[.ca] My Big Girl Potty (ISBN 0060854103)

Worth A Look:
Both Mommy and Daddy actively participating in Ashley's potty training process. Ashley realistic transitions from diapers to "special big-girl underpants" over time, not instantly. Author Joanna Cole uses questions to draw the child into the story ("Do you wear diapers, too?") as an encouraging parent would. The story concludes with ten common sense tips, such as "Don't rush!" and "Never scold or punish." and "Use a diaper at nap time..." We have read almost every potty book available on the market as of 9/2003 (over two dozen!). Most fit into two categories: INSTRUCTIONAL books that introduce the skills needed to master the potty; and those that are primarily ENTERTAINING, for children who understand what is supposed to happen on the potty, but need extra time to make it happen. I think My Big Girl Potty fits more in the INSTRUCTIONAL category for the following reasons: 1) It identifies the purpose of the potty. 2) It specifies bodily functions such as "poop" and "pee." 3) Shows the transition from diapers to big kid underwear. 4) Includes the hand washing step. For other potty books that are instructional, check out What to Expect When You Use the Potty by Heidi Murkoff or You Can Go to the Potty by Martha Sears.

She loves it!:
Even though I cannot credit this book for the moderate amount of potty training success we have had, I have to say that my daughter loves it. She talks about the "Ashley book" all of the time, and even named her stuffed bunny Floppy! I'm hoping in time she will get the full idea from this, not just as a resource for naming toys!

Nice easy book to read:
My daughter likes to have this book read to her while sitting on the potty. Great to teach her what she should be doing in a fun way.

Great Resource:
I purchased this book for my daughter to help in potty training her. Even though she likes 'The Potty Book - For Girls' by Alyssa Satin Capucilli better, she enjoys this book as well. Showing all the stages of potty training including showing Ashley sitting on the potty w/ her clothes on, then removing her diaper, accidents and finally, 'big girl' underwear, it helps little ones to understand the concept of 'going' on the potty. I gave this book 4 stars only in that it's a little more 'wordy' than 'The Potty Book - For Girls' and isn't as colorful but I do recommend it to anyone.

Favorite Potty Book!:
I think we've purchased every potty book there is to have and this one is my daughter's FAVORITE! She calls it the RED potty book and we lost our first copy and had to replace it quickly. It's simple and easy to understand without being condescending or cutesy. When my daughter has an accident, I always say, "That's okay, honey -- children have accidents when they're learning. Remember Ashley in your red potty book?" Then we go read it again. And again. Any of you with toddlers know their fourth most favorite word: 'Gain!