Everyone Poops (My Body Science) (Hardcover)

by Taro Gomi (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Okay, so everyone does it--does everyone have to talk about it? True, kids at a certain stage of development may find the subject riveting--but their parents may well not want to read to them about it. Here we learn that birds do it, bees do it, kids with bended knees do it. We are told about big poop and little poop, animals that poop while moving and animals that poop from a stationary position, why and where people poop--in short, we get the scoop on poop. The pictures, far from Gomi's best work, leave nothing to the imagination either. In case the message hasn't sunk in, the final spread presents a chorus line of creatures, backsides forward, each producing poop. Call it what you will, by euphemism or by expletive, poop by any name seems an unsuitable picture book subject--a view not helped by this artless presentation. Ages 18 mos.-4 yrs.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1-- Well yes, they do, but does anyone really need an entire book on the subject? In this Japanese import, readers are informed on page one that "an elephant makes a big poop, a mouse makes a tiny poop." Later on, they are told that it comes in different shapes, colors, and smells, and that, depending on who is doing it, it is done in different places. The summarizing statement is that "all living things eat, so everyone poops." However, there is never any explanation offered as to why. Overall, the text is merely a series of rather dull pictures of back ends of people on toilets and animals, with captions identifying them and occasionally posing questions such as "What does a whale's poop look like?" (No answer is provided.) There is even a little joke: "A one hump camel makes a one hump poop. And a two hump camel makes a two hump poop. Just kidding." I wish I were. --Denise L. Moll, Lone Pine Elementary School, West Bloomfield, MI
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Baby-Preschool
  
• Hardcover: 27 pages
• Publisher: Kane/Miller Book Pub; 1 edition (March 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0916291456
• ISBN-13: 978-0916291457
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (226 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #84,739 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

100 of 104 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Funny Book to Aid Toilet Training (or Just For Laughs), December 30, 2000

By	christinemm - The Thinking Mother (Connecticut, United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

A hilarious book showing many kinds of animals, their poop, and describing where and how they poop (e.g. while walking). Also reviewed are the ways a baby poops in a diaper, small child in a potty, and older children and adults on a toilet. Hysterical graphics such as rear view of child sitting on toilet with the poop in midair, which we see between the gap in his buttock cheeks. Other scenes demonstrate how the toilet is flushed and the poop is washed down the pipes.

Illustrations are cartoon like. This was originally published in Japan and therefore the human characters are all Asian. How lucky for us English-speaking parents to have this translated version!

The goal of this book is to review with the child the progression of moving from diapers to toilets. It is a funny way to talk about poop with the child. Every child who has seen our book laughs out loud. Many adults who have seen our book think it is so funny. The exception is my husband who thinks this is just gross. If you need to interject some humor in the toilet learning process, read this to your child!

Update December 2008: I'm surprised that I had said my husband thought the book was gross. He went on to like it, laugh at it, and to really like the book. By the time we were reading the book to our second child, my husband loved the book. We now buy this book for gifts for toddlers who are approaching the toilet training time.

Also Note: Toilet training is not always easy. No picture book can train your child to use the toilet! But a book can be a gateway for discussion between parent and child, and it can (depending on the book) add an element of laughter, which can be good medicine to what can sometimes be a stressful time for parent and child alike, especially for kids who are really anxious and scared about toilet training.

102 of 113 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delight for "poopers" of all ages and species, October 28, 2000

By	Michael J. Mazza (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

"An elephant makes a big poop--a mouse makes a tiny poop." These straightforward observations mark the beginning of Taro Gomi's wonderful picture book "Everyone Poops." Not only is this beautifully illustrated book a great way to teach kids about a basic body function, it's also a wonderfully funny treat for adult readers.

I imagine that some prudish parents will be put off by Gomi's explicit (but charming) pictures of animals and humans taking "poops" of all shapes, sizes, and colors. But Gomi's basic message is sound: relieving one's bowels is a normal part of our everyday lives. In a world where too many people are too embarrassed to ask their doctor about colorectal cancer and other "poop"-related health problems, Taro Gomi's book is especially valuable. If the child (or parent) who enjoys this book feels less squeamish about discussing colorectal health concerns at a later time, than Gomi will have done more than just entertain; the author may have also helped save a life. So buy "Everyone Poops" and share it with the ones you love.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!, November 16, 2001

By	"jamuccio" (Rhode Island) - See all my reviews

My 2 year old is obsessed with "poopy". When we started to potty train her, she was upset when she did a poopy. To address this problem, we bought Everyone Poops. She loves it and the phrase, "It's OK, because everyone poops!" has become a favorite in our household. I highly recommend this one!