10+ Best Potty Books for 3-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the lookout for the perfect potty books for 3-year-olds to make potty training a breeze? You’re in the right place! Potty training can be a challenge, but with the right story, it can also be a fun and rewarding journey for both you and your little one. Dive into our curated lists of engaging and helpful potty books designed specifically for 3-year-olds. Keep reading to discover your child’s next favorite book that might just make potty training a whole lot easier!

Fun Potty Books for 3-Year-Olds

• Potty by Leslie Patricelli
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: This simple and humorous book follows a baby's journey from diapers to using the potty. With engaging illustrations and minimal text, it captures the challenges and triumphs of potty training.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its light-hearted approach and relatable content make potty training seem less daunting for both kids and parents.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to explore potty training and parents looking for a fun way to introduce the concept.

• Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book provides a straightforward explanation of how every creature eats and therefore must poop. The illustrations are clear and help children understand a natural bodily function.
  • Why we recommend this book: It normalizes the process of pooping for young children, which can help make them feel more comfortable with potty training.
  • Perfect for: Young children who are just starting to learn about bodily functions and parents seeking an educational approach to potty training.

• Potty Superhero: Get Ready for Big Boy Pants! by Mabel Forsyth
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Motivational
  • Synopsis: This book encourages little ones to become a "potty superhero." It follows a young child's journey to becoming independent in using the potty.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its empowering message motivates children to embrace the potty training process with enthusiasm and pride.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who love superheroes and any child who needs a little confidence boost during potty training.

• Once Upon a Potty by Alona Frankel
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Instructional
  • Synopsis: This classic book tells the story of a child named Prudence who learns how to use her new potty. It includes specific details about the process, making it educational and relatable.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its detailed narrative helps demystify the potty training process for both children and parents, making it less intimidating.
  • Perfect for: Children ready to transition from diapers to the potty and parents looking for a straightforward, instructive potty training book.

• The Potty Train by David Hochman and Ruth Kennison, illustrated by Derek Anderson
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: The book uses the metaphor of a train journey to explain the potty training process. Colorful illustrations and engaging text help keep the attention of young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: The adventure theme makes potty training an exciting and appealing task for children.
  • Perfect for: Energetic toddlers who enjoy stories with action and movement, and any child who might be apprehensive about starting potty training.

Educational Potty Books for 3-Year-Olds

• Where's the Poop? by Julie Markes, illustrated by Susan Kathleen Hartung
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Lift-the-Flap
  • Synopsis: This interactive book encourages kids to lift flaps to find where different animals have pooped, ending with a child using the potty.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Animal recognition, understanding of natural processes, motor skills through flap lifting
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes the concept of pooping fun and interactive, which can ease the anxiety around potty training.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy interactive reading and any child who is being introduced to potty training.

• A Potty for Me! by Karen Katz
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Interactive
  • Synopsis: Authored by the celebrated Karen Katz, this book features a child going through the stages of potty training with encouragement and joy.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Self-confidence, understanding of potty training steps
  • Why we recommend this book: Its positive reinforcement and celebratory tone help children feel good about their potty training achievements.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who are starting or in the middle of potty training and parents who want to support their child's potty training journey with positivity.

• Potty Animals: What to Know When You've Gotta Go! by Hope Vestergaard, illustrated by Valeria Petrone
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book introduces preschoolers to a variety of animals attending the Potty School where they learn bathroom etiquette.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Social skills, hygiene practices, bathroom manners
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches not only the how-to's of using the potty but also focuses on manners and cleanliness in a fun, engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are refining their potty skills and any child who enjoys animal characters.

• It's Potty Time! by Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Caroline Pedler
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This touch-and-feel book helps toddlers get excited about using the potty through tactile elements and engaging rhymes.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sensory skills, rhythm and rhyme recognition, potty training enthusiasm
  • Why we recommend this book: The sensory aspects of the book make learning about the potty an immersive experience.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who are tactile learners and any child who needs a little extra motivation to start potty training.

