Potty Books by Dawn Babb Prochovnic and Jacob Souva
I'm so excited to share that I've been invited to present a humorous, potty-themed story time at BOLD Coffee and Books on Small Business Saturday (Nov 29 at 11 AM) this year! I LOVE the opportunities for silliness and laughter this theme affords--and what better day to share this news than today, WORLD TOILET DAY.
But wait, isn't WORLD TOILET DAY serious business? It sure is. According to UN-Water (the UN's coordination mechanism on water and sanitation), World Toilet Day, originated by the World Toilet Organization and observed November 19 each year, "is about inspiring action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and reach the 3.4 billion people still living without safely managed sanitation." This year's theme is "Sanitation in a Changing World," with the tagline, "We'll always need the toilet.
You can find educational and promotional materials for this year's observance of World Toilet Day on the UN-Water website. A few years back I did a comprehensive round-up of World Toilet Day resources, including other organizations who are working hard to address global water sanitation issues.
I've also previously written about some of my misgivings about writing silly books in a such a serious world (you can find those earlier posts here and here). In the end, I've come to embrace the importance of humor, especially in children's books, even in (especially in) these trying times. Igniting a child's desire to read is serious business, and kids like funny books.
So I lean into goofiness when I share my potty-humor books with young readers. For the Cowgirl Pirate Potty Party at BOLD Coffee & Books on Small Business Saturday, we'll read my silly stories, Where Does a Pirate Go Potty? and Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty? (both illustrated by Jacob Souva); learn some fun potty puns; shake our booties in a playful potty dance; and flush my beloved audible toy toilet. I will of course encourage participants to purchase autographed books to help support the intent of Small Business Saturday and the indie bookstore that's hosting me, and I'm encouraging donations of packaged underwear and diapers to help folks in our community while we gather together and laugh until we wet our pants!
(If you want a full run-down of ideas for your own potty-themed story time, you can find a lesson plan here, complete with silly songs, dances, sign language, and book pairings. You can find links to MANY other resources here (you definitely don't want to miss what I've included on my potty-humor-themed Pinterest page!)
See you on the silly side!
********
The Writing Life is an occasional feature of Dawn Babb Prochovnic's blog. Dawn is the author of over 20 books for young readers and the proud recipient of the esteemed “Pleasure Reading Award” (her most memorable 5th grade achievement). She has devoted her life’s work to initiatives that support literacy and the literary arts, including early literacy enrichment programs; school author visits; writing workshops; and her educational blog. Dawn’s work has been short-listed for the Oregon Book Award; she was named an Oregon Library Supporter of the Year for her library advocacy efforts; and she received the Walt Morey Award in recognition of significant contributions that have enriched Oregon’s young readers. Contact Dawn using the form at the left, or learn more at www.dawnprochovnic.com.
WRAD 2024 is officially a Wrap! (Well for me at least ... I did my WRAD visits one day early this year!)
World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) is a special literacy event that takes place around the globe on the first Wednesday in February each year. It's hosted by LitWorld, and originally founded by Pam Allyn. For the past several years, author Kate Messner creates a space on her website where teachers and librarians can connect with authors and illustrators who are willing to volunteer to offer free virtual book readings to children around the world. It's one of my favorite book-related events to participate in.
For the past couple of years, I've used a Sign-Up Genius to help me coordinate my virtual visits. I also now have a Google Form for folks who want to be among the first to find out when the scheduling tool is available for next year.
This year I scheduled visits with eight schools. Even with excellent coordination, it's not unusual that one or more of the schools needs to cancel at the last minute due to weather-related school closures or some other scheduling or technical snafu. Also, some schools that hope to meet with me are unable to match their scheduling needs with my available times, and/or my schedule is full by the time they reach out, or there are members of the learning community who were absent on World Read Aloud Day.
For these schools (and now for you!) I compile some of my best resources as a stand-in for a real-time virtual author visit. These resources are of course not quite the same as real-time virtual visit, (or a full-length, personalized author visit), but they do allow young readers to connect with an author in some fashion, in honor of World Read Aloud Day. Please feel welcome to explore and share these resources with your learning community:
***
Here is a link to a “Hello” slide deck that I shared with the schools/classrooms that I visited.
It’s not the same as a real virtual visit, but it will allow your students to connect with me for World Read Aloud Day in some fashion. (The “speaker notes” below each slide provide my general talking points and related resource links.)
