Product Description

A toddler's graduation from diapers to the potty is always a very important moment--and one to make parents and toddlers proud! In this book, Hannah needs to have her diaper changed so she can go out and play. Then Mom and Dad bring a big box home, and Hannah is anxious to open it up and see what's inside. Is it a rocking chair? A bed for Teddy? No, it's a potty--which means it's time for Hannah to graduate from diapers. This gentle and humorous little story is charmingly illustrated and told in verse. Little girls will enjoy looking at the pictures and having the story read to them. Meanwhile, they'll start getting the idea that it's time for them to grow up, exactly like Hannah. So that at last, they'll be able to say: "I'm off to the potty, No more diapers for me! And I feel great, I am proud of ... ME! Here's a pleasant and effective new way to begin a child's toilet training. Barron's also publishes a potty book for a little boy, starring Henry. (Ages 1-4)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1231 in Books
• Published on: 2000-05-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-New entries in an already crowded field of books. These two are almost exact duplicates, both in text and illustration. The only differences are the names, Henry/Hannah; the addition or subtraction of a ponytail on the child's head; and the colors used-blue or pink, of course. A cutesy, rhymed text in the child's voice tells toddlers how Henry/Hannah receives his/her very own potty "to use when I am ready." Then the narrator goes on to relate how he/she sits on it, has success, and is rewarded with new underwear, not to mention the praise and applause of Mommy and Daddy. This is virtually the same plot as any other potty-training book aimed at this audience and their parents. Some have a tad more humor and imagination, like Wendy Lewison's The Princess & the Potty (S & S, 1994). Others are a bit more straightforward, such as Alona Frankel's Once Upon a Potty (Barron's, 1980). These two add nothing new or noteworthy or imaginative. Serviceable additions to satisfy demand.
Jane Marino, Scarsdale Public Library, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

A Good Introduction
Hannah can eat her breakfast, brush her teeth, and even dress all by herself. Her biggest hurdle? The potty! As with most potty training experiences (mine included), Hannah and her parents need plenty of patience...and paper towels!

Reality check. I had two minor issues with the book: Hannah easily removes her diaper. My girls struggled to get theirs off (at least at first). And Hannah seems to graduate instantly from diapers to underwear after only one successful potty. In my house that meant instant mess!

Otherwise, readers will chuckle over Alyssa Capucilli's delightful rhyme, rapped by Hannah herself, and Dorothy Stott's hilarious antics of Hannah's potty partner Teddy the bear.

We have read almost every potty book available on the market as of 9/2003 (over two dozen!). Most fit into two categories: INSTRUCTIONAL books that introduce the skills needed to master the potty; and those that are primarily ENTERTAINING, for children who understand what is supposed to happen on the potty, but need extra time to make it happen.

I think The Potty Book for Girls fits more in the INSTRUCTIONAL category for the following reasons:

1) It identifies the purpose of the potty.
2) It specifies bodily functions such as "poop" and "pee."
3) Shows the transition from diapers to big kid underwear.
4) Includes the hand washing step.

For other potty books that are instructional, check out What to Expect When You Use the Potty by Heidi Murkoff, You Can Go to the Potty by Martha Sears, or My Big Girl Potty by Joanna Cole.

Potty-darn good
A really cute potty book. My 2 1/2 year old loves this book, and can recite it word for word. The story of Hannah's transition from diapers to underwear is told in rhyme, using the potty words "pee" and "poop".

This book helped to open a LOT of dialogue about using the potty, which is great. My daughter also likes to use the phrases from the book, "Whoops, I had an accident" and "that's OK". Unfortunately for me, we haven't moved from dialogue to action, (you'll notice she's not saying "Hurray I said, I did it!") but I guess there's a limit on how much to expect from one book!

The illustrations are cute. My daughter enjoys looking at the pictures and discussing what Hannah, her parents and her teddy bear are doing.

The quality of the book itself isn't quite as good. The pages are quite sturdy, somewhere between regular paper pages and board book pages, but the binding is already starting to split on our copy.

All in all, though, a fun book for a frustrating process.

Sweet and encouraging potty book for girls!
This is a sweet book about a little girl named Hannah who is ready to start using the potty. It shows the transition from diapers to "very special underwear". The book uses potty words like "pee and poop." Hannah has a few accidents, but Mom and Dad are still encouraging. By the end for the book, Hannah is very proud of herself and her potty success. She also will tell your little girl a secret, that she too can use a potty.

The book itself is a hardback with very thick pages that will not tear easily. The illustrations are very attractive and definitely show how much energy Hannah has (as does every toddler or preschooler). The story line rhymes and is easy to follow. This book is perfect for any "big girl" who is interested in potties or parents who want her to be.

My own Hannah really likes the book at 24 months old, but is not quite ready for the potty. I think it will help her to read and talk about it for now. When the time is right, she'll be ready for the potty, too!