5 stars 140 miles north of my home is a publisher with some fantastic books. I try to bring them to you every chance I get, and today is one of those times. I am so happy to bring you All By Myself by Emile Jadoul, published by Eerdman Books for Young Readers. Every night, it’s the same. Le... more

5 stars 140 miles north of my home is a publisher with some fantastic books. I try to bring them to you every chance I get, and today is one of those times. I am so happy to bring you All By Myself by Emile Jadoul, published by Eerdman Books for Young Readers. Every night, it’s the same. Leon wakes up. He has to use the bathroom. So Leon calls to his mom: “Mommy, I need to go potty!” Leon is a young penguin who is tiring out his mother with his late night call for help. Every morning she awakes nearly as tired as when she went to sleep. Leon sometimes needs to go potty twice a night. When that happens, his daddy answers his call for help. The next morning, both mommy and daddy are tired from lack of sleep. Leon needs to learn to go potty by himself. I really like this book for young children. Learning to use the potty is hard and many books detail the struggles children have learning this essential skill. I have not seen a book about getting out of bed and going potty, all without the need of mom or dad, or anyone else. The illustrations are wonderful. The story of Leon will please young children. I think it can also encourage them to dig deep and find the courage to go potty without anyone needing anyone’s help. The surprise ending is so good children, and their parents, will roar after reading what happens with Leon. All By Myself will delight parents, who will not mind reading this charmer night after night. The story eases children into deciding they are ready to potty at night without the help of mom or dad. I like how the book uses humor to get a message across to children. They will laugh but also think about following Leon’s actions. Any parent trying to get their child to get out of bed and go potty, without waking anyone up, will love this book. The illustrations are simplistic yet cute, and they do not overpower the goal of the story. book courtesy of the publisher, Eerdman Books for Young Readers Originally reviewed at Kid Lit Reviews: http://kid-lit-reviews.com/2012/08/03/all-by-myself-by-emile-jadoul/