I also have a couple of different “virtual-virtual,” or “self-guided” author visits via Google Slides that you/your students can peruse (the “speaker notes” below each slide provides the talking points I would typically deliver during a school visit):
Write On! Why Writing is (Possibly) the Most Important Thing You’ll Ever Do
From "Ahoy, Matey! to “Howdy, Pardner!” How to Create Vivid Characters by Giving Each a Unique Voice
Please reach out to me directly and I would be more than happy to provide links to these virtual visits.
Once a school or classroom has interacted with one of my books, (via the video story times, and/or virtual workshops on Google Slides on your own), I would be more than happy to respond to written questions from students. How this typically works is that the librarian or classroom teacher assigns a “post visit” writing lesson for the students where they each ask me a question (about my books, or my writing process, or my “office assistant, Pickle, etc.), and then you would deliver the full set of questions to me via postal mail or email (in one batched email from you vs. individual emails from students). After I receive the questions, I will reply to the students with a compilation response that I will deliver to you. Here is a link to some examples of my responses from my interactions with other schools.
I hope these options are helpful resources. Please feel welcome and encouraged to share them with your families and your colleagues, and please let me know if I can be a resource to you in any other way.
Warm wishes,
Dawn
Author Dawn Babb Prochovnic holding her three latest books
Reach out via email, social media channels such as Instagram, Bluesky, Twitter/X, or my Facebook fan page, or through my contact form (at the left of this post on the desktop version), if you'd like to schedule a time for me to meet with your students in the future!
WRAD 2022 is officially a Wrap! World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) is a special literacy event that takes place around the globe on the first Wednesday in February each year. It's hosted by LitWorld, and originally founded by Pam Allyn. For the past several years, author Kate Messner creates a space on her website where teachers and librarians can connect with authors and illustrators who are willing to volunteer to offer free virtual book readings to children around the world. It's one of my favorite book-related events to participate in.
This year I created a Sign-Up Genius to help me coordinate my virtual visits, and it worked great. I will definitely use a tool like this again in the future. I visited nine schools, including one school in Japan (thanks to a friend from high school who teaches math at a school overseas reaching out to see if I'd be interested in meeting with her school community)!
Even with excellent coordination, it's not unusual that one or more of the schools that have signed up to meet with me needs to cancel at the last minute due to weather-related school closures. Also, some schools that hope to meet with me are unable to match their scheduling needs with my available times and/or my schedule is full by the time they reach out.
For these schools (and now for you!) I compile some of my best resources as a stand-in for a real-time virtual author visit. These resources are of course not quite the same as real-time virtual visit, (or a full-length, personalized author visit), but they do allow young readers to connect with an author in honor of World Read Aloud Day, in some fashion. Here is the content of the email with resource links that I sent to schools this year. Please feel welcome to explore and share with your learning community:
***
Hello friends!
I’m so sorry that I was not able to read with your students as hoped during World Read Aloud Day.
As promised, here is a link to a “Hello” slide deck that I shared with the schools/classrooms that I visited.
It’s not the same as a real virtual visit, but it will allow your students to connect with me for World Read Aloud Day in some fashion. (The “speaker notes” below each slide provide my general talking points and related resource links.)
I also have a couple of different “virtual-virtual,” or “self-guided” author visits via Google Slides that you/your students can peruse (the “speaker notes” below each slide provides the talking points I would typically deliver during a school visit):
Once a school or classroom has interacted with one of my books, (via the video story times, and/or virtual workshops on Google Slides on your own), I would be more than happy to respond to written questions from students. How this typically works is that the librarian or classroom teacher assigns a “post visit” writing lesson for the students where they each ask me a question (about my books, or my writing process, or my “office assistant, Pickle, etc.), and then you would deliver the full set of questions to me via postal mail or email (in one batched email from you vs. individual emails from students). After I receive the questions, I will reply to the students with a compilation response that I will deliver to you. Here is a link to some examples of my responses from my interactions with other schools.
I hope these options are helpful resources. Please feel welcome and encouraged to share them with your families and your colleagues, and please let me know if I can be a resource to you in any other way.
Warm wishes,
Dawn
Reach out via email, Twitter, or through my contact form (at the left of this post on the desktop version), if you'd like to schedule a time for me to meet with your students in the future!
Fun Fact Alert: June is Potty Training Awareness Month!! (You get to learn cool things like this when you write potty humor books!)
Given that I have college-aged kids now, it's been quite some time since my family has ventured down the potty training path, but here's another fun fact: The idea for my book WHERE DOES A PIRATE GO POTTY? came to me when my son spoke those very words when he was a toddler.
