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How to Pee Your Pants: The Right Way
Don’t miss this humorous and heartwarming picture book by debut creator Rachel Michelle Wilson about that embarrassing moment in life when you (gasp) pee your pants.
Well, it happened. You peed your pants.
You probably regret that second (okay, third) lemonade.
We’ve all been there.
This book has some tips to get you through it (including but not limited to traffic cone pants, extraterrestrial negotiations, food fights, and other very practical techniques).
With her playful retro palette, debut author-illustrator Rachel Michelle Wilson offers a space to laugh with yourself through one of life’s most embarrassing moments and remember that you’re never as alone as you think.
Well, it happened. You peed your pants.
You probably regret that second (okay, third) lemonade.
We’ve all been there.
This book has some tips to get you through it (including but not limited to traffic cone pants, extraterrestrial negotiations, food fights, and other very practical techniques).
With her playful retro palette, debut author-illustrator Rachel Michelle Wilson offers a space to laugh with yourself through one of life’s most embarrassing moments and remember that you’re never as alone as you think.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published October 15, 2024
1 person is currently reading
167 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
November 7, 2024
Read for my toddler's bedtime. A great book! All of us experienced this at any age. At least needing to pee and holding it in.
This story followed a penguin. Readers are reminded that peeing in your pants can happen at any place even in school. There are many ways to hold in your pee like crossing your legs or sitting very still. This book gives tips on how to do it the right way. There are a few ways.. if the pee couldn't be held in and it happened, you could create a distraction to keep everyone's attention away from you. All the ways to hide are funny. One best way is saved at the end of the book! Loved the illustrations!
Thank you MacKidsBooks for the opportunity to read and review!
This story followed a penguin. Readers are reminded that peeing in your pants can happen at any place even in school. There are many ways to hold in your pee like crossing your legs or sitting very still. This book gives tips on how to do it the right way. There are a few ways.. if the pee couldn't be held in and it happened, you could create a distraction to keep everyone's attention away from you. All the ways to hide are funny. One best way is saved at the end of the book! Loved the illustrations!
Thank you MacKidsBooks for the opportunity to read and review!
May 5, 2024
This book is equal parts hysterical and relatable! We've quite literally all been there in one way or another, so a book to make kids feel less alone in an already super embarrassing situation is so genius. Rachel's writing is masterful in its simplicity and pacing, and the artwork is minimalist and nostalgic, with extra cute characters! I'm sure kids will love this one, and my hope is that it finds a home in every school library.
December 30, 2025
How to Pee Your Pants is laugh-out-loud funny and oddly reassuring—the perfect read for a child who may have just lived through this mortifying milestone, or as a gentle reminder for everyone else to be kind when it hasn’t happened to them…yet.
I couldn’t help but remember my own moment: first grade, Room 21, with Sister Mary Elsa. I was sure I could make it to lunch. I could not. I did, however, get to go home early and watch The Lucy Show, so all things considered, it wasn’t a total loss.
This book gets it exactly right—empathetic, hilarious, and very human. One of those stories that makes kids feel less alone and adults smile in recognition. 😉
I couldn’t help but remember my own moment: first grade, Room 21, with Sister Mary Elsa. I was sure I could make it to lunch. I could not. I did, however, get to go home early and watch The Lucy Show, so all things considered, it wasn’t a total loss.
This book gets it exactly right—empathetic, hilarious, and very human. One of those stories that makes kids feel less alone and adults smile in recognition. 😉
November 22, 2024
Great book for kids on how to be okay when a pee accident happens. I loved the bit about adults have forgotten what it's like to pee their pants but will remember in a few years.
