What are the best potty training books for toddlers?
- Jen
- Jun 26, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 4
If your toddler sits but won’t pee, holds it forever, or gets anxious when it’s time to let pee out, these books can help bridge the gap. They’re not just cute potty stories — they actually support toddlers in learning to feel safe and confident releasing pee in the potty.
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I have a specific checklist for choosing my favorite jeans, shampoo, and potty training books for toddlers.
Especially when it comes to toddlers learning to pee in the potty.
Meaning when I see certain details are checked, I'm typically looking at a keeper.
How I chose these potty training books
Normalize peeing in the potty using simple, matter-of-fact language — no baby terms. Clear, direct wording helps toddlers understand that pee goes in the potty or toilet..
Show real-life situations in the potty book to build confidence, like using a public bathroom or waiting for a turn at preschool. Toddlers learn what to expect outside the house, not just at home.
Model what to do when they feel the pee signal, including getting to the potty independently. Books that show the “feel → go → pee” sequence help toddlers connect body cues to action.
These books support real potty training skills — feeling the pee signal, getting to the potty in time, and letting pee out with confidence.
👉 If your toddler sits but won’t pee yet, try this guide on helping toddlers feel safe and release pee in the potty.
So here's my go-to list for the best potty training picture books for toddlers (with a focus on getting pee in the potty!).
Best potty training books for toddlers
First, I look for potty training picture books that clearly show what a potty is for — helping toddlers understand that pee goes in the potty or toilet, and building confidence with this new skill.
This board book by author of another favorite (Yummy YUCKY), highlights when you've got to go pee, where do you go? Told from the child's perspective, I also like how it shows that peeing in the potty can take a while (at first, when it's brand new!).
This book shares a lot of information about the potty — like how a potty is a little toilet, how you can take turns with using the potty, but how the potty isn't a toy to play with. The book also walks through different situations where the toddler can pee in a small potty in the yard, at grandma's, at preschool, or before bathtime at home.
I also think the best potty books for potty training toddlers show what to do when they really HAVE to go pee right away. (Since most toddlers will hold their pee to the last second in the beginning of the potty training process!)
Here are potty training picture books for learning how to get to the potty right away!
This potty book shows what happens when you urgently have to go pee in the potty (but others are using the potty!). I found this picture book by way of a librarian and it's been a favorite potty training picture book ever since!
We are big fans of author Mo Willems and this book is right up there with the Pigeon series as a favorite book. This potty book also shows what to do when you suddenly need to pee. The language is helpful.
You don't want to ignore the feeling.
You want to let someone know and walk to the bathroom.
The book shows how to use the toilet, from lifting the lid to pushing down your underwear so that you're ready to pee in the potty. This book also highlights how boys can stand and girls should sit. (But typically in the beginning, boys sit on the potty, too.)
What's my go-to potty book for normalizing peeing in a public bathroom?
I've talked about this Ninja potty book as a helpful one for preparing for daycare or preschool, but it's also a helpful potty training picture book for any toddler who's moving onto Block 3 of Oh Crap Potty Training where you start to normalize peeing in other bathrooms and other situations, including public bathrooms with stalls.
This potty book normalizes conquering peeing in a public bathroom with fun, whimsical illustrations of a toddler ninja on her way to master a toilet in a bathroom stall. The book also highlights the steps to wash hands after using the toilet.
So those 5 potty training picture books check the boxes for me (much like Madewell's high-waisted soft denim fit the jean equation for me when I'm searching ThredUp).
When to use potty books during potty training
You don’t need to read potty books before you start potty training — you can use them right at the start of the process. I like to have parents set up a basket by the potty with a few potty training books for toddlers.
Think of potty books as a way to:
normalize using the potty like “this is just what we do”
help toddlers feel safe letting pee out
model what to do when you feel the pee
build confidence in public bathrooms and daycare settings
distract your toddler in the early days when your toddler may sit for a long time before releasing
For more toddler book recommendations, you can check out:
favorite bedtime stories for your toddler (as you're setting up for night training)
books to help with getting dressed (including pants!)
books for introducing a baby sibling to your toddler
If your toddler is still holding pee or getting stuck even after trying these potty training books, I can help you build confidence and body awareness with a personalized plan. 💛
Do potty training books really help toddlers learn to pee in the potty?
Yes — potty books can support toddlers in understanding what the potty is for, how their body works, and what to do when they feel the pee signal. Stories help toddlers feel safe and confident trying something new. If your toddler sits but won’t release pee yet, pairing potty books with calm practice and a simple routine works best.
I'm getting stuck reading to my toddler for SO long. What should I do with these potty training books?
Some toddlers absolutely treat reading as a love language — and they will happily stack 12 books in your lap if you let them. You do not need to read potty books for an hour for them to “work.”
In the beginning of potty training, toddlers may sit for a while before releasing pee, but you still get to set limits. Pick 3–4 potty books and stick to those so there’s a calming, predictable routine instead of a marathon reading session. One or two stories is plenty — the goal is to support potty learning, not create a new battle or stall tactic.
What if my toddler still won’t pee in the potty even with books?
If your toddler understands the potty but still holds pee, waits for diapers, or feels distressed about letting pee out, they may need support with the body awareness and release part of potty learning. This is very normal — and it does not mean they're stubborn or not ready. If you'd like help building confidence and releasing pee, I have resources and 1-1 support for that.
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