The first chapters of the book are helpful, telling you how to begin potty training. After that, it discusses several options for different types of training. It does a good job discussing the pros and cons of each type but in the end, I was as confused and overwhelmed as I was before reading the book. I was looking for a book with a whole plan of action so that is why I say this book is just okay.

This book might be most helpful if you have a 3 or 4 year old and you are just starting the process as it states that is the age when children are logical and goal oriented. It's not really a step-by-step guide as the back cover states.

I started really urine training my daughter at 17 months (and had her doing BM on the toilet at a year). While this book had tons of information for the later trainer, there was not much at all for the younger child, other than the typical list of "readiness signs". I still give it four stars because if my daughter were maybe 3 or 4 years old, this book would be invaluable. There is lots of information on how to motivate an older child, how to deal with particular problems and temporary setbacks, etc. It does not give one definite "way" to train, but rather suggests many possible routes along the way and emphasizes that each child is different and will be more or less successful depending on the route. If you're starting at an earlier age, I'd look somewhere else. My child has all the readiness signs, but is not old enough to be motivated by "pretty panties" or "friends at preschool", nor is old enough to give me major temper tantrums or refusal to go.