ON TOP OF THE POTTY
And Other Get-Up-and-Go Songs
by Alan Katz & illustrated by David Catrow
Katz and Catrow’s fifth song collection has all the punch and visual impact of the previous works, but the duo may finally have crossed the line in terms of content. While elementary-age readers will laugh themselves senseless, adults who are attempting to potty-train toddlers may not appreciate the gross references (“People poopy / Squooshy brown”), the glib way Katz deals with setbacks (“My friend Mike / Just went poop / On his next-door-neighbor’s stoop / There’s no problem / ’Cause they know / He’s getting potty trained / And this whole week it has rained.”), or the ideas these songs may put into youngsters’ heads (“Don’t Flush Strange Things in the Potty” is the title of one of the songs). Exceptions include a great handwashing song to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” “On Top of the Potty,” which details one kid’s endless wait for something to happen and the trademark tune found in every book, “Go Do Poop in the Toilet” (“Take me Out to the Ballgame”). Several verses within songs also shine, but parents will want to carefully preview all songs before putting on a show for their little toileteers. (Picture book/songs. 2-8)