Saying goodbye to diapers, taming the potty, and finally braving the big toilet: what an adventure for little ones! Typically between 2 and 4 years old, children progressively learn continence, how to pay attention to their body’s signals, and gain autonomy. It’s a milestone that requires patience and perseverance, often accompanied by little accidents and a host of questions from both children and parents. What if my child loses interest in the potty? What if they are terrified of pooping? Are regressions normal?
Fortunately, a wealth of children’s literature exists today to guide kids at their own pace through this potty training journey. Here is our selection of albums to slip into their little hands to make the transition from diaper to potty a more serene moment.
The Most Magical: J’ai finiii !
Abracadabra, what is Zoé’s talent? In the little girl’s family, everyone has a gift: Dad makes rabbits appear with his wand, Alice masters the sawing-a-woman-in-half trick like no other… What if hers was making the contents of her potty disappear into the toilet? The iconic children’s literature duo, Michaël Escoffier and Matthieu Maudet, deliver a spirited board book where the potty ritual transforms into a magical moment. A perfect little book for children who need encouragement to use the potty or toilet.
The Most Didactic: Vive la vie sans couche !
“Without a diaper on your bottom, life is so much nicer. Come, I’ll show you!” the book begins, before rolling out its unbeatable arguments: no more trouble climbing the sofa or sliding down the slide, no more waking up with soaked bottoms, no more parents constantly sniffing your behind… And most importantly, hello colorful panties and patterned briefs! Written by Marie Perarnau, a columnist on the show Les Maternelles XXL, this book was designed for little ones resistant to change. Rather than insisting on the big steps of potty training, it reveals all the concrete advantages of adopting a diaper-free lifestyle, so they can approach this new stage with enthusiasm.
The Wackiest: Lionel fait caca
While jumping on the trampoline, Lionel, a mischievous lion, is suddenly overcome with the urge to poop. But where will he relieve himself? On some cows? Wild cats? A bus? The Eiffel Tower? The sun? And the child and their parents exclaim on every page: “OH NO LIONEL!” The hero of a hilarious album series imagined by Éric Veillé, Lionel invites little ones to engage in slightly absurd one-upmanship to celebrate their own potty training journey. This might not be the most educational book on the subject, but it is undoubtedly the funniest.
The Most Interactive: Petit Ours et le pot
Little Bear is big now: he no longer wears dia. But while he is playing, he realizes he is all wet. Darn! But when the urge to pee comes back, there is no way he’s getting wet. Quickly, Little Bear runs and reaches the potty… Just in time. Carried by the adorable colorful drawings of British illustrator Nicola Slater, Camilla Reid’s text is perfect for de-dramatizing the little accidents that often punctuate learning continence. The plus of this board book? The sound chips that, at the touch of baby’s little fingers, play sounds as cute as they are funny.
The Most Playful: Qu’y a-t-il dans ta couche ?
Driven by curiosity, Baby Mouse asks a very simple question to all the animals she meets: can she see what’s in their diaper? What follows is the discovery of poops all different from each other, hidden behind flaps to lift: Baby Rabbit’s looks like little marbles, Baby Cow’s is greenish, Baby Horse’s is all round, Baby Pig’s doesn’t good… But the real surprise awaiting young readers comes at the end of the story, when they must finally discover the contents of Baby Mouse’s diaper. Playing on the principle of imitation, this bestseller by Belgian author Guido Van Genechten is ideal for approaching the topic of potty training with toddlers, while familiarizing them with respecting privacy: Mouse always asks her friends for permission before exploring the contents of their diaper!
The Most Jubilant: Le grand concours de cacas
A stage, colorful lights, and an overexcited Ringmaster: no doubt about it, you are indeed at the grand poop contest! Who among the candidates will win first prize? The big bad wolf? The elves? The unicorn? Or that slightly shy little boy hiding behind the curtain? Carried by Alexandra Garibal’s rhythmic text and Fred Benaglia’s whimsical illustrations, this book supports children in potty training with humor and kindness. Because pooping on the potty is sometimes a real challenge… And every little victory deserves a standing ovation!
