I Use the Potty

December 7, 2015
The allure of being a “big kid” is a time-honored way of encouraging children to move out of the diaper phase, and van Lieshout (Hopper and Wilson Fetch a Star) makes exuberant use of the tactic in one of two books launching the Big Kid Power series (Bye-Bye Binky is available simultaneously). A boy with spiky black hair narrates, and he couldn’t be readier to distance himself from his baby days. “I pooped and peed in so many diapers,” he explains, looking back. “Yucky, stinky diapers!” Van Lieshout also appeals directly to kids’ love of discussing all things excretory, and when the boy later shows readers how he uses the toilet, the results speak for themselves with a resounding “plop.” Swoopy black outlines, a chunky typeface, and a contrasting palette of muted teal and bright yellow give the pages a fresh look and a strong visual punch. The small, square trim size is just right for children looking for a little on-the-pot reading material—how better to really act like a grownup? Ages 2–4. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.

March 1, 2016

Toddler-PreS-These simple and visually bold titles address two common milestones in the life of a young child-letting go of a pacifier and potty training. Van Lieshout uses the appeal of being a "big kid" to encourage young children. In Bye-Bye Binky, a smiling toddler narrates her transition from a crying baby comforted only by her binky to a girl who can ask for what she needs. She marks her transition to "big kid" by passing her binky along to another baby. The digital illustrations match the simple text and mainly feature the central character, rendered in thick black lines and positioned against a solid background. Neon orange contrasts with chocolate brown, creating a striking visual effect. I Use the Potty centers on a boy who is also looking back at his baby days, when he "pooped and peed in SO MANY DIAPERS." There is plenty to appeal to those who find potty humor hilarious, including a satisfying "plop" when he finally masters the potty. The illustrations in this title are done in muted blue and neon yellow, which works especially well for an unfortunate leaky diaper scene. VERDICT Simple and engaging, these titles will work for even the shortest attention spans.-Kimberly Tolson, Medfield Public Library, MA

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2016
These volumes discuss getting-bigger milestones in a way that little kids can grasp. Direct-address text describes each protagonist's journey from diaper- or binky-user to "BIG KID!" Simple digital illustrations in a limited palette plus thick black lines and white outlines keep the focus squarely on each toddler narrator. The books' petite, square shapes and sturdy bindings are well conceived for little hands.

(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

March 1, 2016
In the Leslie Patricelli preschool-book mold (Potty, rev. 1/11, and many others), these volumes discuss getting-bigger milestones -- learning to use the potty, giving up the pacifier -- in a way that little kids can grasp. Direct-address text describes each protagonist's journey from diaper- or binky-user to BIG KID! Binky provides alternatives ( Big kids ask for HUGS. When I am tired, I cuddle with my lovey ) and suggestions for paying it forward ( I'll give it to a little baby. When the baby cries, he can use my binky ), while Potty offers incentives ( Big kids wear UNDERWEAR! ) and step-by-step reminders ( When I have to goI go into the bathroom, pull down my undies, and sit on the potty. Sometimes it takes a while ). Simple digital illustrations in a limited palette -- bright-yellow and gray-blue in Potty, neon-orange and warm-brown in Binky -- plus thick black lines and white outlines keep the focus squarely on each toddler narrator and his or her small-scale surroundings. The books' petite, square shapes and sturdy bindings are well conceived for little hands. elissa gershowitz Fish by Liam Francis Walsh; illus. by the author Preschool, Primary Porter/Roaring Brook 32 pp. 5/16 978-1-62672-333-7 $17.99 g In this nearly wordless picture book, a boy and his dog go fishing and pull in not a fish but a large letter F. I soon follows, and then S, provoking the assumption that an H will conclude this part of the story (by spelling out F-I-S-H). Not so fast. The boy, after reeling in a disappointing letter Q, is then pulled underwater for a mini-adventure where he encounters masses of Hs and other letters swarming like schools of fish in the bold, busy cartoon art. He finally surfaces, triumphant, with that coveted letter H, but the story -- and the word he's spelling -- isn't over, leading to a surprise ending that's foreshadowed from the very start. In Walsh's comic-style pen and watercolor illustrations, red alphabet letters stand out against a limited color palette of black, white, and light blue. The pacing is spot-on, with full pages, spreads, and occasional panel art all working together to reel in the laughs, making this more than just another fish story. megan dowd lambert

(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)