There was one day when he was being particularly silly, running through the house with a diaper on his bottom, a bandana on his head, and a pirate’s patch over one eye. He looked at me with an ornery twinkle in his uncovered eye, and asked in his best, pirate-y gruff toddler voice, “Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?” I knew immediately that this was the title for a book, and I started drafting a manuscript soon after. As you may know from my "path to publication story" for my potty books, it took many years and many revisions to get this story just right, but what I continue to love about it is that each time I read it, I am instantly transported back to that memorable moment shared with my son, when he first posed that silly question to me.
If you are in the throes of potty training right now, (or if you know of someone who is) might I suggest that a sense of humor goes a long way to making the process bearable! Reading books like WHERE DOES A PIRATE GO POTTY? and the companion book WHERE DOES A COWGIRL GO POTTY? is one way to keep things light. I also recommend novelty items such as the toy toilet pictured in the image above that audibly flushes. I bring it to author visits and other book events, and it makes me laugh EVERY time someone flushes it. (You can find loads of other potty-themed novelty items that I’ve curated, including a downloadable flushing sound loop and a dancing poo emoji, by visiting me on Pinterest.)
If you really want to get down to business and you’re looking for some potty training experts, and/or some support products to make the process easier, here are some of the "potty people" I follow on Instagram: @pottytrainingconsultant, @thepottyfairy, @pottyology, @pottyriderinfo, @peekaboopottysticker, and @peapodmats. (Feel free to tag other resources I/others should be aware of in the comments below.)
One of my favorite parts of authoring books is the opportunity to meet new people. Some folks I've met in person, and others I've only "met" online or through other remote communication channels. Some of the people I've met and become friends with are "potty people" (or "cowgirl people" or "pirate people") as evidenced by this darling photo.
Many of the folks I've met are "writing people." Tina Cho falls into that category. I first got to know Tina because I started following the blog she writes with a team of other members of the kidlit community. I've read and followed several writing-related blogs over the years, and the Grog Blog has consistently been amongst the most helpful and informative.
It is with great pleasure that today, I can give back to a writing community that I've learned so much from. I hope you will hop on over to the Grog Blog and read some of the great articles they have posted ... including mine, today!
(Pssst, I had so many tips to share, I couldn't fit them into one post. I'm aiming to post a follow-up article on the same topic next month. I'll add a link to it here when it's available.)
Yesterday, I got to hug Jennifer Newens, the person who said, "Yes," to my books. She leads the amazing team at West Margin Press that made them so beautiful.
I also got to hug Angela Zbornik, the creative wizard, clever wordsmith, and fellow punster (aka Marketing Manager) at West Margin Press. She heads up the team that will help my books find their readers. Angie introduced me to Rob Pine, with Ingram, who shares my sense of humor and said so many nice things about my books. I left my conversation with him feeling certain that booksellers (and through them, readers) will have every opportunity to join the potty humor party!
Earlier in the day I was able to attend a series of educational sessions, meet some wonderful booksellers, and celebrate other authors who are welcoming their new books into the world alongside mine:
Today I find myself reflecting on all the people behind the scenes of every book that is made. For example: editor Michelle McCann (who is bringing one of her own books into the world this week); editor, Olivia Ngai; designer, Rachel Lopez Metzger; and illustrator, Jacob Souva. My books simply would not "be" without them. Likewise, my books were helped along the way by my critique group (thanks, Sara and Claire!), and the SCBWI International, SCBWI-Oregon, and Portland KidLit communities. And my husband, who is my biggest fan, and who works in a traditional career job that pays the bills and provides the health insurance.
I'm also reflecting on the many folks who have helped me get the word out about the books: Family members, friends in my local neighborhood, indie booksellers, school and public librarians, teachers who have taught my kids (and invited me to teach theirs), and so many kind and enthusiastic fellow authors and book bloggers who have visited my blog to share their stories and hosted me on my blog to share mine (more on this in a future post). And the musicians ... the wonderful musicians ... Annie Lynn/AnnieBirdd Music, LLC and Marshall Mitchell who brought the music to these wonderful book trailers that Jacob Souva designed and animated:
Over the next few weeks and months, I will have several launch events and activities at various locations. Thank you in advance to all who have attended past events, and to those who will attend upcoming events. I appreciate you beyond what words can convey.
Later this month, I will begin working on the editorial process for my next book (that comes out in Spring, 2021 ... refer to my earlier sentence above: "The path to publication can be long and winding." )
But today, I'll be plunging into the fun that is potty humor. Yee-Haw!