October 28, 2025
Illustrations are cute. Story is about beingbinbsvhool and oeeing your pants
January 25, 2025
Straight twaddle but my 3-y.o. enjoyed it
November 1, 2024
A comical and charming book offering support and empathy through silliness. The double page spread “you peed your pants” is so perfect: it’s expressing such big, raw feelings in that very moment. Embarrassment is so heavy for young ones to carry, and when it happens in a place with a lot of other young folks around, it feels even worse (I didn’t do it on purpose, why do I feel so terrible?)! I loved the outlandish redirects of “what to do” when this happens, and avoids focus on the problem, and instead, the potential goofy solutions. It’s so clever and subtle using bubble wrap as common ground, it’s almost empowering, and revealed how something that felt so awful could create connection and friendship. Such a lovely book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2024
I love how Wilson uses humor to create empathy and to also remove the shame from something we have all experienced at least once. The illustrations bring comedy to a potential embarrassing moment. This book is fun to read and easy to relate to. It is also great for any kids beginning school.
January 26, 2025
This book is too true! Ask me how I know? The only thing that I didn’t like was the font size. Too small for these old pants peeing eyes!
February 27, 2025
LOL! We've all been there at some point or another, and this relatable book puts a funny spin on a very embarrassing situation.
November 1, 2024
Admittedly, I'm essentially just adding my voice to the chortling chorus of starred reviews and "just buy it already!" online admonishments from librarians. All the same, I learned a lot from reading/rereading HOW TO PEE YOUR PANTS* (*the right way) by Rachel Michelle Wilson, and here are just a few notes of what I love about it:
- A flag-planting title. There are many things about this book that are genius, but I think one that may get overlooked is the title itself. I have been thinking a lot about the idea of "planting a flag" with one's title, and this is a great example. From eight little words, we quickly understand: this is a how-to book of sorts; it's funny; it's written from the POV that you WILL pee your pants at some point (and so, here's how to deal with the inevitable).
- Compassionate and understated potty humor. You can tell that the creator put a lot of thought into handling a topic in a way that is authentic without resorting to "at the expense of" laughs, which is all-to-often the response to potty-related embarrassments. It's not the incident itself that's the funny bit; it's the lead-up-to, and aftermath, and particularly the lengths anyone might go to draw attention away from an embarrassing accident.
- Details, details, details. From the cover art that appears under the dust jacket to Bertie's very recognizable dance moves on the endpapers and title page to the names on stacked books, this book is rife with those Wes-Anderson-y specifics that keep visual and wordplay detectives coming back for more.
- Playful, lovely, lively art and super-charming character design.
- Wonderful messaging done in an authentic, light-touch way: essentially, no matter if you are the pee'r, or the pee'r's peer, just to "be the friend you wish you had."
- A flag-planting title. There are many things about this book that are genius, but I think one that may get overlooked is the title itself. I have been thinking a lot about the idea of "planting a flag" with one's title, and this is a great example. From eight little words, we quickly understand: this is a how-to book of sorts; it's funny; it's written from the POV that you WILL pee your pants at some point (and so, here's how to deal with the inevitable).
- Compassionate and understated potty humor. You can tell that the creator put a lot of thought into handling a topic in a way that is authentic without resorting to "at the expense of" laughs, which is all-to-often the response to potty-related embarrassments. It's not the incident itself that's the funny bit; it's the lead-up-to, and aftermath, and particularly the lengths anyone might go to draw attention away from an embarrassing accident.
- Details, details, details. From the cover art that appears under the dust jacket to Bertie's very recognizable dance moves on the endpapers and title page to the names on stacked books, this book is rife with those Wes-Anderson-y specifics that keep visual and wordplay detectives coming back for more.
- Playful, lovely, lively art and super-charming character design.
- Wonderful messaging done in an authentic, light-touch way: essentially, no matter if you are the pee'r, or the pee'r's peer, just to "be the friend you wish you had."
January 19, 2026
How to Pee Your Pants: The Right Way is a playful, emotionally savvy picture book that tackles one of childhood’s most universal and mortifying moments with humor, kindness, and genuine reassurance.
Rather than minimizing embarrassment or rushing toward correction, Rachel Michelle Wilson leans into the moment with honesty and wit. By acknowledging the accident directly (“Well, it happened.”), the book immediately aligns itself with the child reader, creating a safe space where shame is replaced by laughter and possibility.
The humor is inventive and expansive traffic cone pants, extraterrestrial negotiations, food fights offering children imaginative escape routes that feel empowering rather than dismissive. Beneath the silliness lies a thoughtful emotional core: accidents happen, embarrassment passes, and you are never as alone as you feel in the moment.