Challenging Potty Books for 3-Year-Olds

• The Princess and the Potty by Wendy Cheyette Lewison, illustrated by Rick Brown
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fairy Tale
  • Synopsis: A royal tale of a young princess who refuses to use her potty, featuring whimsical illustrations and a humorous storyline.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story incorporates themes of independence and decision-making, presenting them in a way that challenges young readers to think about their own potty training in a broader context.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a delightful blend of humor and lesson-learning that can help ease the potty training process by engaging children in a story they can relate to.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy fairy tales and any child who is hesitant about potty training.

• Super Pooper Book: Potty Training for Kids by Monika Sloan
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book turns potty training into a super-powered adventure, encouraging kids to become "Super Poopers."
  • Why this book is challenging: It uses superhero themes to engage advanced readers, incorporating fun, energetic language that challenges their reading skills while keeping them entertained.
  • Why we recommend this book: The superhero theme not only makes potty training exciting but also empowers children to master it with confidence.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous toddlers who love superheroes and stories that stimulate their imagination.

• Pirate Potty by Samantha Berger, illustrated by Amy Cartwright
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A swashbuckling pirate boy embarks on a quest to master the potty. Complete with a pirate's map and stickers, this book offers a creative and interactive approach to potty training.
  • Why this book is challenging: The inclusion of a pirate map and the concept of a quest add layers to the reading experience, requiring children to engage more deeply with the content.
  • Why we recommend this book: The interactive elements and adventurous storyline make potty training a fun and engaging journey.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love pirates and adventures, and parents looking for a book that goes beyond the basics of potty training.

• Time to Pee! by Mo Willems
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Instructional
  • Synopsis: This book offers a step-by-step guide to using the potty with the help of encouraging signs held up by a group of friendly mice.
  • Why this book is challenging: The unique presentation of instructions via signs and the involvement of multiple characters create a more complex narrative structure that challenges young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its clear, direct approach and playful illustrations help demystify the process of using the potty for children.
  • Perfect for: Children who respond well to clear instructions and visual cues, and those who enjoy charming illustrations.

• Duck Goes Potty by Michael Dahl, illustrated by Oriol Vidal
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Follow Duck as he learns the ins and outs of using the potty. With simple text and engaging illustrations, this book addresses common potty training challenges.
  • Why this book is challenging: The use of humor and a relatable character encourages children to read more attentively and connect the dots between their experiences and Duck’s adventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses humor to make potty training a less stressful experience and encourages children to keep trying despite setbacks.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy animal characters and parents who want to introduce potty training in a light-hearted way.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

When introducing your little one to the world of books, especially potty books, it's not just about reading to them—it's about making reading a fun and engaging part of their daily routine. Here are some exercises that can help your 3-year-old develop good reading habits while enjoying their potty books:

• Read Together Daily
  • What it is: Set aside a specific time each day to read with your child.
  • How it helps: Creates a routine and strengthens reading as a regular habit.
  • Tips: Choose a comfortable spot like a reading nook to make this a special time for both of you.

• Ask Questions
  • What it is: Pause during reading to ask your child questions about the story.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and encourages them to think about the story.
  • Tips: Keep questions simple and related to the story, like "What do you think will happen next?"

• Potty Book Box
  • What it is: Create a special box that houses only potty-related books.
  • How it helps: Makes these books special and builds excitement around reading them.
  • Tips: Let your child decorate the box to increase their interest and sense of ownership.

• Role Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the potty books with your child.
  • How it helps: Helps them connect with the material and remember the potty training concepts.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the role-play more engaging and fun.

• Book Choice
  • What it is: Allow your child to choose which potty book to read each session.
  • How it helps: Gives them a sense of control and makes them more excited about the reading experience.
  • Tips: Rotate books frequently to keep their interest high.

• Repeat Favorites
  • What it is: Re-read their favorite stories as often as they request.
  • How it helps: Reinforces familiarity and comfort with reading.
  • Tips: Use expressions and perhaps slight variations in storytelling to keep it interesting.

These exercises aren't just about reading; they're about building a bond with your child and helping them develop a love for books. By incorporating these fun and simple activities into your reading routine, you're setting the stage for a lifelong love of reading. Happy reading!