Since one of my latest books has a young pirate for a main character, it seemed logical to plan a pirate-themed story time event on International Talk Like a Pirate Day (celebrated on September 19th each year).
Green Bean Books in Portland, Oregon was kind enough to open their doors and welcome me to their beautiful, covered, back patio for a Pirate Party. It was a marrrrvelous time!
I thought it would be fun and helpful to share my activity plan and some photos of the event for folks who intend to host a Talk Like a Pirate Day event and/or pirate-themed program anytime in the future. Here goes:
International Talk Like a Pirate Day Story Time Lesson Plan (and Pirate Party Event Plan)
by Dawn Babb Prochovnic
Props/Supplies:
Pirate Name Generator (see below)
Name Tags
Picture Book: Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?
iPad or Other Device to Play Book Trailer for Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?
Paper or Newsprint and Tape to Make Pirate Hats
Props for Photo Booth/Selfie Station, Optional
Costumes, Decorations, and Refreshments, as Desired Decorations and Costumes
*Since this was a Pirate Party in addition to being a pirate-themed story time, I wore a costume and decorated the display table in the story time area:
*The Hannah Anderson store happened to have a promotional offering on pirate gear around the time I was planning this event, so I purchased a children's pirate hat (that happily fit!) from them. My local party store, The Lippman Co., had a good supply of pirate-y items, as I'm sure most party stores do. I got a couple of skull and cross bone bandanas to "pirate-tize" my standard white tablecloth, some pirate flags (which I of course displayed in a roll of TP), and a package of props for a pirate-y photo booth (see below). I also displayed some of my bookmarks (designed by illustrator, Jacob Souva) and some stickers with the image of our book cover (that I purchased through Sticker Mule -- Sticker Mule is GREAT, by the way...highly recommended), and I set out individual packages of Pirates Booty purchased at Target (which was available in their Halloween section, and happened to be on sale for a great price). My Pinterest page has lots of other ideas for decorations and themed refreshments for those who want to go all out!
Welcome, Ice Breaker, and Introductions *I put several copies of the Pirate Name Generator for Where Does a Pirate Go Potty? (see below) into protective plastic covers. As participants arrived, I encouraged them to create their Pirate Name. If you typically use name tags in your programming, you could add pirate names to the name tags.
NOTE: Definitely allow participants the freedom to create a different name combination or even to make up their own pirate name, if they don't like the name generated by the Pirate Name Generator.
NOTE: If you have difficulty accessing the image file for the Pirate Name Generator, you can access a printable document here. You are welcome to re-print this resource for use in your programs, but I do request that you retain the credits, as listed.
*Read the story using varied voices for different characters.
NOTE: I use a fairly normal voice for the pirate character, and I alternate between a higher voice and a lower voice for the Razor Clam and Sea Lion. I use a gruff voice for the Rock Crab, and a very high-pitched voice for the Pelican. I go back to a moderately high voice for the Octopus, a low voice for the Gray Whale, and I use a gruff voice for the Deck Hands. I mention these details in case it's helpful to have a ready-to-go "voice map" in place, but definitely feel encouraged to make up your own silly voices without regard to any of these notes.
*As you can see, I really like to get into character!
*For example, "Have you ever needed to use the potty, but you had to wait for the right time or place? What was the situation? How did it turn out?"
NOTE: A detailed Study Guide that includes a variety of discussion questions and curriculum-aligned activities will soon be available for this book. The guide will be available at this link: https://www.westmarginpress.com/study-guides/
Sing Along to the Where Does a Pirate Go Potty? Song
*The song is available on YouTube, via the book trailer:
*Since my earlier books incorporate American Sign Language, it's second nature for me to add a little ASL enrichment into most of my programs. If you want to ramp up the enrichment aspect of your Pirate-Themed Story Time, introduce a few signs to go along with the above Pirate song, as noted in the Sign Language Sign-Along Lesson Plan. If you decide to do this, you will want to introduce the signs to participants and give them an opportunity to practice the signs a few times before you play the song. You may even want to replay the song a couple of different times so participants get to practice and gain a sense of mastery of the selected signs. Three logical signs to incorporate into this song include:
Note: The sign for potty/toilet (the noun) and the sign for "to use" the potty/toilet (the verb) are the same.
*I use the signs for "Where" and "Potty/Toilet" in the first part of the song, and I use the sign for "Pirate" near the end of the song. I also add the signs for "No," "Oh," and "Not," which are described in the Sign Language Sign-Along Lesson Plan.
