Raj’s Rule (For the Bathroom at School) is that Raj does not use the bathroom at school. Funny and (enjoyably!) rhyming, this picture book follows Raj as he lists all the things he doesn’t do (basically everything fun) so that he doesn’t have to overcome his public bathroom aversion and use the one at school. But after breaking his rule, Raj realizes all that he’s been missing out on while he’s been avoiding going to the toilet (like drinking his juice and playing with friends and LAUGHING). A very cute book.

There are some picture books that exist mostly to address ~an issue~ instead of to entertain. This is one of those. And that's not BAD, but this one didn't wow me. The first half listed SO many strategies that Raj used to avoid going to the bathroom, and I'm sure it will be relatable for many kids, but I kept thinking that this could actually give other kids ideas that would only enable the problem. I wish it had touched a little more on Raj's feelings - how he felt anxious about it being a different bathroom, etc. Could have helped with encouraging children to express their worries/feelings.

A great look at school/public bathroom anxiety, something a lot of parents, kids & teachers will be able to relate to.

When I started this book it was just screaming at me SHELDON (from The Big Bang Theory) because he has this problem. Raj will not go to the bathroom at school. He has all these rules about not drinking, not being around funny people, and squeezing your knees together real tight. But the unthinkable happens and Raj breaks his own rule, and discovers what a better day can be like if he is not afraid to use the bathroom where he is at.

This is a cute little book about Raj, who doesn't like to use the bathroom at school, so he has tips on how to avoid having to go potty during the school day. However, Raj quickly finds out that school is no fun when you have to go to the bathroom so bad to where that's all you think about all day! You can't have fun with friends because you might potty in your pants. Life is so much different when you use the bathroom when you need to!

This will be a great book for kiddos who tend to be nervous or anxious. I like the gentle encouragement to try something new throughout the book and the positive consequences of the boys' bravery.

The bright and detailed illustrations are visually appealing and the rhyming verses always make reading aloud more fun for both the reader and listeners.

Funny and relatable story, the art is rich and full of diverse children enjoying their school day. Raj's Rule is made to be broken.

I received an electronic ARC from Owlkids Books through NetGalley.
Raj begins the book by sharing that he doesn't use the bathroom at school; he only goes at home. Then he explains why for much of the book. A desperate moment occurs and he discovers he can use the bathroom at school and then enjoy his whole day there.
Button tackles a common problem for young students and offers affirmation that others experience similar fears and concerns. The characters represent all types of kids so readers will find themselves somewhere in the pictures.
Great book for families to open discussion about school fears.

Poor Raj! You know this kid. Maybe you were this kid. Nobody likes school bathrooms, but Raj has made avoiding them into an art form of its own. Cute picture book addressing a problem that's much more common than you might think. My littles will love this!

Bathroom anxiety, such a tricky topic to navigate. How can we help our children feel comfortable using the washroom in different places like school, day care, the grocery store, etc.? Lana Button bring us the very cute Raj’s Rule (for the Bathroom at School) illustrated by Hatem Aly filled with the myriad of reasons a child may not be able to use the public washroom.

Many of us who have been through toilet training with little ones can understand the difficulty navigating bathroom anxiety. I really love how this story, with it’s rhyming verse and rhythmical text, acknowledges those feelings. Raj explains all of the tips he has to avoid the bathroom but inevitably Raj is forced to use the washroom. Once he does, his day opens up in front of him. He has more time to focus on playing, laughing and having fun then with trying not to use the bathroom. Perfectly publishing in August to help all of those who will be new to school to navigate the bathroom.

I really enjoy the design choice of most of the text being in speech bubbles giving the story a comic feel but also making it more evident that it is Raj who is speaking and filling us in on all the rules. Hatem Aly’s colour filled illustrations add to the humour and cadence of the story. Taking the reader from situation to situation and adding a touch of lightness to what is oftentimes a very tricky topic.

This is a really cute story about Raj who doesn’t want to pee at school.

