10+ Best Potty Training Books for 2-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)
Embarking on the potty training journey with your toddler can feel daunting, but you're not alone! Potty training books for 2-year-olds can be a fantastic resource to ease the process for both you and your little one. These books blend fun stories and practical advice to help make potty training a positive experience. Curious about which books might work best for your toddler? Keep reading to discover a variety of potty training books for 2-year-olds that could make all the difference!
Table of Contents
Fun Potty Training Books for 2-Year-Olds
- Oh Crap! Potty Training by Jamie Glowacki
- Genre(s): Parenting, Self-Help
- Synopsis: This practical guide provides a six-step plan to help parents get their toddlers out of diapers and onto the toilet.
- Why we recommend this book: It breaks down the potty training process into clear, manageable steps with a touch of humor to keep the mood light.
- Perfect for: Parents and caregivers looking for a straightforward, effective approach to potty training.
- Potty by Leslie Patricelli, illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
- Synopsis: This charming board book features a toddler’s journey towards using the potty for the first time, with engaging illustrations and minimal text.
- Why we recommend this book: Its simple, repetitive phrases and delightful illustrations make it appealing and understandable for young children.
- Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to explore potty training and parents who appreciate a humorous touch.
- The Potty Train by David Hochman and Ruth Kennison, illustrated by Derek Anderson
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
- Synopsis: The book uses the analogy of a train journey to make the potty training process fun and engaging for kids.
- Why we recommend this book: The creative train theme captures children’s imagination and makes the learning process enjoyable.
- Perfect for: Young train enthusiasts and children who are visual learners.
- Potty Superhero: Get Ready for Big Boy Pants! by Mabel Forsyth, illustrated by Ailie Busby
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Motivational
- Synopsis: This book encourages toddlers to become a "potty superhero" as they learn how to use the potty.
- Why we recommend this book: It empowers children by making them feel like superheroes in their potty training journey.
- Perfect for: Young children who love superheroes and need a motivational boost for potty training.
- Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi, illustrated by Taro Gomi
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
- Synopsis: A frank and straightforward depiction of a natural bodily function, showing a variety of animals and humans pooping.
- Why we recommend this book: It normalizes pooping for toddlers who are potty training, using clear and engaging illustrations.
- Perfect for: Children who are curious about biology and animals, and those who need reassurance that everyone poops.
Educational Potty Training Books for 2-Year-Olds
- Where's the Poop? by Julie Markes, illustrated by Susan Kathleen Hartung
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
- Synopsis: This interactive lift-the-flap book helps toddlers understand where they should go when they need to use the bathroom.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of bathroom habits, animal recognition, interactive reading
- Why we recommend this book: It combines fun with learning, using flaps for children to lift and discover animals and their potty habits, which makes potty training less intimidating.
- Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy interactive reading and are just starting with potty training.
- Potty Time with Elmo by Kelli Kaufmann, illustrated by Sue DiCicco
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Interactive
- Synopsis: Elmo and his friends guide toddlers through the steps of using the potty with fun sounds and encouraging words.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Potty training basics, sound recognition, following instructions
- Why we recommend this book: It uses familiar characters from Sesame Street and sound buttons to engage toddlers in a playful and comforting way.
- Perfect for: Young Sesame Street fans and children who respond well to auditory learning.
- Duck Goes Potty by Michael Dahl, illustrated by Oriol Vidal
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
- Synopsis: Little Duck learns the big step of using the potty as he transitions from diapers.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Potty training process, animal characters, overcoming challenges
- Why we recommend this book: The story is simple and relatable, making the daunting task of potty training seem achievable and normal.
- Perfect for: Toddlers who love animal stories and those who are just beginning to understand potty training.
- Princess Potty by Samantha Berger, illustrated by Amy Cartwright
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fantasy
- Synopsis: A young princess learns to use her royal potty in a fun and charming way.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Potty training, imaginative play, independence
- Why we recommend this book: It incorporates a playful, royal twist to potty training, appealing to children who love fairy tales and princess stories.
- Perfect for: Little ones who are inspired by princesses and fantasy, making their potty training experience magical and enjoyable.
