I'm Not Pooping

by Tanya Harvey, Sara LeBlanc (Illustrator)

Overview

Kate does NOT want to poop! I'm Not Pooping takes families on an emotional potty journey with Kate - a spicey little girl who faces her fears and learns to let her poop out.

Young readers will find themselves laughing and empathizing as Kate navigates the uncomfortable situations that come from withholding poop. Her mom and sister encourage her to listen to her body, but it isn't until she hears the poop calling for help that she takes action.

Through reassuring rhymes and vibrant illustrations, children will discover the importance of paying attention to their bodies and that overcoming the nervous feelings around pooping is possible. With a deep breath and newfound courage, Kate learns that pooping is not only safe-it can also be fun!

Filled with empathy, humor, and practical tips, "I'm Not Pooping" is a relatable and engaging story designed to support children who are hesitant about using the potty. It also equips parents and caregivers with compassionate tools to tackle the common challenge of poop withholding.

Inspired by the author's journey to help her daughter, this heartfelt tale aims to make your child's potty training experience smoother and more enjoyable than hers was.

Join Kate as she rescues the poop and transforms potty time into a poop celebration!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781069140302
Publisher:	Newtown Station Press
Publication date:	11/05/2024
Pages:	26
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.07(d)
Age Range:	1 - 6 Years

Editorial Reviews

02/17/2025

Harvey takes on a sticky—but important—childhood topic in this frank, helpful, and surprisingly entertaining picture book debut. Young Kate, smack dab in the middle of potty training, has a problem: she does not want to poop, even when her body sends out the signal that she needs to. Instead, she wants to play and hang out with her sister, though that causes some issues, since Kate’s gas gets in the way of their fun. “Just take a poop break,” her sister Reese encourages when Kate’s tummy troubles interfere. But Kate absolutely refuses—until her mom has the big idea that takes potty time from failure to fun. The subject of this picture book may feel unconventional, but Harvey highlights a natural bodily function that all young readers can relate to. The storyline is delivered alongside comical graphics that will put kids at ease immediately and offer plenty of opportunities for lighthearted laughter in the midst of what can be a serious—and sometimes scary—experience for little ones. As Kate insists to her family that she’s “not pooping!”, her mom and sister gently nudge her in the right direction by cleverly pointing out Kate’s poop is “stuck in bum… and having no fun,” a realization that jumpstarts Kate’s mission to “rescue the poop”—accompanied by funny visuals of a strangely adorable poop delighted to be set free.

This story’s happy ending will infuse kids with confidence that they, too, can successfully conquer the new tasks that come with growing up—and adult readers will appreciate how Harvey sets up that crucial lesson. By the end, Kate is ready to “listen to my body,” and her pride at overcoming potty time anxiety is sweet to behold. This is an upbeat, supportive intervention for little ones who may be struggling with toilet training.

Takeaway: Lively tale of toilet training made fun and easy.

Comparable Titles: Plum Coconut’s Poopasaurus, Tracey J. Vessillo’s I Can’t, I Won’t, No Way!.

Production grades Cover: A- Design and typography: A Illustrations: A Editing: A- Marketing copy: A

BookLife Reviews

2025-01-20
Harvey's rhyming picture book looks at what happens when a kid simply refuses to poop.

Siblings Kate and Reese are having fun, but when a certain smell wafts from Kate’s direction, Reese asks if she needs a bathroom break. “I’m not pooping!” Kate shouts, insisting she just wants to play. Mom suggests that a bathroom visit would be a good choice, but Kate says no. (All characters are portrayed with pale skin.) Even when Mom says the toilet is where poop can play, Kate refuses—until everyone hears a cry from inside Kate’s body: “I’m stuck in this bum! I’m trapped in here and having no fun.” After she uses the toilet, the poop thanks Kate for its freedom and waves as it’s flushed away. Kate washes her hands, vowing to listen to her body next time (with one last fart joke). Leblanc's cartoon-style art is notably sparse, featuring simple line drawings, no backgrounds, and splashes of color for hair and clothes (and poop). For kids refusing to stop and take necessary breaks, this may be the story they need. However, portraying waste as sentient and imprisoned inside one’s body may unsettle some. Ultimately, like a lot of toilet-centered books, readers will be split between finding the material funny or a bit gross.

A serviceable tale of good bathroom habits.

Kirkus Reviews