Diapers Are Not Forever has been our book of choice this past month as number 3 went through his potty training.  Elizabeth Verdick talks directly to the potty training toddler in this cute, short board book.

"Every day, you get bigger and BIGGER.
From head to toe, see how you've grown?"

She talks about how the toddler is getting new clothes, and now being ready for something else that's new.  A potty!  Why?

"Because diapers are not forever."

Using big kids as a role model, the toddler can now do what they can do.  She talks about how girls sit down to pee or poop, then wipe and flush.  Boys can do it that way too, or they can stand up to pee.  Then, of course, the big kids wash their hands.  The toddler is told that it takes lots of practice to use a potty, but when they finally do, it's a time to feel proud, and their family can clap and cheer.  
Verdick ends the book talking about wearing big kid underwear and saying "good-bye diapers!"

We have a large collection of the Free Spirit Toddler Tools and Best Behavior books and love them for their positive messages, bright pictures of multi-racial toddlers, and toddler-engaging writing.  Diapers Are Not Forever is illustrated by Marieka Heinlen and is no exception to the bright, engaging pictures that we've grown to expect and love from our Free Spirit books.  With brightly colored backgrounds, the focus of each picture is on the cartoonish people.  Each page shows a different child or family to go along with the text.  Within Diapers Are Not Forever, we see an African American family, Asian, Caucasian and Hispanic.   

The last page of the book includes Tips for Parents and Caregivers for potty training.  

We've read Diapers Are Not Forever about three hundred times this month, or at least as many times as it took for my almost three-year-old can 'read' it from memory.  Like the other Free Spirit Toddler books, it's a favorite in our house.

Free Spirit Best Behavior Books: http://www.freespirit.com/bestbehavior/

Other books in the series: Feet Are Not for Kicking, Germs Are Not for Sharing, Hands Are Not for Hitting, Tails Are Not for Pulling, Pacifiers Are Not Forever, Teeth Are Not for Biting, Words Are Not for Hurting

Potty Train in Three Days 

Recommended: Yes