Wilson’s retro inspired color palette and expressive illustrations amplify the story’s warmth and comic timing. Each spread reinforces the book’s central message that mistakes are survivable and often shared experiences. The result is a story that invites children to laugh with themselves instead of at themselves.
At its heart, How to Pee Your Pants: The Right Way is about empathy, resilience, and belonging. It’s an ideal read for classrooms, families, and caregivers seeking gentle ways to normalize accidents and encourage emotional self-compassion. Funny, affirming, and refreshingly honest, this book meets children exactly where they are.
Rather than minimizing embarrassment or rushing toward correction, Rachel Michelle Wilson leans into the moment with honesty and wit. By acknowledging the accident directly (“Well, it happened.”), the book immediately aligns itself with the child reader, creating a safe space where shame is replaced by laughter and possibility.
The humor is inventive and expansive traffic cone pants, extraterrestrial negotiations, food fights offering children imaginative escape routes that feel empowering rather than dismissive. Beneath the silliness lies a thoughtful emotional core: accidents happen, embarrassment passes, and you are never as alone as you feel in the moment.
Wilson’s retro inspired color palette and expressive illustrations amplify the story’s warmth and comic timing. Each spread reinforces the book’s central message that mistakes are survivable and often shared experiences. The result is a story that invites children to laugh with themselves instead of at themselves.
At its heart, How to Pee Your Pants: The Right Way is about empathy, resilience, and belonging. It’s an ideal read for classrooms, families, and caregivers seeking gentle ways to normalize accidents and encourage emotional self-compassion. Funny, affirming, and refreshingly honest, this book meets children exactly where they are.
February 2, 2025
If you’re fatigued at just the thought of another bathroom humor story, rejoice! Rachel Michelle Wilson takes on this common but mortifying emergency and turns it into a sweet and funny picture book. A tiny bespeckled owl moves through a series vignettes fraught with peril: sleeping, sitting in class, sleeping in class, chilling at lunch after too much lemonade. Owl tries to avoid catastrophe with tried and true “scientifically tested methods”, including holding its breath, crossing its legs, and even the obvious “grab and hold.” But to no avail – a giant orange two-page spread shows the very embarrassed main character trying to avoid detection, along with this sentence in a small, unembellished font, “You peed your pants.” A meta-trip to the library shows the owl reading this very book, plus a pile of other advice manuals. After running through a series of hilarious solutions, the owl ends up sitting on a bubble-wrapped chair in the school office (Wilson inserts a timely dig here at adult insensitivity) and sweetly comforts a little pig in similar straits. The scribbly and naive illustrations in a limited color palette of grey, black, green, and orange are cartoonish and fun, bringing a light-hearted but compassionate gaiety to the story. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
May 6, 2025
Aww. This is about one of the most embarrassing things in life. My brother had a tilted bladder growing up and this happened often to him in school. I was horrible and laughed at him. I was terrible, I know. But Karma kicked in. When I turned 40 and I’m now the one who pees her pants. I could cough or laugh and I had an accident. It’s horribly embarrassing. Lucky for me, my brother doesn’t laugh at me much. He understands. I’ve had my comeuppance.
I like this story. They show all the embarrassing things about peeing your pants at school. The story shows to have compassion for the person and not laugh. I could have used that advice as a kid.
There is a great line just for me at the end. “…Adults have probably forgotten what it’s like to pee their pants. They’ll remember in a couple of years.” OH, great line. It’s just what happened to me.
The artwork could be markers, paint or digital. It looks like markers to me. The artwork is only to get the point across. It’s cute and funny.
Kids who enjoy a laugh will enjoy this.
I like this story. They show all the embarrassing things about peeing your pants at school. The story shows to have compassion for the person and not laugh. I could have used that advice as a kid.
There is a great line just for me at the end. “…Adults have probably forgotten what it’s like to pee their pants. They’ll remember in a couple of years.” OH, great line. It’s just what happened to me.
The artwork could be markers, paint or digital. It looks like markers to me. The artwork is only to get the point across. It’s cute and funny.
