Product Showcase: Potty Time

By Karyn M. Peterson -- Playthings, 3/11/2008 9:47:00 AM

This week’s Product Showcase features potty-themed products from Barron's, Corolle, Fisher-Price, Penton Overseas and Soaring Star Productions.

Girl Power

The Potty Book and DVD for Girls Deluxe Edition Gift Set ($18.99) combines an animated film with a popular storybook written by Alyssa Satin Capucilli and illustrated by Dorothy Stott. The star of both the book and the DVD is Hannah, a toddler who is graduating from diapers and learning to use the potty. The deluxe edition opens up like a book to display the DVD on one side and the book on the other. A deluxe edition set for boys, starring Henry, is also available. Barron’s Educational, Hauppauge, N.Y. www.barronseduc.com

Super Baby

The 17-inch Interactive Lia Baby Doll ($90) for ages 3 and up can help teach and reinforce potty training but is also so much more. She laughs, cries, burps and speaks phrases in four languages (English, Spanish, French and Italian)—16 different interactions in all. She comes with bib, plate, bottle, spoon, potty and three bracelets, which choose the language she speaks. Requires three AAA batteries, sold separately. Emma and Paul, somewhat simpler potty dolls that have been praised by potty-training experts, are also still available in the company’s line for $42 each. Corolle, Granstville, Md. www.corolle.com

Elmo's Encouragement

The plush and poseable interactive Potty Elmo ($10.00) encourages kids ages 18 months and up to use the potty as they play with and care for him. He comes packaged with a book, cup, removable training pants, potty and potty training tips for parents. Kids can squeeze Elmo's hand and he’ll ask for a drink, or give him his cup and he’ll ask to go potty. Elmo also sings two songs: a cute reward song when he uses the potty, and an encouraging song when he doesn't make it in time. Requires three AA batteries, sold separately. Fisher-Price, East Aurora, N.Y. www.fisher-price.com

You're Invited

Calling all kids: It’s potty time, and you’re invited! The new edition of the bestselling It’s Potty Time: Potty Training Made Easy ($7.95) for ages 2 and up, a 16-page board book for boys, has been re-illustrated by Chris Sharp and Gary Currant. This no-pressure encouraging tome features a “flushing” sound button and a progress chart, and works with special book batteries, which are included and will be replaced for free by the publisher. A version just for girls is also available, along with Spanish bilingual and African-American editions in both versions. Penton Overseas, Carlsbad, Calif. www.pentonoverseas.com

Sing & Learn

The award-winning Pocket Snails: Potty Adventure DVD ($14.95), for ages 2 and up, is a step-by-step guide to potty training and an animated adventure tale combined into one. Kids will follow along as the pocket snails guide Jake and his little sister Wendy through the transition from diapers to potty. The 30-minute DVD features an emphasis on encouragement and personal hygiene and offers original music, sing-along songs and extras like a music player and a blooper reel. A Potty Steps Map is also included in the DVD case for kids to follow along with at home. Soaring Star Productions, Surprise, Ariz. www.soaringstar.com

Retailers: If you see something you like and contact the manufacturer, please say you saw it at Playthings.com! 

Manufacturers: If you would like to be considered for the Product Showcase, please email product images (out of packaging) and descriptions to karyn.peterson@reedbusiness.com. Please include targeted age range, suggested retail price and date of availability.