LIONEL POOPS

Oh, the places you'll poop.

The potty-training phase is a period of time filled with joys, frustrations, and the dawning realization for both caregivers and toddlers that everything has the potential to become a toilet. Veillé encapsulates that joie de vivre in the story of Lionel, a young lion happily going about his day until nature calls. But where shall Lionel do his business? Should he go No. 2 on a herd of cows? Should he unloose his caboose on some tennis balls? Perhaps he should go on the Eiffel Tower instead. With each passing suggestion, an unseen narrator (and many a young reader) responds with a resounding “NO, LIONEL, NO!” sending the young lion off to his next possible target. Thankfully, especially for the good citizens of Paris, and those cows, Lionel eventually goes on his potty to a resounding “YES, LIONEL, YES!” The story is sublime in its simplicity, and the humor will delight its intended audience as well as the caregivers helping remind them of the appropriate place to potty. The primary-hued illustrations excellently capture Lionel's mood and humor. In the grand scheme of life, potty training doesn't take too long (huzzah!). But when you're in the throes, it can seem like an eternity—Lionel will make that eternity much more tolerable. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Potty training has never been so much fun.