Kids who enjoy a laugh will enjoy this.
July 15, 2025
Where do I even start?! This book is HILARIOUS but also very sweet and full of heart. The art is sooooooo quirky and the bird main character is so dang lovable. When he has an accident at school, he goes through extreme (and extremely funny) lengths to disguise the evidence. But, in the end, he learns the only thing better than being able to disguise peed-in pants, is being a friend. It’s an amazing funny and heartfelt way to help kids know that they aren’t alone in one of the more embarrassing parts of being a kid. (In a ways that absolutely doesn’t feel like they’re learning the lesson). My kids cannot get enough of this book and have snort laughed as I’ve read it. Even my older boys sit and listen when I read it aloud. I can’t rate this highly enough!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2024
This book almost made me pee my pants (the right way) with giggles. Such a relatable topic about a common accident, handled in a hilarious, heartfelt, and charming way. Wilson's adorable characters and quirky offbeat advice about pants wetting turn a would be embarrassing moment into a sort of universal rite of passage and a way of connecting with others. This book removes any ounce of shame, replaces it with the ability to laugh at yourself, and ultimately says: "we've all been there." And we certainly have. Highly recommend for kids and adults alike... or for anyone with a bladder that hasn't always had the best timing and control.
February 20, 2026
Favorite line: “If adults make you sit on a bubble-wrapped chair while you wait for clean clothes, try not to take it personally. They’ve probably forgotten what it’s like to pee their pants. They’ll remember in a couple of years”
This one had me rolling! Who amongst us doesn’t have memories of peeing their pants at least once in their lifetime? And it’s always embarrassing. This book offers hilarious tips and tricks for peeing your pants “the right way” while being very compassionate. Don’t read it right after you’ve had a big glass of water. You might pee your own pants from laughing!
Mia’s 2nd Year of Books: Day 347
This one had me rolling! Who amongst us doesn’t have memories of peeing their pants at least once in their lifetime? And it’s always embarrassing. This book offers hilarious tips and tricks for peeing your pants “the right way” while being very compassionate. Don’t read it right after you’ve had a big glass of water. You might pee your own pants from laughing!
Mia’s 2nd Year of Books: Day 347
May 1, 2024
Oh, I loved reading this book!! Peeing one's pants could be something so embarrassing for kids to experience and let alone talk about. I love how Wilson uses humor and charming illustrations to help kids accept and lighten these moments of embarrassment, as well as develop empathy for their peers who have gone through something similar. It's so reassuring for kids to hear that it is okay to have "peed your pants" and that we've all been there. The artwork is just so adorable and fitting to the story as well! What a wonderful and lovely book!! Highly recommend!
May 27, 2024
"We've all been there."
This heartwarming book is the friend that we all need. Rachel's sparse text is full of impact. She gets directly to the emotions that accompany the embarrassing situation of peeing your pants. Her illustrations are perfect! Her sweet little bird character feels like he is a part of all of us. While this story is touching, it is not short on humor. The imagination of the little character draws you in and reminds you of your own childhood imagination. I highly encourage you to read this book. You will love it. The kids in your life will feel seen.
This heartwarming book is the friend that we all need. Rachel's sparse text is full of impact. She gets directly to the emotions that accompany the embarrassing situation of peeing your pants. Her illustrations are perfect! Her sweet little bird character feels like he is a part of all of us. While this story is touching, it is not short on humor. The imagination of the little character draws you in and reminds you of your own childhood imagination. I highly encourage you to read this book. You will love it. The kids in your life will feel seen.
December 13, 2024
Well, first there's the title. Then there's the cozy illustrations. Then there are the whackadoodle situations where the Event happened (too many refills of lemonade, for example), the strategies that didn't work, possible solutions, the discovery that You Aren't The Only Person Who Has Even Peed Their Pants, and then solidarity with others, and eventually, kindness, empathy and mutual support. This doesn't come across as an SEL book, but I assure you that it is brilliant, visionary, and ultimately triumphant. Rachel Michelle Wilson, you are brilliant and we await more of your work.
