Cold Little Duck, Duck, Duck (2000) are right on target. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Age Range: 2 - 4 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Boxer Books (March 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 190541708X
• ISBN-13: 978-1905417087
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 9.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #263,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #66 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Toilet Training

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars A little too simplistic May 15, 2007

By A Parent

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I really like the other book in this series, "No More Bottles for Bunny". But this book is far less helpful in dealing with potty training than "Bottles for Bunny" is in dealing with bottle weaning. To summarize: Inspired by her friend Piggy's potty habits, Ducky decides one day that she doesn't want to wear diapers anymore. So she takes off her diaper and starts using the potty. And that's it. Oh, if only it were that easy for any child! There are no misgivings, no fears, no hesitation, no accidents, no back-and-forth between success and failure... It's cute, but it just doesn't accurately reflect the process of potty training. I'd recommend "A Potty for Me" by Karen Katz instead.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The ONLY thing that has helped for an older child! July 22, 2010

By M. A. Edema

Format:Hardcover

This book has been fantastic for my very stubborn three (almost four) year old who has not been able to figure out potty training. If you have a child like this, take heart, this book may help! When I potty trained my older two children, I had quick success. The rewards and the praise were all I needed to do. But I have this third little one who just wouldn't (couldn't?) do it. I have been told by strangers at the pool and at the park that I "just need to..." a dozen different things. But there are some kids who really have a block on this for one reason or another. We went from kids being motivated by one M&M to promising whole bags of candy and other treats to motivate this one. But she still can't get it. If you (and your child) are exhausted and discouraged and tired of everyone who catches a glimpse of your child's diaper offering you their two cents, I will first remind you of what a kind friend has pointed out to me "no one ever graduates from high school in a diaper." They'll get it eventually! But this book has helped us. My daughter loves this book and can already almost recite it after one week. It is great to remind her of when she is discouraged about trying. I remind her of Ducky and Piggy and how they had to sit for a while. Ducky notices in the book that her diaper is cold and wet. When a child is used to wearing a cold and wet diaper, she may need to be reminded that she could be more comfortable. I also noted the one review about how all the child had learned from the book was to rip off her diaper and kick it (which I can see wouldn't be very helpful). However, that part really helped my daughter. She has so much dread of going to sit on the potty, but the fact that she gets to rip off her diaper and kick it first makes it fun.

I can see that this book might not work for all children, but that is why I shared my story. I think it is a godsend for when Karen Katz' book and all the typical methods just don't work.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The favorite potty training book! September 22, 2008

By Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome VINE™ VOICE

Format:Board book|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is the favorite one of all my toddler's potty training books. My in-laws read and read this over and over and then tried to hide it because they read it so many times. My little one found it and wanted to read it again!

Many kids start potty training because a peer is potty training and that is what this book is about. It is a very simple book and just adorable.

Most potty training books are geared to a boy or a girl and this suits both just fine. If you have a little one that loves animals this is a sure winner. The artwork is wonderful.