Tell Some Pirate Jokes and/or Facilitate a Pirate Glossary Q and A
*I incorporated the Pirate Jokes and Pirate Glossary compiled by Amber Creger on the Monroe County Library System's Wiki. One of my favorite jokes from the list is:
"What is a pirates favorite kind of cookie?
Ships Ahoy!" Arrr. Arrr. Arrr. Arrrr!
Additional Learning Extensions:
1. Read More Books!
*Since this particular event was a book launch celebration, I focused on just this one book (plus gave brief mention to the companion book, Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty?) For other pirate-themed events, there are many fun pirate books to consider. You can find lots of additional ideas by exploring the "Pirate-Themed Lesson Plans/Event Plans/Resources" linked from this page (after you follow the link, you'll need to scroll down about 1/3 of the way into the post for these resources). 2. Facilitate a Readers' Theatre
*Resources for a Readers' Theatre, including a script, will be available in the previously mentioned study guide that will soon be available at this link: https://www.westmarginpress.com/study-guides/. If you need the script before the study guide is available, please contact Dawn directly via a comment below, a DM on social media, or via the contact form on the left side of the blog, and I will share it with you directly.
3. Sing Another Pirate Song, or a Potty Song, or Both!
*Pirate Song: Sing to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It"
If you're a pirate and you know it, shout, "Ahoy!"
If you're a pirate and you know it, shout, "Ahoy!"
If you're a pirate and you know it, shout, "Ahoy!" and really show it.
If you're a pirate and you know it, shout, "Ahoy!"
Additional Verses: swab the deck... say, "heave-ho" ... say "avast!" ...
You hold your bladder (belly) left.
You hold your bladder (belly) right.
You wrap your arms like this, and you hold on super tight.
You need to find a potty or you’re gonna wet your pants.
You’re doing the potty dance.
You cross your right foot left.
You cross your left foot right.
You squeeze your knees like this, and you hold on super tight.
You need to find a potty or you’re gonna wet your pants.
You’re doing the potty dance.
You search in this place left.
You search in this place right.
You hoot and hop like this, and you hold on super tight.
You need to find a potty or you’re gonna wet your pants.
You’re doing the potty dance.
*This song is really fun to share with a group. It was giggles all around. I highly encourage it!
*I encouraged participants to write their Pirate Name (from the icebreaker) on their hats. (It's a great way to sneak in a little bit of writing practice. Yarrr!)
5. Encourage Extending the Learning to the Home Environment
*You can find a variety of pirate-y craft ideas here. I displayed my "Banana Pirate" sample and encouraged participants to try making their own "Banana Pirate" at home.
Just for Fun
Have a Pirate Photo Booth/Selfie Station
* As noted above, I purchased a set of pirate-themed photo booth props, and set up an area where participants could take pictures or selfies. I didn't happen to get any pictures of this part of the event, but I'm hoping some of the people who took pictures will send them to me. If they do, I'll add them here later.
Here are the photo props (displayed in a roll of toilet paper, of course!)
Silly Books Can Help Solve Serious Problems
*Although Where Does a Pirate Go Potty? is ridiculously silly, I try to incorporate an opportunity for participants to learn about and/or support more serious issues into most of my events. For example, at a school/author visit, I might talk about World Toilet Day, which aims to raise awareness about the need for universal access to safe toilets. When an event is held at a book store, it's my hope that folks will purchase books, which helps the independent bookstore remain a viable business in the local economy. I also like to use my voice to bring awareness about local non-profit organizations that support reading and literacy. For this reason, I put out a small basket to collect books for the Children's Book Bank (which provides books to local children who need books of their own at home--it's the organization I supported for my 50th birthday... a few years ago!) Of course I'm hopeful participants will support my work and purchase one of my books, but I'm also more than happy to accept donations of any books that are purchased at the store during my visit.
Time for Fond Farewells
*Avast! Before you know it, the mother ship is ready to set sail for home ... so it's time to wrap up. I encouraged everyone to take a package of Pirate's Booty to go, and asked that they share one pirate-y word with me as they walked the plank to head back home.
Thanks to everyone who attended this fun event and to the wonderful folks at Green Bean Books who make me feel so welcome and supported each and every time I visit their store!
Here's me, back at home, after a MIGHTY fun afternoon. Yarrr!
