Books About Counting and Numbers- 15 Favorites
Our books about counting and numbers were selected to provide children with a wide variety of number experiences, as well as to engage them in fun and interactive read alouds. Children see numbers everywhere in the environment, and recognizing and reciting numbers is typically an early skill. But a child’s sense of what numbers mean develops gradually and comes with practice connecting numbers to real quantities of objects.
Books About Counting and Numbers: Trucks and Cars
Twenty Big Trucks in the Middle of the Street
Twenty Big Trucks in the Middle of the Street, by Mark Lee, a counting book that tells an engaging story about an ice cream truck that gets stuck in the middle of the street and causes a traffic jam involving all different kinds of trucks. Told from a young boy’s point of view, it’s his idea that resolves the problem. Clean, colorful illustrations of trucks in the pile up will be of special interest to young truck enthusiasts. (Ages 2-6)
One Big Building, A Counting Book About Construction
One Big Building, A Counting Book About Construction, by Michael Dahl, lots of different trucks involved in building a building and this counting book beautifully illustrates the jobs of each one. Number words, numerals and dots accompany each page and kids will especially enjoy hunting for the 12 hidden numbers. (Ages 4-8)
Counting Cars
Counting Cars, by Roger Priddy, a board with loads of colorful illustrations of all different kinds of vehicles, organized by categories, with tabs to take readers directly to their special interests. Look and find questions on each page encourage counting skills and make this a fun, interactive read aloud. (Ages 2-4)
Books About Counting and Numbers: Animals
Count the Monkeys
Count the Monkeys, by Mac Barnett, a super fun and clever counting book that’s less about counting monkeys and more about the surprises along the way. Lots of laughs and child participation guaranteed. (Ages 3-5)
1, 2, 3 to the Zoo: A Counting Book
1, 2, 3 to the Zoo: A Counting Book, by Eric Carle, beautiful collage illustrations of zoo animals introduce little ones to numbers 1-10. (Ages 1-3)
Counting Lions: Portraits from the Wild
Counting Lions: Portraits from the Wild, by Katie Cotton, stunning, full page charcoal drawings of ten endangered animals in numeric groupings and poetic text explanations of the animal’s behavior. All ages of readers will be awed by the illustrations and older children will learn some interesting facts about the animals featured. (Ages 3 and up)
Books About Counting and Numbers: Songs and Rhymes
Five Little Speckled Frogs
Five Little Speckled Frogs, by Nikki Smith, a fun rendition of the popular preschooler’s song, told with humorous illustrations and easy-to-count frogs on a log. Many opportunities for learning numbers and counting both forward and backward. (Ages 3-6)
Check out a fun activity to use with this book!
Pete the Cat and his Four Groovy Buttons
Pete the Cat and his Four Groovy Buttons, by James Dean, another totally cool Pete the Cat book, this time he’s rockin’ as he loses the 4 buttons on his shirt, one by one. Laughter assured when Pete discovers what’s left after he loses his last button. Catchy, rhythmic text/lyrics will have little ones joining in the fun. (Ages 2-5)
Roll Over! A Counting Song
Roll Over! A Counting Song, by Merle Peek, a board book story/song and preschool favorite about a child in bed with nine animals. As they all roll over together, one animal falls out each time, until the child is alone at the end, and the reader discovers it was all make believe. Lots of opportunities for counting forward and backward. (Ages 3-5)
Books About Counting and Numbers: Counting to 100
My First Numbers Board Book
My First Numbers Board Book, by DK, colorful and familiar photographs, with numerals, as well as number words, make this an ideal book for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. One to 100 images create a bounty of parent-child interaction opportunities. Also, an excellent beginning reader book. (Ages 2-5)
100 Bugs! A Counting Book
100 Bugs! A Counting Book, by Kate Narita, cute, inviting illustrations and rhyming text encourage kids to join in the discovery of all kind of insects and their surroundings. Each page includes searching, counting and adding to 10 until 100 bugs are found. (Ages 5-7)
Books About Counting and Numbers: Princesses and Mermaids
Do Princesses Count?
Do Princesses Count? by Carmela LaVigna Coyle, from the author of the popular Do Princesses series, adorable illustrations of every fan’s favorite princess as she takes her dog on a 1-10 counting adventure in the woods. Simple text and supportive pictures make this a good beginning reader book. (Ages 4-8)
Ten Little Mermaids (Counting to Ten Books)
Ten Little Mermaids (Counting to Ten Books), by Susie Linn, told through simple rhyming text, ten colorful and glittery little mermaids swim away on individual adventures for an “under the sea” counting experience that little mermaid fans will adore. (Ages 3-6)
Books About Counting and Numbers: Fun with Numbers
The Very Cold, Freezing, No-Number Day
The Very Cold, Freezing, No-Number Day, by Ashley N. Sorenson, a colorful and clever interactive number book that involves children in finger tracing, blowing on, and counting numbers to save them from freezing. Fun and educational, as readers participate in changing the seasons from winter to summer. (Ages 4-6)
Wumbers
Wumbers, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, another winner from this creative author, wumbers are combinations of words and numbers. With amusingly supportive illustrations, kids will enjoy figuring out the wumbers. For example, “Don’t you just love making 4ts?!” with an illustration of a boy and his dog in a fort. “I like 10ts, 2!” says a girl in a tent on the next page. Lots of laughs and “aha” moments guaranteed. (Ages 3-8)
Read aloud time with number and counting books will help your child build number sense. You can count on it!
Get your Reading Boots on and enjoy the journey.
