When You've Got To Go (Bear In The Big Blue House)

Rating:
Summary: Great toilet-training book for parents and kids
Review: You or your child(ren) do not have to be fans of "Bear in the Big Blue House" to use and appreciate this very helpful book. (I'm lucky that it's my 2½ year-old's favorite show). The pictures and words are uncomplicated and easy for children to understand, and I like that when covering the basic bodily functions, they used the words "poop" and "pee" rather than cutesy names. It's not really gender-specific, since it doesn't cover or show genitalia/ differences between boys and girls, but it handles everything else in a fun and educational manner. Parents may also like how it emphasizes wiping and hand washing after using the toilet, and it shows (with a clever illustration) where poop and pee go when flushed away. There's even a Toileteers Club that the characters form at the end, and the book comes with a Toileteer sticker as a bonus. There are plenty of reassurances along the way: that accidents happen, and that's normal and OK; that it's alright to leave what you're doing to go to the potty, and your things will still be there when you come back; and that giving up diapers does not mean that the other great things about being a kid--like cuddles and hugs and love from mommy and daddy--go away. The episode this is based on is also available on video, and is equally good. Very highly recommended, along with "Once Upon a Potty" (separate books and videos for girls and boys) and "The Potty Book," also separate for boys and girls.