Given the titles of my books, I fully anticipate they will appeal to folks in the potty-training age and stage, but they're more accurately categorized as potty-humor books, vs. potty-training books. They are geared for young readers ages 3-8, though I suspect they will bring out the inner-comedian in potty humorists of all ages. Case in point: here is one of the funny photos I received from author, Stephanie Shaw, soon after she received her books via pre-order:
The caption Stephanie sent along with this photo: "It's not a strain to love these new books." Bah-ha-ha!!! That cracks me up!
Leaning into the humorous aspects of these books, over the past couple of months, I had the unique opportunity to work with two different musicians to create a catchy children’s song for each book. I couldn’t be more pleased with how the songs turned out!
Kids of all ages love to sing and sign AND they love to laugh. Singing and signing along with these silly songs creates a perfect opportunity to incorporate all three of these fun activities.
You can read the story of how Annie and I met and developed a friendship on Tara Lazar's blog.
Annie licenses her curriculum-based songs for schools, homeschoolers, choirs, radio, TV, etc. More recently, she has started working with members of the kidlit community to bring children’s literature to life through music. She creates theme songs and karaoke-style sing-along songs that authors can use for school visits, and she creates custom songs for book trailers, like the song she created for the Where Does a Pirate Go Potty? book trailer, which was delightfully animated by illustrator, Jacob Souva:
I’ve provided the song lyrics for Where Does a Pirate Go Potty? below, noting in bold some of the words you might consider signing along with. TIP: Don’t feel pressured to sign more words than you are comfortable with. It’s perfectly okay to start by signing only one or two key words, (for example, where or potty) that repeat throughout the song. As your sign language vocabulary (and your confidence) develops and grows, you can add more signs each time you sing. Rest assured, kids are likely to ask you to repeat the song again and again!
Here are the lyrics:
Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?
Lyrics by Dawn Prochovnic
Music written and performed by AnnieBirdd Music, LLC, with Annie Lynn, Walt Wilczewski, and Chris Arms, and starring Red Beard The Pirate, a.k.a. Alexander Wilczewski
(These waves are makin’ me a wee bit uncomfortable!)
Where does a pirate go potty?
Explorin’ from shoreline to sea.
Where does a pirate go potty?
The pirate who’s wonderin’ is me!
In the sand?
No!
In a cave?
Oh!
In a tidepool?
That’s NOT a good spot!
Off a pier?
No!
Bottoms up!
Oh!
Past the lighthouse?
Definitely not!
Where does a pirate go potty?
Blimey, I’m ready to burst!
Where does a pirate go potty?
Waitin’ too long is the worst!
Where does a pirate go potty?
Explorin’ from shoreline to sea.
Where does a pirate go potty?
The pirate who’s wonderin’ is me!
Avast, me hearties!
The pirate whose wonderin’ is me!
Here are links to some reputable video-based resources for the selected ASL vocabulary words, along with some brief reminder notes to help jog your memory as you are learning the signs:
Note: The sign for potty/toilet (the noun) and the sign for "to use" the potty/toilet (the verb) are the same.
As I mentioned above, I worked with Annie Lynn of AnnieBirdd Music, LLC for the Where Does a Pirate Go Potty? song. Annie Lynn has many award-winning songs about more serious topics such as anti-bullying and STEM-related topics such as the climate crisis. You can learn more about Annie and her work here. If you’re interested in hearing more of Annie Lynn’s music, purchasing and/or licensing her music for personal and/or professional use, or collaborating with Annie to create music for your own creative/educational projects, find out more here.
Pssst....if you live in the Portland, Oregon area, I'll be doing a special Pirate Party story time at Green Bean Books at 3:30 pm on Thursday, September 19, 2019 to celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day. I'd love to see you there!
Last but not least, if you're looking for other pirate-themed (and cowgirl and potty-themed) lesson plans and resources, click here, and if you'd like me to visit your bookstore, library, school, or learning community, get in touch via the contact form at the left, or by leaving a comment below or on social media.
But … I have yet to merge the sign language and potty themes together! This post is the maiden voyage for this merger. It’s a mash-up of many different activities you could incorporate into your own potty-themed story time or event. It’s unlikely you will be able to fit all of these activities into any one event, but this way you’ll have lots of ideas to choose from in one handy place.
So let’s get rollin’ (pardon the pun) on this lesson plan:
Potty-Themed Sign Language Story Time:
Welcome Participants, Introduce the Theme, & Introduce the Signs in Preparation for Song #1
NOTE: The sign for potty/toilet (the noun) and the sign for to use the potty/toilet (the verb) are the same.
Sing and Sign Song #1:
Invite all participants to sign potty and dance each time these words repeat in the song, OR break the group in half, and have one side of the room sign potty and the other side of the room sign dance each time these words repeat in the song.
