Leo Uses the Potty!
The potty training story, rewritten for your child
Every page is redrawn around the child you make it for. Keep the story’s own hero and give them your child’s name, or choose someone new — it takes a minute, and nothing is locked in.
From$34.99 USD
Free to start. No payment to see your child in the story.
- 30 pages, hardcover
- 5.9 × 5.9 in
- Ages 2-3
- Premium, thick pages
- Free standard shipping included
- Printed & delivered in 2-3 weeks (US)
Start with the story’s own hero or pick from our cast — then give them your child’s name.
A warm, funny potty training story that makes boys aged 2–3 feel proud, capable, and ready to try.
That’s the story. The rest is how it becomes your child’s.
How personalization works
Who is this story about?
Keep the story’s own hero
The hero is already written and drawn for this book. Give them your child’s name if you like — that’s the whole edit.
Or swap in one of our cast
Eight characters to start from, and you rename whoever you pick.
- Luna
- Theo
- Mateo
- Sofia
- Amara
- Layla
- Mei
- Ravi
Or make your own
Describe them in a sentence, or add a photo to guide the likeness. Either way, entirely optional.
The characters are just the start.
Every part of this book is yours to change. Not a name dropped into a template — the whole thing is redrawn around the child you’re making it for.
- Every illustrationAll 30 pages are drawn fresh, not stamped with a face.
- The rooms and placesYour child's actual bedroom, your street, the places the story visits.
- The objects that recurThe specific blanket, the toy they won’t sleep without — carried page to page.
- Everyone else in itSiblings, grandparents, the dog. Named and drawn as themselves.
- The story itselfChange what happens, and the words on the page change with it.
- Or change nothingPick a hero and read it tonight. The rest is there when you want it.
What's Inside This Book
1 of 16 spreads
Every character, scene, and object in this book can be replaced with your own — your child's name, your family photos, your home, your school.
What you get
Free to start. No payment to see your child in the story.
Start free
- Free to start — no card needed
- See your child in the story in minutes
- Rename the hero and edit the story text
- Choose a ready-made character, or add a photo later
- Export a PDF of what you make
Your perfect keepsake
Hardcover book
- Full-color hardcover, 15×15cm
- Free standard shipping included
- Printed & delivered in about 2-3 weeks (US)
- Personalize names, story text & style
- Add your own photos once you are in the editor
Quick summary of Leo Uses the Potty!
Leo Uses the Potty! is a warm, funny potty training story designed for boys aged 2-3 that builds confidence and independence. Through Leo's relatable journey, toddlers learn that using the potty is a natural, proud milestone worth celebrating.
This personalized children's book guides boys aged 2–3 through potty training step by step, following Leo and his Mummy. It covers body signals, independent wiping, flushing, and handwashing — turning every stage of the process into a moment of pride and celebration.
Key Takeaways
- Builds body-signal awareness through gentle, age-appropriate language about listening to your tummy
- Models every potty step — wiping, flushing, handwashing — so boys know exactly what to expect
- Celebrates effort over perfection, reassuring toddlers that accidents are a normal part of learning
- Sparks independence and pride through Leo pulling down his own underwear and wiping all by himself
- Reinforces Mummy's role as a warm encourager, supporting the parent-child bond during this milestone
Why This Book Works
Narrative modeling is one of the most effective tools in early childhood toilet training, according to Dr. Alan Brazelton, whose 2003 child-readiness framework remains the clinical standard. When toddlers see a character their own age successfully complete each step, mirror neuron activation makes them more likely to attempt the same behavior. Leo's step-by-step journey — from tummy signal to handwash — gives boys a clear internal script to follow, reducing anxiety and resistance before the first attempt.
Personalization amplifies this effect significantly. A 2018 study from the University of Toronto found children showed deeper story engagement and greater self-identification when the main character shared their name and family role. By placing your child's name in Leo's role alongside Mummy, the story shifts from passive entertainment to active self-rehearsal — the child mentally practices the task while being read to, which accelerates skill transfer to real-world behavior.
The book's explicit acknowledgment that accidents are okay is rooted in Dr. John Gottman's emotion-coaching research, which shows that validating a child's setbacks prevents shame spirals that stall toilet training progress. Page 25's line — 'Sometimes he is still learning. That is okay!' — directly counters the perfectionism that causes many toddlers to regress. Paired with Mummy's celebratory hug, this creates the safety-plus-pride combination that pediatric behavioral specialists identify as the optimal emotional environment for milestone achievement.
Common Misconceptions
Boys should start potty training later than girls
Readiness depends on the individual child, not gender. The American Academy of Pediatrics confirms most children show readiness signals between 18–24 months regardless of sex. Waiting too long can actually increase resistance.
If a child has accidents, training isn't working
Accidents are neurologically normal during training. The bladder control pathway isn't fully myelinated until age 3–4, meaning occasional accidents are physiological, not behavioral failures. Consistent praise for successes matters far more than punishing misses.
Books about potty training spoil the surprise and reduce motivation
Research on procedural narrative shows the opposite — previewing steps through story reduces fear of the unknown and builds anticipatory confidence, making children more willing to try rather than resist.
How to Read This Book with Your Child
Best time to read: Read it first at a calm, relaxed moment — after bath or before bed — not during an active training attempt. Reread daily for the first two weeks of training.
Read this book 2–3 days before you introduce the potty, not on the same day. Point to the potty in your bathroom and say, 'We have one just like Leo's!' Let your child hold the book — ownership increases engagement. If you've personalized it with their name, let them notice it themselves.
Conversation Starters
- “Can you remember what Leo did after he pulled down his underwear?”
- “What do you think Leo's tummy was trying to tell him?”
- “How did Mummy feel when Leo used the potty all by himself?”
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is this book best for?
Leo Uses the Potty! is designed for boys aged 2-3 years old who are showing signs of readiness for potty training. It can also be used with slightly older toddlers just beginning their potty journey.
Will this book motivate my son to actually use the potty?
This book normalizes potty training and makes it feel like a positive, exciting milestone rather than something scary. Combined with consistent parenting, it helps toddlers feel confident and willing to try.
Is the story funny enough to hold a toddler's attention?
Yes! The book uses warm humor and relatable moments that resonate with toddlers, keeping them engaged while delivering gentle potty training messages without pressure or shame.
Can girls read this book too, or is it only for boys?
While written specifically for boys with a male protagonist, girls can enjoy Leo's story. Parents may want to note the character's gender and discuss how their daughter uses the potty differently.
Does the book address accidents or resistance?
The book focuses on celebrating the positive experience of using the potty and building confidence. It approaches potty training as a natural, achievable milestone without shaming accidents.
Is this book appropriate as a gift for a child starting potty training?
Absolutely! It's an ideal milestone gift for 2-3 year old boys and a thoughtful present from grandparents, aunts, uncles, or friends supporting this developmental transition.
The potty training story, rewritten for your child
Free to start. No payment to see your child in the story.
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