Goldilocks and the Just Right Potty (Leigh Hodgkinson)

Title:  Goldilocks and the Just Right Potty

Author: Leigh Hodgkinson

Illustrator:  Leigh Hodgkinson

Target Ages:  1-4

Genre:  Fractured Fairy Tale Picture Book

Publisher Summary: 

Little Goldilocks wants to wear underwear—big-girl underwear that’s not too silly and not too frilly, but just right.  Then she needs to find the perfect potty.  But will she know what to do when she needs to go?  And will she get to the potty in time?

First Lines:

Once upon a time, there was a very little girl named Goldilocks who lived in the woods with her mommy and daddy.  Goldilocks was tired of wearing soggy diapers, so she decided it was time to wear BIG girl underwear. 

Evaluation:

 I am well passed potty training with my kids, but the fairy tale format caused me to pick up this book from a library display.  I am a sucker for a fractured fairy tale. 

I love the way the author used the format of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” in a realistic and creative way.  Instead of dealing with the obstacles in the bears’ home, this Goldilocks must learn how to understand her body’s cues for when to go potty, find a place to go that is “just right” for her, and accept sometimes she makes potty mistakes.  After some ups and downs, she learns to go on the potty.  Her parents praise her for being a clever girl.

The predictable format and structure as well as the child-friendly phrases are conducive to early childhood reading interaction.  After a couple readings, kids can “read along” with you.  For instance, they can predict (based on pictures and lead in prompts) phrases like “too frilly,” “too silly,” “too big,” and “too small.”  There are some other engaging words they will want to say along with the characters, such as “uh-oh,” “yay,” and “just right.”

The bright colors and vivid illustrations include things children love, like animals, rainbows, stars, hearts, and toys.  Goldilocks is pictured in everyday situations like playing with her toys, eating with her family (appears to be an allusion to the porage from the original fairy tale), and reading books.  Mom and dad are present, but the focus is on Goldilocks feeling empowered to understand her own body and to learn to read its cues. 

This book is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, whether they are being introduced to the concept of potty training or struggling to perfect it. 

My Parenting Potty Training Experience: 

Around the mom-table you may hear about  “advanced” kids fully trained at 12 or 18 months. However, those situations are extremely rare. The average age for being fully potty trained is 3 years old, meaning some master it before but about just as many master it after.  Do not fret if your child is not an early potty master.

Do not compare your child’s progress (or lack thereof) to others’.  I made that mistake with my first child.  Fortunately, she got the BM down early, but peeing on the potty did not interest her.  I pushed her.  She pushed backed.  One day, I put her on the potty.  She did nothing, so I put big girl panties on her.  A couple minutes later, she was standing watching TV.  She nonchalantly peed in her spot.  I quit pushing.  A couple days before she turned 3, she decided on her own she was tired of wet diapers.  She was fully potty trained. 

I did not push my son.   He was a child that was always on his own milestone schedule.  It took him slightly longer to be fully trained, about 3 years, 4 months.  I barely remember his experience because I did not push and stress.  I encouraged, but waited patiently.

Bottom Line: Whether you stress and push or you relax and wait, your child will eventually be potty trained.  In the grand scheme, it does not matter if it is 24, 36, or 40 months. 

Activities and Extension Ideas:

Potty Training Milestones

30 Best-Ever Potty Training Tips

Potty-Training Games

Potty Training Charts HERE, HERE, and HERE

5 Ways to Keep Toddlers Entertained While Potty Training

Do you have any potty training advice?  Tell us in the comments.

Visit Susanna Hill's Blog for more Perfect Picture Book Suggestions.

Potty Animals (by Joy Hope Vestergaard)

Potty Animals:  What to Know When You’ve Gotta Go!  (Joy Hope Vestergaard)

(from the book flap)

Know any kids who are afraid to flush?  Or maybe a few with really bad aim?  Wish you could help them remember not to drink too much water before—uh oh!—nap time? Have no fear, the potty animals from Sycamore Preschool are here to help little ones everywhere be in the know when it’s time to go!

Evaluation:

Potty Animals is broken down into 11 bad habits and silly fears that young children often have, such as forgetting to close the door, to wash hands, and to wipe well.  The text is written in an amusing poetic verse that resonates both truth and laughter:

Agnes has a problem

with bubbles in her belly.

When they come out (and they come),

the room can get quite smelly.

Agnes just can’t help it,

she has to let them out.

But after several episodes,

it makes her classmates shout:

Excuse yourself, Agnes!

This book made me laugh out loud as it prompted me to think about some of the “animals” in my life who need some reminders.J   Preschoolers will love the adorable animals and whimsical illustrations by Valerie Petrone.  The experiences of the characters reflect ones that children will relate too—going on field trips, playing outside, and interacting in a classroom.  Short phrases are used for each “potty” situation that can be used at home or school:  Plan ahead!  Knock first!  Flush & zip!  and Always turn out the light!

I recommend this for parents and teachers working this preschool or early grade school aged children.  Potty Animals is sure to make adults and children giggle while teaching some important hygiene and social lessons.  

Picture Books: Dinosaur vs. the Potty (and Bedtime) by Bob Shea

Author Bob Shea has two memorable must-read books for preschool-aged children.   In both, the main character is a young dinosaur who aptly conveys the experience and personality of many young children (ages 2-6).  The lively illustrations use broad strokes, mixed media, and vivid colors—focusing on a plainly drawn but endearing and energetic dinosaur.   Parents (and preschool teachers) will find these selections helpful and entertaining. 

Dinosaur vs. Bedtime
Ordinary encounters are depicted with fervor and importance.  A dinosaur conquers many challenges throughout his day, such as a pile of leaves, a big slide, a bowl of spaghetti, and a tooth brushing.  In each contest, he “roars” his way to victory!  The red toothy dinosaur’s biggest challenge, though, is bedtime.  After a long day of excitement and amusement, the energetic protagonist cannot defeat bedtime—no matter how much he “roars.”  Ultimately, bedtime wins.  

This story fittingly portrays the experience of the toddler or preschooler who has many opportunities for new experiences and independence during his day.  In this case, the dinosaur confidently and successfully meets each challenge.  The character also illustrates the vivaciousness and activeness of most little children.  They desperately need their sleep, but they yearn to stretch out their days as long as possible.  The dinosaur conveys that it is all right to let sleep win!  

 Dinosaur vs. the Potty 

“Roar!  I don’t need to use the potty!”  asserts the determined, active dinosaur as the story opens.  Following a similar format as the first installment in this series, the dinosaur takes on various challenges---all related to fluids!   He makes lemonade, splashes in the sprinkler, drinks THREE juice boxes at lunch, plays in the pool, and splashes in rain puddles---yet each time he adamantly announces that he does NOT need to use the potty!   As he does his victory jig in the rain, he begins to realize that it may be another type of dance—a potty dance.  Dinosaur runs and roars all the way to the potty.  It is a close one—but fortunately, “The potty wins!” 

I love this book even more than his first one!  The story illustrates how children can get so wrapped up in the excitement of the day that they find it difficult to take time to potty.  Setting up potty training as a task to conquer, it may entice some youngsters may to follow in Dinosaur’s footsteps and to have a victory.  The amusing onomatopoeia and repetition make the story ideal for reading out loud and choral participation.  This beloved dinosaur protagonist is sure to charm your kids—and no doubt you!