Potty training is a big milestone for your toddler — and it can feel like a big one for you too. While it’s easy to focus on the practical side of things, it’s worth remembering that your little one might be feeling anxious, unsure, or just plain confused about what’s going on. Reassurance goes a long way, and so does letting your child feel involved, whether that’s picking out their own potty or choosing their first “big kid” underwear.
This is where a good potty training book can really help. A funny story or a familiar character can take away some of the fear around this new step, and the repetition of a favourite book read again and again can be genuinely soothing for a toddler working through something new. Here are 21 fun potty training books your toddler will love — from pirates and princesses to firefighters and favourite TV friends.
You may also enjoy Potty Training Made Easy with these 10 Practical Proven Tips
Fun Potty Training Books to Try With Your Toddler
1. Potty Superstar
Ella likes running and climbing and jumping — but she does not like her nappy! It’s time to learn how to be a potty superstar.
Join Ella on her journey to becoming a potty superstar and learn all about potties, washing hands and accidents. Soon, you’ll have a potty superstar of your own! There’s also a boy’s version of Potty Superstar available if you’d prefer.
2. Potty Patrol
Nickelodeon’s PAW Patrol is here to help toddlers say bye-bye to nappies. Filled with encouragement from Marshall, Skye and the rest of the pups, this book guides boys and girls through the adventure of potty training with characters they already know and love.
3. Have You Seen My Potty?
Have You Seen My Potty? by Mij Kelly follows Suzy Sue, who has something very important to do — the truth is, she needs to do a poo, but someone has borrowed her potty! Join her as she searches the farmyard for her bright red potty. Will she find it in time? This is one of the most-loved potty training books around, and the cute story explains why.
4. Pirate Pete’s Potty
Pirate Pete’s Potty by Andrea Pinnington shows little ones, through fun pictures, that even pirates have anxiety about using the potty. When your own Pirate Pete uses the potty correctly, they can press the fun “cheer” button. There’s also a separate Pirate Pete’s Potty Sticker Activity Book available.
5. Princess Polly’s Potty
Princess Polly’s Potty by Andrea Pinnington follows Princess Polly, who is nervous about using the potty but discovers she can do it after choosing her own princess pants. Just like Pirate Pete, she gets to press a noisy “cheer” button as a reward. Not every little one wants to be a princess, though — so there’s also Pirate Polly’s Potty, released a little later, for the pirates-at-heart.
6. Lulu’s Loo
Lulu’s Loo by Camilla Reid follows Lulu’s toilet adventures as she learns how to use potties and proper loos. Lulu is given a special present by Mummy — her very own potty — and soon she’s sitting on it everywhere!
7. Let’s Go to the Potty
Let’s Go to the Potty by Allison Jandu is an engaging, story-driven guide for toddlers ready to break free of the nappy. Playful pictures give visual clues about what progress looks like, and a short, rhyming potty song helps toddlers learn to communicate their needs.
8. No More Nappies
In No More Nappies by Marion Cocklico, meet Millie and Mo, who are ready to ditch their nappies and learn how to use the potty. Fun illustrations and lift-the-flaps make the journey interesting for kids and a great way to introduce the idea of potty training.
9. Nappy Duck and Potty Piggy
A wonderful read-aloud story with cute characters and simple text by Bernette Ford. Ducky wants Piggy to come out and play — but he can’t, he’s on the potty. How can Ducky become as grown-up as Piggy?
10. Bing: All Aboard the Toilet Train
This one is great for children making the move from potty to the “big” toilet. Bing doesn’t use his potty anymore — he uses the big toilet, and you can too. It can feel scary at first, but with a little practice you’ll be catching the Toilet Train in no time. Little fans of Bing will love pressing the sound button and joining in. Choo, choo!
11. Big Boy Underpants
Snappy, rhyming text and great illustrations from Fran Manushkin encourage toddlers who want to wear big boy underpants, just like Daddy. Sturdy board pages hold up well to repeated readings as little boys get ready to say bye-bye to nappies.
