How to Pee: Potty Training for Boys: Potty Training for Boys

by Todd Spector, Arree Chung (Illustrator)

Out with the old and in with the new! Family physician Dr. Todd Spector presents a fresh and outrageously fun way to encourage little boys to give up their diapers. They can try it freestyle (in the backyard!), or give the potty a try with the help of a few props and plenty of imagination. Peeing in the potty is a lot more fun if you do it rocket style, cowboy style, or superhero style!
Inspired by Dr. Spector's own experiences potty training his son, this combination of laugh-out-loud scenarios and useful advice turns the dreaded potty-training process into an exciting adventure for all.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction, Humor, Parenting

40 pages, Hardcover

First published April 14, 2015

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't tell if it's whimsical and fun... or if it's terrible advice that I don't like. I think I'll have to get back to you?

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know what to say about this book. It was kind of weird. I potty trained 2 boys and never had to come up with anything special to get them to pee in the potty. Maybe I was lucky, I don't know. I'm glad this worked for the good doctor/author but most people would have a problem telling kids to pee outside. Even if it's in their own backyards. And then there was the one "style" outside where the kid would carve out a river and he would pee in it to make the river flow!? Well, the doctor and his wife will have to have a girl so he can write another book and tell us if this works for girls too.

[Cara · Rating 2 out of 5]

What the what?! I don't have kids, so maybe this is normal, but I strongly suspect that this method of potty training would have pee everywhere!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was hilarious! My coworkers got a kick out of it as well. It's definitely not for everyone, but for parents who are okay with adding a little silliness into their toilet training, this book has some good ideas. If you do have a little guy who is having a hard time catching on, I'd give it a look. Some of the ideas would work for girls as well--just maybe not the ones involving outdoor urination. :) I liked the note from the author at the end as well, very encouraging for parents who may be struggling with potty training.

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Potty training sucks. There is no way around it. Potty training a boy was an experience I was not quite ready for as a mother. This book helps you find new ways to creatively have fun while peeing. Try cowboy style, rocket style, or guitar style. While some of these will probably lead to more pee on the floor, the smiles and giggles might be worth it.
Full disclaimer: This book advocates peeing outside. So if you don't want to introduce that idea to your child, you might want to pass on this book.

[Rebecca Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hate that this book has so many awful reviews! This is the one book/thing that got my son (2.5 at the time) excited to start potty training. We would read it over and over and he thought it was hilarious. He's now 3.5 and he still says "turn on the hose!!" I had no problem letting him recreate some of his favorites, and maybe we're just country hicks, but if a boy wants to go outside, just let him! There are days I wish it was that easy for me!

[Erica Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, so funny. I like mommy style

[A Allen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is full of imaginative ways to potty, like a firefighter with a "hose" for example. But I really couldn't get into it; I especially hated "mommy style" and both of the outdoor peeing ones. Ultimately, this book is about making peeing "fun" and not at all about learning to use the potty.

[Jayne Pixton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was adorable.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just as weird,somewhat amusing, and not-actually-helpful as the Girls Pee one. I'd like to know if this horrifies or amuses parents who are currently potty training.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't decide if this is clever or an accident waiting to happen. . . .

[Holliferous · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little weird, but I could see how it'd be maybe helpful for convincing little boys to try.

[Lynne Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Arree Chung's art is fun. It's just an odd book and I disagree with any place, any time.

[Amanda Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son loved this book. My daughter was unamused.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I see what the author is trying to do by making potty training more fun by adding props and costumes, but I don't think this is very realistic.

[Christine Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary
Out with the old and in with the new! Family physician Dr. Todd Spector presents a fresh and outrageously fun way to encourage little boys to give up their diapers. They can try it freestyle (in the backyard!), or give the potty a try with the help of a few props and plenty of imagination. Peeing in the potty is a lot more fun if you do it rocket style, cowboy style, or superhero style! Inspired by Dr. Spector's own experiences potty training his son, this combination of laugh-out-loud scenarios and useful advice turns the dreaded potty-training process into an exciting adventure for all.

Author Notes
Dr. Todd Spector is a family practitioner living and working in Santa Monica, California. He also runs an online program promoting community and family health, and enjoys surfing and spending time with his children. How to Pee is his first book. Arree Chung is the author and illustrator of Ninja! Before entering the world of children's books, he worked in video games as a designer and art director and earned his degree from the Art Center College of Design. Arree lives in the San Francisco Bay area with his family.


Subject:
Toilet training -- Juvenile literature
Urination -- Juvenile literature.
Boys -- Health and hygiene -- Juvenile literature.

Funny

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I never thought about turning potty training into a series of games, but this picture book depicts it in that way. Thus, young boys can learn how to pee like a cowboy, as astronaut or even outside in the open air. There's even a waterfall style in which the urine carves out a path in the landscape. I guess you'd need to be a guy to truly appreciate this, but many parents and youngsters will have their feelings about going to the bathroom reaffirmed in the book's pages. The acrylic paint and Photoshopped illustrations are funny, but my heart goes out to the little boy as he performs in front of his parents. Something tells me that might be hard for me to do.

[Ro Menendez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids will give the potty a try if they get to "free style" like the character in this book. The book is geared towards boys in potty training, but many of the suggestions for using the potty in a fun and efficient manner can be practiced regardless of how you potty. Bold color illustrations with caricature-like characters and step-by-step instructions make this book not only a great read for story time, but as a how-to manual as well. Each style ends in a successful use of the potty. The author includes a note for parents at the beginning of the book, offering some pointers on how "free style" potty worked for his own household.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really funny and unique book that can get boys (and girls) excited about peeing in the toilet. It depicts different styles: from mommy style, to waterfall style to cowboy style. This could get a little weird/ messy but it can also inspire imagination and excitement-- I'm torn about this book. I also wish it wasn't just for boys!

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a very humorous book. Could it lead to a few potty training disasters? Sure. Are there going to be disasters regardless? Yes. I think this is a cute book, and people should get a giggle out of it, which is I'm sure how it was intended.

[Beth Kakuma-Depew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that encourages creativity, theatrics and imagination when potty training boys. Good way for nervous new parents to add humor and fun to this sometimes stress-full stage.

Now we just need the girl version.

[The Book Box]

Re-read July 2019: Mama got some potty training books from the library to share with a friend, so we read through some of them this morning. I loved all the silly ways to use the potty in this book! It made me laugh.

Originally read February 2017: Daddy read this to me the other night.

[Ampersand Inc. · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Ali:
****

From Dot:
***

From Judy:
****

From Saffron:
*****

[Amy Kneece · Rating 2 out of 5]

uuuummmmmm...bizarre.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

If only I had had this book seven years ago when I was potty training my son! Full of so many fun ways to get them to go!

[Joey Gremillion · Rating 5 out of 5]

very cute way to introduce potty training.

[FIND ME ON STORYGRAPH]

recommend if you want to have a good laugh. do not recommend if you are potty training your child.

ps gotta say "mommy style" was a little sexist and condescending.

[Ama · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very humorous potty training book.

[Brindi Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is hilarious! great illustrations...must gift for birthdays :)

[Jamie Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

My nephew is potty training and this book is hilarious. I think it's good to have a little humor while dealing with potty training.