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Everyone Poops

Everyone Poops is a children's written and illustrated by Japanese author Taro Gomi, originally published in 1977 in under the title Minna Unchi by Fukuinkan Shoten. The English translation, released in 1993 by Kane/Miller Book Publishers, humorously illustrates how all living creatures—from elephants to mice and humans—defecate, using simple text and bold, colorful drawings to normalize the natural bodily function and support potty training for young children. Aimed at ages 2 and up, the book addresses a universal aspect of in an entertaining, non-shaming way, encouraging curiosity about animal habits while reassuring children that "everyone poops." Gomi, a prolific creator with over 400 books to his name, drew from his background in to craft the book's minimalist yet engaging style, which has made it a staple in . The 1993 English edition quickly became a surprise bestseller, selling over 40,000 copies within months of its October release through multiple print runs, far exceeding typical sales for imported children's titles at the time. Its enduring popularity led to a 2020 hardcover reissue by , maintaining its 36-page format and reinforcing its role as a beloved potty-training resource used in nurseries, pediatric settings, and homes worldwide. The book's straightforward approach to a taboo topic has earned praise for fostering and scientific awareness in toddlers, with high ratings from parents and educators for its humor and accessibility.

Background

Author and Illustrator

Tarō Gomi, a renowned Japanese author and illustrator, was born in Tokyo in 1945 and graduated from the Industrial Design department of Kuwazawa Design Institute, where he studied art and design. Following his education, Gomi transitioned from design work into creating picture books, establishing himself as a versatile creator whose works span various formats and audiences. Gomi has authored and illustrated over 450 books, catering to readers from infants to adults, with a focus on everyday life infused with gentle humor and relatable scenarios. His extensive bibliography includes children's picture books that simplify complex ideas through whimsical illustrations, as well as more mature titles that continue to explore ordinary human experiences. This prolific output has solidified his status as one of Japan's most successful children's book creators. Gomi's contributions have earned him significant international acclaim, including the Graphic Prize at the Children's Book Fair for his distinctive visual style and the Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award for his impact on youth literature. These honors reflect his ability to blend and across global audiences. Notably, "Everyone Poops" forms part of his "My Body Science" series, developed to address natural bodily functions in an approachable, informative way for young children, demystifying through straightforward narratives and illustrations.

Creation and Inspiration

The original Japanese title Minna Unchi, translated as Everyone Poops, was conceived by author-illustrator Tarō Gomi in the mid-1970s as a means to demystify the natural process of for young children, addressing a subject in a straightforward manner. Gomi drew inspiration from everyday observations, including a memorable visit to a on a cold winter morning where he witnessed steam rising from animal waste in the cages before cleaning, an image that vividly captured the universality of bodily functions and prompted him to create the book on his . This approach sought to normalize the topic by highlighting its commonality across all living beings, thereby reducing any sense of shame through lighthearted, factual presentation. Gomi's motivation was further shaped by his recognition of children's innate about such matters, as evidenced by their enthusiastic responses to early drafts; one even sent daily "Today's " cards for six months, affirming the book's resonance with young audiences. He aimed to counter cultural taboos by using humor and simplicity to foster openness, noting that children often viewed with fascination that adults overlooked or suppressed. A supportive female editor at the publisher championed the project despite initial resistance from others, enabling its progression. Minna Unchi marked the inaugural volume in Gomi's "My Body " series, designed to deliver educational content on in an engaging, child-friendly format that blended with whimsy. Gomi developed initial sketches based on his experience, incorporating feedback from children's reactions to refine the playful tone before its publication by Fukuinkan Shoten in 1977.

Publication History

Original Japanese Edition

The original Japanese edition of Everyone Poops, titled Minna Unchi (みんなうんち), was published in 1977 by Fukuinkan Shoten in . This 28-page book appeared in hardcover format with ISBN 4-8340-0848-7. Minna Unchi has served as an educational resource for preschoolers on bodily functions. During the 1970s and 1980s, the book gained steady popularity, becoming a common fixture in libraries and households as a toilet-training , with cumulative print runs exceeding 1 million copies as of the reflecting its enduring domestic success.

English and International Editions

The English-language edition of Everyone Poops was translated by Amanda Mayer Stinchecum and first published in as a by Kane/Miller Book Publishers in the United States, with ISBN 978-0-916291-45-7. This edition retained the original's straightforward approach to bodily functions while adapting the text for young English-speaking readers. Kane/Miller, a specialist in international , distributed it as part of their "My Body Science" series, emphasizing educational content on human . In the , the book was released under the title Everybody Poos in 2002 by Children's Books, with 0-7112-2046-8 for the version. This adaptation used phrasing to align with local audiences, maintaining the core illustrations and message of the Japanese original. focused on promoting the title through educational channels, contributing to its availability in libraries and bookstores. International translations expanded the book's reach beyond English-speaking markets. The Spanish edition, titled Todos Hacemos Caca, was published in 1997 by Kane/Miller Book Publishers, with ISBN 978-0-916291-77-8. The French version, On fait tous caca, appeared in 2015 from Nobi Nobi!, introducing the concept to French readers with culturally sensitive wording. By the 2000s, additional translations in languages such as Thai had emerged, facilitating global distribution through partnerships with regional publishers. These efforts broadened access, with editions appearing in over a dozen languages to support potty-training education worldwide. A notable reissue occurred in 2020, when released a new edition on September 1, with 978-1-79720-264-8, featuring updated formatting for contemporary printing standards and expanded retail distribution. This version preserved the original content and illustrations while enhancing durability for repeated family use, reflecting ongoing demand in the children's book market.

