review
Potty training is a complicated process where a helping hand in the form of a book can be very welcome for both child and parent. Usually these books are written by children’s book authors, however, this is not the case with Hillie and Billie learning to defecate and pee. Liesbeth Geerdes and Francien Nijman are pelvic physiotherapists specialized in the treatment of children with bladder and intestinal complaints. Two stories have been incorporated in a reversal book.
The importance of toilet training for a child
It is very important for a child to be toilet trained, have bladder and bowel control. The loss of urine or feces can embarrass the child and lead to bullying from others. Problems such as urine leakage or constipation can often be prevented if children learn to sit on the toilet correctly.
Details of the book
- Title: Hillie and Billie learn to defecate and Hillie and Billie learn to pee (time book)
- Text: Liesbeth Geerdes-Klaassen and Francien Nijman-du Bois
- Illustrations: Ineke Lambec-Groeneveld
- Published by: Nederlands Paramedisch Instituut
- Year: 2004
- Pages: 23 and 25 pages
- ISBN: 90 76986 34 7
- Hard cover
- Genre: children’s book, picture book
- Price: 16.50 euros
Liesbeth Geerdes-Klaassen and Francien Nijman-du Bois, the authors
Both are specialized in the treatment of children (from the age of four) with bladder and bowel complaints. You have to think of constipation complaints, defecation in the pants, urine leakage, cystitis. If children can use an adult toilet properly, they would have to treat fewer children.
Netherlands Paramedical Institute (NPi)
The institute’s mission is to (further) professionalise physiotherapists, remedial therapists, occupational therapists and other (paramedical) healthcare professionals. The slogan has therefore been chosen for: Knowledge in motion
The content of the book
It’s a time book with two stories: Hillie and Billie learn to defecate and Hillie and Billie learn to pee. Both stories are preceded by an introduction.
Hillie and Billie learn to defecate
preface
The introduction explains that children often suffer from constipation, that one of the causes is incorrect toilet behavior and ignoring the urge to defecate. Tips are given to promote stool, these tips are also discussed in the story.
Story
Hillie and Billie are introduced, the cows are playing in the meadow. Billie doesn’t look happy, his stomach hurts, maybe he should poop? His mother tailors the toilet to make it easier to defecate. She puts down a footstool and Billie gets a toilet seat reducer. When Billie is on the toilet, he softens his stomach and butt while he waits for the poo. He breathes in slowly and whistles out and the poo rolls out. Then he wipes, from front to back. Sometimes shit won’t come, but that’s okay, Billie will just try again later. Mother is proud of him and Billie gets a kiss. Billie is happy that he now knows how to poop and the food tastes extra good.
Hillie and Billie learn to pee
preface
The introduction explains that toilet training is a complicated process that often requires little advice. If children are too big for the potty and want to urinate in the adult toilet, the toilet bowl is often too large and too high to be able to urinate correctly. Due to the wrong position, a child cannot empty enough to empty with the risks: frequent urination, wet underpants, an increased risk of cystitis in girls. In the introduction you will find tips on how to achieve a good full pee on an adult toilet bowl. As a parent, you must ensure that the toilet is equipped for the child.
Story
Hillie and Billie are in the meadow with their mother Bea. Billie is in a dent because Hillie is so funny. She looks a bit strange because she squeezes her buttocks. Hillie waited too long to go to the bathroom. She needs to urinate and quickly goes to the toilet. Hillie wants to do it quickly because she wants to play with Billie again. Hillie is too small for the adult toilet, she can hardly keep her balance. The pee does not come out on its own in this way, it has to push and that is not good. If she gets back to Billie very soon, her mother will tell her that it is not good, she will teach her children how to do it. She makes a toilet that fits small cows so they can pee better. There will be a footstool and a toilet seat reducer. Hillie learns how to wipe after urinating and Billie can choose between dripping or wiping. When Hillie and Billie have done well, they both receive a flower garland from their mother.
The text and illustrations
It’s a script. On the front of Hillie and Billie learning to defecate you see the two cups of Hillie and Billie and a picture of Billie relaxing on the toilet with a footstool and toilet seat reducer. On the front of Hillie and Billie learning to pee you also see the two cups and an image where they both stand by the toilet bowl, both have a leg on the footstool. The two cows return on the bracts, Hillie is recognizable by a purple bow, Billie by a blue cap. Both stories begin with an introduction for parents, counselors, followed by the story. The drawings are full page in beautiful bright colors. Each drawing is framed in green, blue or purple. On every right page you will find a drawing, on the page next to it the text. Above the text a picture of the two cows. The text that is read to the child is in large print, it is always two sentences that rhyme. At the bottom of the page you will find text intended for the adult. Further explanation is given here, this explanation can be passed on to the child in your own words.
Three fragments
We make a custom toilet
so that the pooping goes better
Soften your stomach and butt
while you wait for your poo
Well done mom says happy
a flower garland for both
For what age?
The book with two stories is suitable for children from about three years old.
My opinion
I heartily recommend this book. Children will learn a lot from the two stories with explanations in rhyme form, and the information intended for adults is very useful! Drawings and text complement each other perfectly. The book is written for parents with small children, but also for clinic doctors and clinic nurses, general practitioners, paediatricians (pelvic) physiotherapists and incontinence nurses.