It’s summer in the city, and you know what that means—rooftop barbecues, concerts in Central Park, and... potty training your toddler.

Whether or not you or your child are interested in potty training, many preschools do ask that new students arrive this September diaper-free. The librarians at NYPL commiserate with you as you embark on this perilous toilet training journey. We’re here to help with sympathetic ears and reading recommendations.

I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite books that put a friendly face on the big transition from diaper to real underwear. From simple board books to longer picture books, reading to your child about potty training is one of the many ways you can help them learn to go to the bathroom like a big kid.

Have a favorite you don’t see here? Leave it in the comments below. And good luck!

Getting Ready to Go

Pottytime for Chickies by Janee Trasler
This sturdy board book models not only sitting on the potty, but other important steps like closing the door and washing hands, all through the rhyming silly verses that make Trasler’s Chickies series a fan favorite.

Holes and Peeks by Ann Jonas
Like many kids, our narrator doesn’t like holes when they can’t see through to the other side, but feels better if they can peek through. If you find that your child is nervous about flushing or sitting on top of a hole, this book might be a good fit for you, and the start of a conversation about how to change the potty to make it less scary. And—bonus feature—the presence of bright squares, circles, and rectangles means you can work on identifying shapes while reading.

What to Expect When You Use the Potty by Heidi Murkoff
Read this short guide from Heidi Murkoff, of What to Expect When You’re Expecting  fame, before you start potty training. It will prep you for those tough to answer questions about poop and pee that your toddler is bound to ask you! The lengthy text makes this one more for the parent than the toddler, however the illustrations are child friendly if your kiddo wants to read along.

Potty Animals: What to Know When You’ve Got to Go! by Hope Vestergaard
This zany preschool classroom of animals knows that going to the bathroom can be complicated—what if you don’t make it in time? Does the seat go up or down? What do you do when you’re done? Thankfully, they’ve left you this colorful guide with tips on bathroom etiquette in large text.

What Happens on the Potty?

Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi
What a great reminder that your potty trainee is not alone. Whether person or animal, everyone poops! Meet a large pooping elephant and a tiny pooping mouse who will teach your toddler that going number two is a good thing.

On Top of the Potty by Alan Katz
No need to be bored on the potty when you have a copy of this poetry book! Katz has rewritten the words to popular children’s songs with lyrics to motivate even the most reluctant of potty users into having a good time getting the job done.

Once Upon a Potty: Girl and Boy by Alona Frankel
These are classic, go-to potty training books for a good reason. The anatomically correct characters in these brightly illustrated stories have a simple objective that they are able to achieve by the end. If you only try one potty training book, make it this one!

A Potty for Me by Karen Katz
A short story with ups and downs before, finally, a potty success to be proud of! This board book reassures toddlers that accidents happen, and it is okay to try again. Your child will love lifting the colorful flaps to see what’s underneath.

Focus on Undies

Bear, Do You Wear Underwear?  by Todd H. Doodler
There’s nothing like peer pressure to make underwear look and sound cool. In this story bear quickly learns that his other animal friends are all wearing underpants and it's time for him to hop on the wagon.

Danny is Done with Diapers: A Potty ABC by Rebecca O’Connell
There are twenty six ways to say goodbye to diapers—one for each letter of the alphabet. Kill two birds with one stone by practicing your ABCs and celebrating potty training at the same time.

My Big Boy Undies and My Big Girl Undies by Karen Katz
Nothing says “I’m cool” like a truly awesome pair of underwear. This sturdy board book is inspiring, portraying undies as a colorful, joyful and fun goal that toddlers should be proud to wear!

Diapers Are Not Forever by Elizabeth Verdick
A good intro to the topic, this board book has simple text and friendly illustrations both bold and bright, demystifying the potty process by walking your toddler through the different steps.