It isn’t because he is being bullied. It isn’t because there isn’t time. It is just because he wants to only use his bathroom at home.

But as the story progresses, he gets more and more uncomfortable, until he realizes that peeing at school is not bad, and you don’t have to be uncomfortable all day.

A cute book to show that it is ok to use the school bathroom.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Raj's Rule would be a great book for primary teachers to utilize in their classrooms. It has many teaching points and examples for kids on why it is okay to stop and utilize the bathroom at school. This book was a great fit for my kindergartner. At the beginning of the school year, she didn't like to use the bathroom at school because she thought she would miss stuff. Raj's Rule utilizes a fun character that allowed her to connect with the reasons why it is okay to stop and utilize the bathroom.

Raj's Rule is such a great book. I'm surprised that I actually haven't read a similar book because the situation is so common. Raj has one rule - he can't use the bathroom at school. I know many kids that have actually gone through the same scenario. The text is easy and rhymes (always a bonus!) and the illustrations are super cute! This is such a relatable read and I would totally recommend it for little ones.

This was a quick children’s book about a young boy who does not like using the bathroom at school. It was cute, and could be a good way to teach children about using bathrooms they’re not used to.

This book makes for a great discussion with children about anxieties and taking risks. The illustrations are fantastic, and I love the diversity of the characters. The story is funny and totally relatable to kids of all ages, and I love that it's told in rhyme. I would definitely share this book with my fourth graders. Highly recommend!

"Raj's Rule" is a great addition to a preschool collection of books! You can never have enough books about adjusting to school and its infinite procedures. The illustrations are bright, simple, and child friendly. The topic is so important for some younger students to hear about. It would be a great resource for the school counselor too!

This was a great book that addresses anxiety I was going to the bathroom in public places. Raj has a very important rule to not use the bathroom at school. He has several strategies to avoid going to the bathroom. But it makes for a very dreadful and anxious day. This book makes for a great discussion with children about these anxieties.

This story follows a little boy named Raj who refuses to use the washroom at school, as a rule. He takes many steps to ensure this doesn't occur, although he does seem a bit left out and lonely. Along the way, Raj decides to try and take a risk and sees how his life changes after he does. The illustrations were great! I think this book touches upon a very common problem amongst children at school. It is a great read for students to find commonalities and to introduce a topic that can be uncomfortable to talk about. It would be very easily adapted into a classroom setting, and could be read by parents/guardians as well. Loved it!

Raj has a list of strategies so he doesn’t have to use bathroom at school: don’t drink anything, don’t spend too long washing your hands, don’t laugh too hard, and don’t move around too much. One day he accidentally breaks his rule and realizes all the fun things he’s been missing out on during school. Rhyming text helps create a rhythm that works well for reading aloud, and Raj’s sweet disposition is infectious. Bright, animated illustrations appear to be rendered in watercolor and ink. Raj is a small Indian child with wildly curly hair, and his classmates are a variety of skin colors. For kids who are nervous about using bathrooms outside of the home, this would be a good story to share and discuss.

Confession time: I did not pee in high school. At least, not in the school bathrooms. So I can relate to little Raj, who avoids the bathrooms at school with all his might. To accomplish this, he has lots of rules. He doesn't drink liquids. He stays away from water play. He doesn't engage in rough-and-tumble play on the playground. And he definitely stays away from Kyle, who makes everyone laugh. But, one day, Raj just can't hold it and finds himself using the bathroom. To his great surprise (and relief, I'm sure) he realizes just what he's been missing when he's been expending so much energy trying to hold it all day.

The story is funny and relatable, and it's told in rather decent rhyme. (The only part that tripped me up was right near the beginning when a missing line break threw me right off the beat.) The illustrations are cute, and the kids have great facial expressions. The style of some of the characters reminds me of the work of Tony Fucile.

Overall, this is a fun story about a kid who just can't hold it anymore... and what happens when he finally lets himself use that school bathroom.