My Big Boy Potty

(Author), Maxie Chambliss (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-This set of gender-specific potty-training books is a cut above the rest in an already crowded field. Like Alyssa Satin Capucilli's The Potty Book for Boys and The Potty Book for Girls (both Barron's, 2000), their texts are identical, except for the gender references. "Michael is a boy just your age." "Ashley is a girl just your age." However, the direct, engaging language and questions aimed at young listeners make these titles far superior to Capucilli's singsong offerings. In both of Cole's titles, the parents buy a potty, encourage their child to use it, and eventually success is achieved. While the watercolor illustrations are not identical in the two books, they are very similar and add a cheerful, perky touch, portraying a boy/girl well into the toddler stage, surrounded by loving, smiling parents (no stress here). Cole's Your New Potty (Morrow, 1989) traces the progress of both a girl and boy, with alternating looks at each child, using photographs that, like Fred Rogers's Going to the Potty (PaperStar, 1997), give young listeners a look at other "real" children learning this momentous skill. Both Cole's older book and the newer pair include useful, clearly stated tips for parents.
Jane Marino, Scarsdale Public Library, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Reviewed with Joanna Cole's My Big Girl Potty.

Ages 1-3. This book is very reassuring, leaving the impression that little Michael or Ashley (or any child) will be able to succeed at potty training. Cole's matter-of-fact text points out that practice makes perfect, while Chambliss' watercolor illustrations show smiles all around--on Mommy and Daddy's faces, on the kids' faces, and even on the stuffed animals' faces. There is no yelling, no scariness, and no one gets in trouble for having an accident. Michael, with his stuffed bear, and Ashley, with her stuffed bunny, easily transition from diapers to big-kid pants, and their satisfaction at accomplishing this feat is very apparent. The text is the same in both volumes except for one added line in the boys' book: "Daddy showed Michael how to stand up when he made pee-pee." The last page includes "Tips for Successful Potty Teaching," which is directed at parents. Kathy Broderick
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Baby-Preschool
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st edition (December 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688170420
• ISBN-13: 978-0688170424
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 6.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,698 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, entertaining, and perfect, October 13, 2000

By	L. Williams (Capital District, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

We bought this book for our son who is 2. We are starting the potty training experience but didn't want to push him into it. He loves this book and he (and I) can recite it page by page from memory. A great way to introduce the idea of the potty to your child. Clear simple language is wonderful. Pee pee and poop are words most parents are comfortable with, and there is no mention of anatomy for those who are not comfortable with terms for body parts. The illustrations are adorable. All around a great book.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Lifesaver!, August 24, 2001

By	Stephanie Freel (Melbourne, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This book is a must when potty training. My son is now officially trained, but during the course of it all, this book was worth it's weight in gold. My son really identified with the little boy Michael, and I think it really influenced him to be "A Big Boy". The book is very warm, fuzzy and is written in a kind and forgiving nature, (the mommy and daddy are very patient and kind with Michael) which is so important during this time in a child's life. The illustrations are bright and cheerful and the book is a perfect size for little hands...I love it!!!

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for a Stubborn 3 year old, June 25, 2004

By	reestar "reestar" (Riverside, CA United States) - See all my reviews

My son is now 3 years and 7 months old and FINALLY potty trained. Alhtough other books were cute, this one was practical explaining accidents and the need for night time diapers after day time training. Very cute and one of my sons favorite books.