Content

Plot Summary

"Everyone Poops" is a 27-page that begins by illustrating variations in among animals to highlight the universality of the process. It opens with contrasting examples, such as an producing a large poop and a creating a tiny one, emphasizing differences in size based on the animal's body. The narrative progresses through depictions of various creatures, including birds, fish, camels, raccoons, snakes, and whales, showing how poop can differ in shape, color, and even location—some animals pause to defecate while others do so on the move. Human elements are introduced around page 17, featuring a in heading to a designated "special place" for elimination, which shifts the focus to human habits. The then explores stages, from infants in diapers who poop without control, to toddlers using potties, and finally to adults utilizing toilets, using comparisons like bent-kneed children versus upright adults to underscore developmental progression. The story builds toward a message of normalcy by employing opposites and relatable scenarios, such as big versus small poops or indoor versus outdoor locations, to demonstrate that elimination is a shared across and ages. It concludes with a lineup of animals reinforcing the central theme: since everyone eats, everyone poops, presented as a straightforward affirmation of biological commonality.

Illustrations and Themes

Taro Gomi's illustrations in Everyone Poops employ a bold, unembellished style that features simple, colorful depictions of animals and humans engaged in defecation, using straightforward lines and shapes to avoid graphic explicitness while maintaining clarity for young readers. This approach creates a playful, cartoonish aesthetic that emphasizes humor through exaggeration, such as contrasting the enormous poop of an elephant with the minuscule output of a mouse, thereby making the subject accessible and amusing without overwhelming detail. The visuals progress subtly from the animal kingdom—showcasing diverse species like birds, fish, and mammals—to human scenarios, highlighting the private yet routine nature of the act in everyday settings like bathrooms or outdoors. At its core, the book conveys the theme of universality in , asserting that all living beings who eat must , which serves to normalize a bodily function often surrounded by or among children. This message is reinforced through lighthearted exaggeration and direct , encouraging young audiences to view pooping as a natural, shared experience rather than something shameful, thereby fostering and curiosity about . The narrative also touches on and norms by illustrating how humans perform the act discreetly, contrasting it with animals' more open behaviors, which subtly teaches boundaries without moralizing. As part of the "My Body Science" series, Everyone Poops presents factual information about and elimination in a playful manner, blending educational content with entertaining visuals to demystify human physiology for toddlers and preschoolers. Gomi's technique prioritizes conceptual understanding over anatomical precision, using the book's whimsical progression to build comfort with the topic and promote open discussions about health and routines.

Reception

Critical Response

Upon its release in English, Everyone Poops received widespread acclaim for its straightforward approach to a subject, earning a 4.19 out of 5 rating on based on over 7,000 reviews, where readers frequently highlighted its honest depiction of bodily functions and humorous tone as valuable tools for potty training young children. Critics and parenting resources echoed this positivity; recommended the book for children ages 2 and up, praising its age-appropriate humor and effectiveness in sparking discussions about elimination without shame. Similarly, described it as a reassuring and logical introduction to the topic, noting its encouraging message that pooping is a universal experience. Parental reactions were mixed, with many appreciating the book's educational value and ability to elicit laughs during potty training sessions, while others found its explicit illustrations off-putting or "gross," though still acknowledging its utility in normalizing the subject. Media coverage further underscored its unexpected appeal, as a 1994 Los Angeles Times article detailed how the book surged to bestseller status in the United States, surprising publishers with its popularity among families seeking candid on .

Educational Impact and Cultural Significance

Everyone Poops has played a significant role in potty training by normalizing as a universal , helping to reduce children's and facilitate open discussions about and social norms. The book's straightforward illustrations and text demonstrate that pooping occurs across all , including humans, which aids parents and educators in addressing toddlers' natural curiosities without shame. For instance, it is recommended for children ages 1-3 in potty training resources, where it serves as a tool to introduce concepts of using the privately while emphasizing that the act is ordinary and necessary for . This approach supports emotional development by countering cultural taboos around bodily functions, making it easier for young children to transition to independent toileting. As a global classic in since its original 1977 Japanese publication, Everyone Poops has influenced discussions on by promoting acceptance of natural bodily processes, with notable popularity surges in the United States during the amid rising interest in candid materials. Upon its English release, the book quickly became a , appealing to both children and adults for its humorous yet informative take on a subject, and it has since sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide. Its enduring presence in home and educational settings underscores its contribution to broader societal shifts toward destigmatizing excretion, influencing subsequent works in that address with honesty and levity. The book's educational value lies in its accessible explanation of biological facts, such as digestion and elimination across diverse animals, making it suitable for integration into early childhood curricula for ages 2-6 to foster scientific curiosity and bodily awareness. By comparing human and animal habits, it teaches fundamental life science concepts, encouraging children to observe and discuss nature's universality. In recent years (2020-2025), reissues and ongoing recommendations in parenting guides have maintained its relevance, with no major film or theatrical adaptations but sustained inclusion in digital resources for child development and shame reduction. For example, a 2024 article in Science highlighted its role in de-stigmatizing poop through accurate depictions, aiding potty training and sparking interest in biology among young readers. In 2024 and 2025, the became a focal point in U.S. library controversies over book restrictions and . In , it was among titles moved to restricted areas for minors under policies targeting "sexual content," leading to a by residents and the ACLU challenging the city's actions as unconstitutional ; a court ruling in 2025 required restoration of access. Similarly, in Cleveland, Ohio, city council voted in August 2025 to retain the book in library potty-training kits despite challenges. These events highlight ongoing debates about access to educational materials on bodily functions in public libraries.

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