Song #1: The Potty Dance (Sung to the Tune of The Hokey Pokey) by Dawn Babb Prochovnic (inspired by songs from Tinkle, Tinkle, Little Tot by Bruce Lansky and Catherine Blake)
You hold your bladder (belly) left.
You hold your bladder (belly) right.
You wrap your arms like this, and you hold on super tight.
You need to find a potty or you’re gonna wet your pants.
You’re doing the potty dance.
You cross your right foot left.
You cross your left foot right.
You squeeze your knees like this, and you hold on super tight.
You need to find a potty or you’re gonna wet your pants.
You’re doing the potty dance.
You search in this place left.
You search in this place right.
You hoot and hop like this, and you hold on super tight.
You need to find a potty or you’re gonna wet your pants.
You’re doing the potty dance.
Introduce/Review Signs in Preparation for Story #1:
Invite all participants to sign where, potty, and pirate each time these words appear in the story, OR break the group into thirds, and assign one section of the room to sign where, potty, and pirate respectively, each time these words appear in the story.
Invite all participants to make the sounds that appear on every other page of the book.
Introduce/Review Signs in Preparation for Song #2:
Invite all participants to sign as many of the words they can (poop, toilet, where, hooray, flush and wash) as they appear in the song. Note: If adding all of the noted signs feels overwhelming to you/your participants, just choose a few of the signs to incorporate.
Song #2: I Can Poop in the Toilet (Sung to the Tune of Take Me Out to the Ballgame)
by Dawn Babb Prochovnic (inspired by songs from Tinkle, Tinkle, Little Tot by Bruce Lansky and Catherine Blake)
I can poop in the toilet.
I can poop in the pot.
Just need to find it, I hope it’s near.
Where is that toilet? Hooray, it’s here!
Ahhhhhhhh. (or farting sound)
So I’ll flush, flush, flush, when I’m finished.
Wash up with soap when I’m done.
I pooped once, twice, three times today.
It was so much fun!
Introduce/Review Signs in Preparation for Story #2:
Invite all participants to sign where, potty, and cowgirl each time these words appear in the story, OR break the group into thirds, and assign one section of the room to sign where, potty, and cowgirl respectively, each time these words appear in the story.
Invite all participants to make the sounds that appear on every other page of the book.
Let ‘er Loose with a Potty Party (or a Bathroom Boogie)
Turn on some music and dance.
My personal favorites (Full disclosure: I'm definitely biased!)
Extension Activities (Some of Which Can Be Self-Directed/Open-Ended)
TP Tower Challenge**
Supplies: A couple dozen rolls of toilet paper (if you use toilet paper with the wrapper still intact, it will last for multiple events, or it can be donated to a local charity after the event).
Option #1: Use one set of TP. Take turns seeing who can make the highest stack before the TP tower falls.
Option #2: Use two sets of TP. Two participants play at a time. Have a volunteer time participants to see who can stack all the rolls the fastest without the TP Tower falling.
Option #3: Stack the rolls of TP into a pyramid shape. Place an object such as a stuffed animal or stuffed poo emoji on top of the pyramid. Participants take turns tossing a bean bag or similar object toward the tower. Object is to dislodge the stuffed animal/poo emoji without knocking down any of the rolls of TP.
Option #4: Allow free play “block building” with the rolls of TP.
An Enthusiastic "TP Tower" Participant at a 2019 Event at the West Slope Library
Undie Fling**
Supplies/Prep: Several pairs of (unworn!) tighty-whitey underwear; Two small baskets or bowls--one to hold the underwear that is going to be “flung,” and one positioned across the room for the target to fling/snap the undies into; Colored tape put on the floor to mark the location for the basket that’s the target and several other pieces of tape at increasing distances to mark the places from which the flinging/snapping should take place--the closest line should be about 4’ away from the target, and each subsequent line should be about 2’ additional feet away.
Activity: Participants take turns flinging/snapping undies into the basket.
Turd Toss** (Yes, that IS a gross name...this is a potty-humor post)
Supplies: Use colored tape to mark the floor to indicate where tossing to and from should take place. For “turds” use brown bean bags, stuffed poo emoji’s, or create your own. To create your own, scrunch up newspaper, cover it with wrinkled brown construction paper, and wrap with packing tape--the end result is durable, but squishy (ewww!). These can be created ahead of time, or participants create as an activity. For “toilets” go simple and just use baskets or bowls similar to the activity above, or go all out and create a toilet contraption using a round waste basket, toilet seat, white duct tape, and poster paper or white laundry basket, foam core, white poster paper, and duct tape. If you go the “all out” route, creating the toilet(s) could be an activity, or “toilets” could be made ahead of time. Here are links to some examples.