12. Big Girl Panties
Big Girl Panties!, also by Fran Manushkin, takes a light, positive approach to motivate toddlers to become toilet trained. Rhyming text and colourful illustrations bring the story of moving to “big girl panties” to life.
13. Thomas & Friends: My Thomas Potty Book
Say goodbye to nappies with Thomas & Friends. All the stages are covered — choosing grown-up pants and that all-important potty, trying again and again, having the odd accident, and learning to wash hands afterwards. Includes a reward chart and stickers to celebrate progress along the way.
14. Where’s the Poop?
This engaging, funny lift-the-flap book by Julie Markes shows children that all creatures have a place to poop — tigers in the jungle, kangaroos in the outback, monkeys in the rainforest. With the help of this playful book, your child will see that they have their own special place too.
15. I Want My Potty
“Nappies are YUUECH!” said the Little Princess. “There must be something better!” In this hilarious story by Tony Ross, the Little Princess first thinks the royal potty is even worse than nappies, but soon learns to love it — even if it isn’t always there exactly when she needs it.
16. Skip to the Loo
Rhythmic and rhyming, Sally Lloyd-Jones’s Skip to the Loo rejoices in the call of nature. Everyone is invited to celebrate, from a lonely dodo to Lord and Lady Huff Puff and a ballerina elephant in a tutu. When the Potty Party is truly in full swing, Bunny spots that someone very important is missing. Don’t miss the surprise mirror on the last page, inviting toddlers to join the Potty Party themselves!
17. Come Out Mr Poo!
This delightful, funny book by Janelle McGuinness helps your child get ready for doing a “number two” on the loo or potty — perfect if they’re showing concern about moving out of nappies. The encouraging story shows them there’s nothing to be afraid of.
18. Sesame Street: P is for Potty
Sesame Street’s Elmo tells little girls and boys all about how to use the potty in this lift-the-flap book with more than 30 flaps to find and open. It’s a fun mix of play and learning, especially useful while toddlers get used to sitting on the potty.
19. The Perfect Potty Zoo
“Animals from A to Z are very much like you. They play, they eat, they sleep, they dream. They even pee and poo!” Follow the antics of 27 very different animals from air, land and sea as they all go potty in this imaginative rhyming ABC book by Agnes Green.
20. Even Firefighters Go to the Potty
The fire truck is pulling out of the station. But wait! Where is the firefighter going? Even firefighters go to the potty! In this funny story by Wendy Wax, toddlers who feel uneasy about toilet training learn that everyone goes — from a firefighter answering an alarm to a zookeeper feeding the polar bears.
21. Potty Superhero: Get Ready for Big Boy Pants!
Every little superhero needs to use the potty — he just needs to know where to go! This story by Mabel Forsyth helps your own little superhero explore the idea of using a potty as he makes his way toward wearing big boy pants.
You may also enjoy 30 Reasons You Know You’re Mom to a Toddler!
Frequently Asked Questions
When should we start reading potty training books?
Many parents introduce a potty training book a few weeks before they plan to start, so the idea feels familiar rather than sudden. There’s no single right time — follow your child’s interest and readiness cues, and keep it low-pressure.
Will a potty training book alone potty train my toddler?
Not on its own, but it’s a great supporting tool. Books help toddlers understand what’s expected, normalise the process through characters they like, and give you a shared story to return to when things feel wobbly.
What if my toddler isn’t interested in the book at all?
That’s completely normal. Try a different character or story style, or simply leave the book around for them to explore in their own time. Some toddlers take to it straight away; others need a few tries, or a few different books, before one clicks.
Are these books suitable for both boys and girls?
Most of the titles above work for any toddler — a few, like Potty Superstar and Princess Polly’s/Pirate Polly’s Potty, come in separate versions with a boy or girl character, so you can pick whichever your child will connect with most.
Related Articles
- Potty Training Made Easy with these 10 Practical Proven Tips
- 30 Reasons You Know You’re Mom to a Toddler!
- More toddler milestones and everyday parenting ideas on MyKidsTime
Keep the Ideas Coming
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