Potty Animals: What to Know When You've Gotta Go!

"Petrone's cheery digital characters and Vestergaard's decorous yet humorous rhymes invite readers to help civilize the bathroom habits of some uncouth preschool-age animals. Each exhibits a different undesirable trait (a bear, Georgie, 'didn't like to wipe./ He got an itchy feeling/ that made him groan and gripe'), which is followed by a clear-cut rule ('Wipe every time, Georgie!'). Vestergaard's rhymes are a weak point; they can meander and even confuse as they stretch to make the meter work. Readers may well recognize and empathize with the animals' bad behavior: forgetting to use soap, public farting, not knocking before entering, and failing to flush. Petrone's wide-eyed cartoon animals capture a broad spectrum of toddler emotions, from the blissful daydreaming of Helga the duck, who holds up the line with her lollygagging, to the embarrassment of Sukey the raccoon, who, at a slumber party, awakens from a dream about 'floating down a stream' to discover 'it's not a dream' — every kid's nightmare. Ages 3 — 6. Celebrate spring with a sampling of Easter-themed books." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)