On Your Potty!

by Virginia Miller

The original George and Bartholomew story, by the author-illustrator of BE GENTLE! and GO TO BED!

George tries to persuade Bartholomew to use his potty, but only Ba knows when it it just the right time to use it. Full of gentle humor and lighthearted encouragement, the first book in Virginia Miller's George and Bartholomew series is the perfect way for parents and caregivers to address the issue of toilet training in a playful, nonthreatening way. Toddlers will identify with this spunky young bear and his bewilderment, and they'll cheer for Ba when he succeeds.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

22 pages, Board book

First published January 20, 1994

About the author

Virginia Miller wrote and illustrated her first George and Bartholomew story after observing a toddler's frustration with potty training. The result was ON YOUR POTTY!, followed by more George and Ba books acclaimed for their simple, authentic dialogue, expressive illustrations, and toddler-friendly themes.


"The next most likely problem needing book treatment," Virginia says, "seemed to be eating -- or not eating -- one's dinner." The winsome EAT YOUR DINNER dramatizes this all-too familiar conflict at the dinner table; in its review of EAT YOUR DINNER, SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL declared, "Everything about this book will appeal to toddlers."


"These books," Virginia says, "are intended to help make light of common parent-child conflicts because if they make you smile, things don't seem so bad." She hopes that every parent and child will recognize the benefits and trials of unconditional love that George the father bear and Bartholomew the child bear share. "When the going gets tough for Bartholomew, it's comforting to him to know that George is always there for him--and will love him through all his moods."


Formerly a resident of Wiltshire, England, Virginia now lives in New Zealand.

Reviews

[midnightfaerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not quite sure I see what the allure is, compared with the 500 other potty books we have, but for some reason, this is my twins favorite. And as that we're in the middle of potty training, I'll (desperately) take anything I can to help that process along! The pictures are cute and plot is pretty simple to understand. We keep it in the bathroom to read while we're practicing the potty and it's one they love to read over and over again.

[Julie Mesquita · Rating 3 out of 5]

It really helped me when I decided I didn't want to wear diapers anymore. While I was mostly fine for #1 since the beginning, I couldn't understand that I had to let people know I wanted to do #2. This book helped mommy explain to me the signs...

[Sunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book given to my youngest... I think he enjoyed it more than I did, and this rating is strictly based on HIS reaction.

[Dianna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The potty looks like a BUCKET! So if you want your kid thinking it's okay to go in buckets . . .

That aside, I did like the simplicity of this book, although perhaps simple to the point of abruptness when it comes to one bear ordering the other onto his potty. There's always room for politeness!

[Tapani Aulu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Samat ne on kuviot englannissakin pottakirjoissa.

[Mat Rueter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Potty is cheaper than diapers!

[Pennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The toddler protagonist was very identifiable for my daughter, who would say 'Nah' along with him.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know from personal experience that yelling at someone does not, in fact, make them eliminate waste faster.

[Drew Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bartholomew really needs to go, but George insists that he use the potty. Ba and Ba alone knows when it's the right time to finally do just that.

I picked this up at the library because 1) it's one of the few board books there that we haven't checked out and read a hundred times already, and 2) we're starting to think about maybe possibly getting ready to consider the possibility of potty training The Boy (2). Well, it wasn't really much of a boost in that regard. It talks about using the potty, and it has some cute illustrations, but it seemed to miss the mark as far as helping kids understand the concept and purpose of using the potty. But I guess it's part of a series featuring these bears, so I guess it has its place. It just seemed kind of inadequate to me.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a particularly helpful potty-training book as far as teaching the kids anything really, but cute and simplistic, just to entertain while they're on the potty, to keep them focused on sitting on the potty while we read it. We've used a couple different books over the years with all of our kids, got this one at a library sale.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. My son and I love the story and even though we took it back to the library months ago, I still refer to the book, saying "On your potty!" as we work on potty training him. Highly recommended as a cute, educational, but non-threatening book for pre- or potty-training children.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

The continuing adventures of Ba and the looming threat of his infanticidal father, George the Bear. This time they argue about potty training. Ba only ever says "Nah!" (which we pronounce in this house has "neh"). The Boy loves it; I am indifferent.

[Nelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A creative and playfully-illustrated book on potty training.

Out of 5.

Illustrations : 5
Content : 5
Originality : 4
Humor : 4
Age Level : 0-100

[Cws]

BR-Mil

[Angela Randall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know if our toddler connects with the potty side of this yet, but she definitely connects with the "Nah!".

[Adele · Rating 1 out of 5]

This would be a good potty book, but my child decided it was funny to kick her potty and be stubborn like Bartholomew. Not a plus for me.

[Erma Talamante · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for early readers and early talkers, my one-year-old liked to repeat Benjamin's "Nah!" as enthusiastically as he said it!

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Board book. Worth reading when the time is right.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

We were able to get through this a few times. The illustrations are pretty cute. I wish it ended on "Nah" or something to go along with how I was reading it aloud, but that's just my preference.

[Zoe Hickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to read to reception right at the beginning of the year about needing the toilet and going to the potty.