August 11, 2025
I've included this among my "realistic" categories because these cartoonish little characters represent one of the most REAL experiences young kids can have (or even older kids or ... really old folks!).
The idea that things like this happen is a given, but it should not be a given that the consequence is humiliation and horror. Yes, it needs to be dealt with, but it matters that others (peers and adults) recognize the fact that sometimes it happens.
Loads of humor, empathy, and happy resolve make this a must-read-aloud for many ages.
The idea that things like this happen is a given, but it should not be a given that the consequence is humiliation and horror. Yes, it needs to be dealt with, but it matters that others (peers and adults) recognize the fact that sometimes it happens.
Loads of humor, empathy, and happy resolve make this a must-read-aloud for many ages.
December 3, 2024
Although this is a laugh-out-loud funny picture book about peeing your pants at school, this is also a sensitive depiction of how it happened (too busy) and how to deal with it (find clothes quickly or distract). But what really makes this book special is how it conveys empathy for the situation and encourages kindness and understanding. A delightfully silly picture book with a wonderful message!
"Be the friend you wish you had . . ."
"Be the friend you wish you had . . ."
November 17, 2025
While I was reading, "How to Pee Your Pants: The Right Way" By Rachel Michelle Wilson, there were many key takeaways from this story because it was something that showed that it is okay if it is an accident. Due to the fact that they forgot to raise their hand, and they ended up peeing their pants. This story had a key takeaway that mistakes, and accidents happen, and that at the end of it you are going to be okay!
-Madison Taylor
-Madison Taylor
June 9, 2024
How To Pee Your Pants: The Right Way is like a cool, collected, and empathetic older sibling. It recognizes that we're not all perfect, and it's all gonna be okay. With humor and heart, this book doesn't talk down to you - after all, peeing your pant is serious business! - but it does help you see the bright spot in a damp situation.
October 26, 2024
Cute end pages
The page with clothing alternatives is especially comical as is the idea that if an adult forgets what it was like to pee your pants, they will remember in a couple of years. Sweet ending..."Be the friend you wish you had when you peed your pants."
Interesting color illustrations mostly mottled green with some other colors thrown in.
The page with clothing alternatives is especially comical as is the idea that if an adult forgets what it was like to pee your pants, they will remember in a couple of years. Sweet ending..."Be the friend you wish you had when you peed your pants."
Interesting color illustrations mostly mottled green with some other colors thrown in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2024
I never knew that there was an art to peeing your pants! I found out how to do it in this book. The plotline is super cute, the illustrations are marvelous, & the whole message will have young learners and readers laughing out loud AND connecting it to their lives. I look forward to reading the next one.
November 14, 2024
I love that this is about something that happens to alot of kids, and there aren't many books about it. Done very well, abit silly and unrealistic. (Kids can't send a rocket to space) but there are also practical things like asking for help, and changing clothes. But overall message is to be kind to kids that pee their pants, and that it happens to lots of kids and it's ok.
December 2, 2024
I brought home a pile of books from the library, and my kids went to this one first. With it's surprising title and silly premise, it engaged them, and I appreciated the message about friendship at the end. As I am working hard to potty train one of my kiddos, I was hoping there would be a hopeful message about using the potty, but I didn't necessarily see it.
December 3, 2024
This book is delightfully funny. I mean - we've all been there. And this book helps. It is always nice to know that you aren't the only person that has peed their pants. Plus - the line about grownups not remembering what it felt like was hysterical and oh-so-true!
Share this one over the holidays. It will be well-received! People will laugh so hard that they might just -- well, you know!
Share this one over the holidays. It will be well-received! People will laugh so hard that they might just -- well, you know!
December 12, 2024
3 stars (I liked it)
This book was silly and did make me chuckle out loud a few times (especially the line about adults forgetting what it's like to pee their pants but how they will know again in a few years).
That being said, I did also find this a bit weird and not likely a book I will purchase for my school library.
This book was silly and did make me chuckle out loud a few times (especially the line about adults forgetting what it's like to pee their pants but how they will know again in a few years).
That being said, I did also find this a bit weird and not likely a book I will purchase for my school library.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews