Going to the Potty

by Fred Rogers

" Going to the Potty handles a sensitive subject with the same quiet candor and respect for young audiences that are the hallmark of his Mister Rogers' Neighborhood TV show."-- Publishers Weekly

Parent and child may read together about the way children develop in the experience of eliminating waste products from their body and about the positive aspects of using the toilet.

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

32 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 1986

About the author

Fred McFeely Rogers was an American educator, minister, songwriter, and television host. Rogers was the host of the television show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, in production from 1968 to 2001. Rogers was also an ordained Presbyterian minister.

Reviews

[Wil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr Rodger s is perfect for all generations and I had to buy for kids when I found them

[S]

OMG LOOK AT THOSE BAAAAABIES

In other news, a matter of fact masterpiece with adorable children and hilariously dated parents. My kids lose their potty focus on the sandbox page, though. Also, I appreciate that he says I can use POOP for "bowel movement" right in the introduction. And that the sexes aren't segregated.

WE ALL POOP AND MR. ROGERS LOVES US ANYWAY.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only good potty training book. My child studies the photos of toddlers on gorgeous almond colored 80s toilets like they hold the secrets of the universe.

[Tara Engel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dated, was probably okay for it's time.

[sasasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

this one is great. mr rogers talks to kids like people and doesn't try to be cute about any of it. the boys love it because it shows lots of actual children. i don't know why so many authors of these books feel the need to have different editions for boys and girls, since by this age they are curious about all of that anyway.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the course of our training, we've had a lot of accidents. A lot of good dry days, too, but the goal is of course no accidents. Anyway, since reading this book, Caleb has been dry every day. He likes the book, and I like how things have been going since reading it!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the pictures are rather dated at this point, this is a good book to read to kids to get them used to the idea of using the toilet. It explains that babies wear diapers, but as they get older they start to learn how to do many things with potty training being the last thing (and of course the focus of the rest of the book). I modified the words a bit as I read it to my 2yo, but both before and during potty training it was a hit. She wanted to read it over and over again while sitting on the potty at the start of potty training. I like that it doesn't include value judgements, but is more fact based.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than most recent books, but it needs some updating — though hopefully not the classic pictures!

No toddler needs to be taught "bowl movement." Cloth diapers are just a confusing introduction to 99% of kids in 2023. And every single potty training book recommends teaching boys to sit down when they pee.

But so long as you change a few sentences and skip the standing up to pee page, it's great.

[Annburnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book for potty training a toddler.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the student is ready, the teacher will be waiting.

[Annie MacPherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtful, but dated 🧻

[Lynnette · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a fine book. Nice to have photos instead of illustrations. Breaks it down pretty well for kids. Some of the pages have quite a few words.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helped get 2.5 yo son accustomed to idea of going to the potty. I think it was really helpful to have the real life photos as opposed to illustrations in this case.

[Katie Nanney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was...interesting. I don't know why I read it except to see how Mr. Rogers handled going to the bathroom. He did not disappoint. He explained what a bowl movement was and why going to the bathroom means you are growing up. It was tactfully done and I really appreciated that. I will not be taking this book into my classroom at any point, even for kindergarten. They should all know how to use the bathroom and will not ever need this book.

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4* photos (a little dated, that's all)
5* story/information

Squirt loved this book, had me read it to him every day while we had it out from the library. Fred Rogers has this quiet, gentle way of expressing himself that gets our attention and makes us listen. Excellent book for potty training that emphasizes the joy of growing.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 2-year old likes this book. It contains photos of children in various settings, and doesn't dwell too much on bathrooms. He likes to point out familiar objects in the pictures and see what the children are doing.
The text on each page is a little too long for his attention span, though.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Rogers! The use of real pictures (vs. drawings) makes this book my son's favorite. (No, there are not pictures of actual pottying, etc.)

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

As good as any other book out there, maybe better.

[Adele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an informative potty book starting with how diapers are for babies and finishing with what to do when you are not at home. This even covers how boys and girls go #1 differently.

[Kiddo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a nice accompaniment to 'My Big Boy Potty.' This book features photographs (not drawings) and correct terms (urine and bowl movements).

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is actually a pretty good book in that it's pretty respectful of children, but I'm just not sure if I can rate any book on toilet learning higher than a 3.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but dated

[Sheri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too dated for me but still ok