Option #1: Participants take turns tossing “turds” into “toilet” from a specified line. Try five tosses, before your turn ends.
Option #2: Two or more participants race to see who can get all of their “turds” into the “toilet” first (or who can get the most “turds” into the “toilet” before a timer rings.
Supplies: Draw a toilet on white poster board. Make or buy poo emojis or poo emoji stickers. Use bandanas (which ties in to cowgirl story’s them) or double pirate patches (which ties into pirate story’s theme) for blindfolds.
Activity: Participants take turns being blind-folded and pinning (actually taping or sticking) the poo on the potty. An example is here.
TP Roll Race
Supplies: Rolls of toilet paper. Tape to mark starting point and finish line.
Activity: Participants get on their hands and knees and race by pushing their TP roll with their nose from the starting point to the finish line. An example is here.
TP Bowling
Supplies: 15 rolls of TP and one ball for every bowling alley.
Activity: Set up TP as a pyramid shape (vs. standard bowling pin set up), with five rolls of TP as the base. Take turns rolling the ball and knocking down the TP. The player who last rolled the ball resets the TP pyramid for the next participant.
Pirate, Pirate, Potty! (Played like Duck, Duck, Goose!)
Activity: All but one player (the “pirate” who is “It”) sit in a circle. The “pirate” goes around the circle and gently taps each player on the shoulder saying “Pirate” each time, until he or she decides to say “Potty!” The person who is tapped for “Potty” must get up and try to tag the “pirate” before the pirate steals their seat. The game continues with a new “pirate” as long as interest holds. (Note: The game can likewise be played with a “cowgirl” who is “It”)
Hot Pototty (Played like Hot Potato)
Supplies: A selection of music (see above for potty-themed songs) and a small object such as a poo emoji stuffed toy or a roll of toilet paper.
Activity: Participants sit in a circle and the leader turns on the music. Participants pass the small object while the music plays. Whoever is holding the small object when the music stops is out. Play continues until there is only one participant left.
Potty Walk (Organized like a Cake Walk)
Supplies/Prep: Tape numbered pieces of paper in a circle on the floor. To stick with the theme, each piece of paper could be deemed a “toilet paper square” OR decorated with the shape of a toilet seat or poo emoji. Ideally, there will be approximately the same number of pieces of paper as there are participants for each round of play. Fill a basket or bowl (or toilet-shaped prop!) with slips of paper that match the numbers on the floor.
Activity: Participants each stand on a numbered “toilet paper square.” The leader starts the music, and participants proceed around the circle. When the leader stops the music, everyone must be standing on a square. The leader then draws a number from the bowl. The participant who is standing on that number wins a prize. Play continues as long as interest holds (or prizes last). Some ideas for silly prizes that tie into the potty theme can be found here.
Make (and/or Play With) Poo Play Dough***
Supplies: ½ cup of Nutella and ½ cup plus one tablespoon of powdered sugar per “serving.” Mix until a dough forms, then finish mixing by hand.
This play dough is technically edible, but use your judgement as to whether or not you want to encourage this!
NOTE: Per the manufacturer’s website, Nutella does not contain peanuts or peanut ingredients and is not manufactured in a facility that is at risk for peanut cross contamination.
The flushing sound it makes is amazing. You can use it as a real game, filling the bowl with water, and having participants take turns flushing the toilet to see if they will get sprayed with water, but I enjoy using it without any water in it, just for the flushing sound. You can even fill the bowl with little potty treats like this.
*Don’t feel compelled to introduce every possible potty-related word/sign you can think of. Start with a few general words that fit with the theme and are relevant for your group.
*If you plan to introduce several signs at once, it’s more fun (and easier to learn) if you introduce the signs by singing vs. simply showing the signs and asking participants to sign along/practice with you. You can sing a song such as “This is the way we sign for potty/flush/wash/all done, etc” to the tune of “Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush,” or any other familiar tune that allows for plenty of repetition.
Fun fact: Dawn loves to travel, so get in touch if you’d like her to personally present a story time program of this nature (pardon the pun) in your learning community.
Now GO! and have yourself a real good time!
..oh, one more thing… if you share photos of and/or blog about your story time / event, be sure to tag me so I can share in the fun. Even better if it’s something I can link to in my round-up of resources for my readers!