- Pirate Potty by Samantha Berger, illustrated by Amy Cartwright
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Adventure
- Synopsis: A pirate-themed approach to potty training that includes a pirate potty chart and stickers.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Potty training, reward system understanding, themed learning
- Why we recommend this book: It makes potty training an exciting adventure, complete with pirate lingo and a treasure map that leads to potty success.
- Perfect for: Young adventurers and any child who thrives on interactive and themed learning experiences.
Challenging Potty Training Books for 2-Year-Olds
- Once Upon a Potty by Alona Frankel
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
- Synopsis: This classic book provides a gentle and straightforward explanation of how a little boy or girl (available in separate editions) learns to use the potty.
- Why this book is challenging: It uses a narrative style that requires the child to follow along with a story, rather than just presenting facts or actions.
- Why we recommend this book: It personalizes the potty training experience with a relatable character, helping children see themselves in the story.
- Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories and can engage with a continuous narrative.
- What to Expect When You Use the Potty by Heidi Murkoff, illustrated by Laura Rader
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
- Synopsis: Part of the "What to Expect" series, this book addresses children’s curiosity about potty training through a series of questions and answers.
- Why this book is challenging: It introduces a Q&A format which can help develop critical thinking and understanding.
- Why we recommend this book: It's educational and addresses the common fears and questions children might have, making them feel more comfortable with the process.
- Perfect for: Curious toddlers who have lots of questions about the potty training process.
- Big Girl Panties by Fran Manushkin, illustrated by Valeria Petrone
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Empowerment
- Synopsis: This book celebrates the achievement of transitioning from diapers to big girl panties with a fun and vibrant character.
- Why this book is challenging: The book uses rhyme and rhythm, which can be more engaging but also more complex for young listeners.
- Why we recommend this book: It promotes a positive and celebratory approach to achieving a potty training milestone.
- Perfect for: Young girls who are excited about growing up and becoming more independent.
- No More Diapers for Ducky! by Bernette Ford, illustrated by Sam Williams
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Friendship
- Synopsis: When Ducky visits Piggy, she notices that Piggy doesn't wear diapers anymore, which inspires her to give up her diapers as well.
- Why this book is challenging: It explores social and emotional aspects of potty training, such as peer influence and the desire for independence.
- Why we recommend this book: It uses peer examples to motivate children, showing them that their friends are learning too.
- Perfect for: Toddlers who are influenced by their peers and respond to social cues.
- Time to Pee! by Mo Willems
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Instructional
- Synopsis: This book offers a step-by-step guide to using the potty with encouragement and humor, guided by a group of friendly mice.
- Why this book is challenging: It employs a unique visual narrative style with instructions embedded in illustrations, requiring the child to interpret both text and images.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and non-intimidating way to introduce children to the potty, with humorous and supportive messages.
- Perfect for: Children who appreciate visual learning and enjoy being guided through new experiences with humor.
Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit
Hey there! If you're diving into the world of potty training books with your 2-year-old, why not pair that with some fun exercises to boost their reading habits? Here’s a list of engaging exercises that can make reading a delightful part of your toddler’s daily routine.
- Picture Walk
- What it is: Browse through a book, looking at and talking about the pictures before reading the text.
- How it helps: Encourages imagination and helps the child to connect images with words.
- Tips: Ask your child to guess what the book might be about based on the pictures.
- Story Predictions
- What it is: Pause during reading to predict what might happen next in the story.
- How it helps: Enhances comprehension skills and keeps the child engaged.
- Tips: Keep the predictions fun and lighthearted; there are no wrong answers!
- Read Aloud Together
- What it is: Take turns reading aloud from a book with your child.
- How it helps: Improves vocabulary and reading fluency.
- Tips: Use different voices for different characters to make the reading more entertaining.
- Match the Sound
- What it is: Identify objects in the book and discuss the sounds they make.
- How it helps: Strengthens phonetic awareness and early reading skills.
- Tips: Encourage your child to make the sounds themselves, turning it into a playful activity.
- Role Play
- What it is: Act out scenes from the book using simple props or costumes.
- How it helps: Helps with memory retention and understanding of the story.
- Tips: Let your child take the lead in choosing scenes and roles to play.
By incorporating these simple and fun exercises into your reading routine, you’ll not only enhance your child’s literacy skills but also make reading time a special bonding experience. Remember, the goal is to make reading enjoyable and engaging, setting a solid foundation for a lifelong love of books. Happy reading!