A Feel Better Book for Little Poopers

by Holly Brochmann, Leah Bowen, Shirley Ng-Benitez (Illustrator)

Overview

In lively, soothing rhyming text, this book helps little ones who are first learning to use the bathroom to understand that pooping doesn’t have to be uncomfortable or scary.

Pooping can feel like a BIG deal to a LITTLE kid!

It’s very confusing
when your head says no
but your body is saying
I really need to go!

The gentle and calming narration gives readers concrete coping strategies and practical advice.

Authors Holly Brochmann and Leah Bowen offer an insightful Note to Parents and Caregivers with more information about helping little poopers to stay calm and have success!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781433832406
Publisher:	Magination Press, American Psychological Association
Publication date:	05/31/2024
Series:	Feel Better Books for Little Kids
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.25(w) x 10.25(h) x (d)
Age Range:	7 - 8 Years

About the Author

Holly Brochmann is an advocate for managing common mental health issues through therapy and exercise. She has a degree in journalism and enjoys creative writing. Holly lives in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Leah Bowen has a master of education degree in counseling with a focus in play therapy. She is a licensed professional counselor and registered play therapist in the state of Texas where she currently practices.

Shirley Ng-Benitez loves to draw! Since 1998 she has owned gabbyandco.com, a design firm, and is now living her dream illustrating and writing picture books in the Bay Area, California.

Editorial Reviews

Kudos to Holly Brochmann and Leah Bowen for tackling this important topic for young children.

Children’s Books Heal

Kudos to Holly Brochmann and Leah Bowen for tackeling this important topic for young children.

Children’s Books Heal

2020-03-29
Help for kids whose No. 1 fear is going No. 2.

While shelves may groan with potty-training books, this bibliotherapeutic title is for kids who are already out of diapers but are afraid to poop on the toilet. A backmatter note to adults explains: “There is a common, but vicious cycle that happens when a child is scared to use the bathroom—they hold their poop in, subsequently become constipated, it hurts when it finally does come out, the pain creates fear so they hold it again, and the cycle is repeated over and over.” The rhymed verse of the main text offers a similar explanation directed at child readers: “You don’t want to go / in the potty like you should— / you’re worried and scared / that it won’t feel good.” The text goes on to offer validation of children’s fears, tips for relaxing, and the reassurance that everyone poops (to borrow Taro Gomi’s title line from his popular 1977 picture book). Both parts of the text (backmatter and the book proper) acknowledge the physical discomfort this cycle can cause as well as the social disruptions that can occur in a child’s life as a result. Ng-Benitez’s accompanying illustrations do not follow a sole child who overcomes a fear of pooping. Instead, pictures show diverse children at different stages of holding, then confronting and overcoming their fear.

Sure to help kids with this bummer of a problem, and their caregivers, too. (Picture book. 2-5)

Kirkus Reviews