Review by Booklist Review
Kids will learn the rules of toilet training in this cheerful, rhyming picture book that introduces a cast of young beasties who make mistakes in their preschool's potty until they realize how to handle all the aspects of hygiene, cleanliness, privacy, and finishing up ( flush and zip ).Wilma tends to wait too long before she goes to the potty, and sometimes she is too late. Freddie is afraid to flush, so he acts like he forgets. Helga reads and dreams on the toilet while a line of kids wait to use it. In the schoolyard, Arnold is great at shooting the ball in the net, but when it is time to go to the bathroom, he isn't always accurate; he hits the lid, then the floor: Yuck! Lift the seat. Benji, who tends to barge in on others, learns his lesson when someone does the same to him: Knock first! Never intimidating, this informative, fun title, illustrated in smooth, candy-colored artwork, shows that everyone can mess up, get over it, and learn to change.--Rochman, Hazel Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Petrone's cheery digital characters and Vestergaard's decorous yet humorous rhymes invite readers to help civilize the bathroom habits of some uncouth preschool-age animals. Each exhibits a different undesirable trait (a bear, Georgie, "didn't like to wipe./ He got an itchy feeling/ that made him groan and gripe"), which is followed by a clear-cut rule ("Wipe every time, Georgie!"). Vestergaard's rhymes are a weak point; they can meander and even confuse as they stretch to make the meter work. Readers may well recognize and empathize with the animals' bad behavior: forgetting to use soap, public farting, not knocking before entering, and failing to flush. Petrone's wide-eyed cartoon animals capture a broad spectrum of toddler emotions, from the blissful daydreaming of Helga the duck, who holds up the line with her lollygagging, to the embarrassment of Sukey the raccoon, who, at a slumber party, awakens from a dream about "floating down a stream" to discover "it's not a dream"-every kid's nightmare. Ages 3-6. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-K-"Most critters are quite tidy:/a clean and pleasant lot./But now and then you'll meet a few/young beasties who are not." So begins this humorous guide that addresses checking one's zipper, washing hands with soap, lifting the toilet seat, and remembering to flush. All of these rules are taught in a preschool setting, with animal characters. The rhyming text is humorous without being silly, and gives some important instruction. At the end of each description of a given problem, there is a reminder of the correct behavior in a larger font ("Stanley, use the toilet!"). There isn't really a gross-out factor with this book-all of the behaviors and descriptions are appropriate for the audience. The funny situations will make for uproarious reading. The animal characters are endearing and friendly, with slightly exaggerated tails, ears, and noses. Potty Animals is a practical yet fun addition.-Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Flush! Zip! Close the door! Potty trainees have lots to remember, and these humorous reminders in rhyme offer help. Parents can dip right in and address a pertinent problem, whether the listener is like Wilma, who waits too long, or like Arnold, who doesn't lift the seat. Cartoonish animals demonstrate each toilet faux pas. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Unruly critters from Sycamore Preschool learn bathroom etiquette in this wry tale. Rambunctious rhymes delineate the offenses of an assortment of forgetful creatures. From Benji the barger, who fails to knock before entering, to Georgie's aversion to wiping, all aspects of potty-training fundamentals are covered. Standard rhymes in an abcb pattern divided between each two-page spread outline commonplace infractions and are concluded with an exuberantly delivered reminder. Petrone's digital artwork portrays a cuddly zoo of offenders, including diminutive hippos, congenial tigers and perky pigs. Vestergaard tackles a delicate subject with levity, humor and a keen understanding of the potty-related foibles of the very young. Amid the giggles and innocuous bathroom humor, this potty primer adeptly conveys its vital message to preschoolers. This welcome addition to the genre offers parents and teachers a playful way to address a necessary topic. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
