Quality picture books are the perfect resource for integrating literacy with math concepts. Well constructed books simplify big ideas and tricky, abstract concepts in ways that make it easier for children to grasp new information.This collection of counting books includes books for younger children learning the names of numbers to ten and learning to count with one-to-one correspondence, as well as books for children in primary or elementary school who are learning about bigger numbers (and much, much bigger numbers).
Using these counting books as inspiration for your math learning activities extends their learning potential even further.
Counting Books for Toddlers & Preschoolers
 One Duck Stuck by Phyllis RootWhen one poor duck gets stuck in the muck, who will rescue him? Will it be two fish, tails going swish? Or three moose, munching on spruce? Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
 Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll WalshCount to ten and back again with these charming mice as they escape from a hungry snake. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
 The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric CarleThis fabulous classic is perfect for teaching children early number concepts and the days of the week. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
 12 Ways to Get to 11 by Eve MerriamA counting adventure that teaches children twelve witty and imaginative ways to count to eleven. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
 Ten Apples on Top by Dr SeussSeuss is at his hilarious best with this funny tale of a lion, a tiger and a dog all competing to see who can complete the trickiest task while balancing apples on their head! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
 Let’s Count Goats by Mem FoxA fun rhyming romp with a gaggle of goats that is great for counting up to ten and back again. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
 One Is A Snail, Ten Is A Crab by April Pulley Sayre and Jeff SayreIf one is a snail and two is a person, we must be counting by feet! Follow the sign to the beach, to count feet in a number of silly and surprising combinations. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
 Bear Counts by Karma WilsonA delightful first counting book for toddlers and preschoolers – “Numbers, numbers everywhere, can you count along with bear?” Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
 How Do Dinosaurs Count to Ten? by Jane Yolen toddlersA fun dino counting book for younger dinosaur fans of this fabulous dinosaur series by Jane Yolen. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
 Quack and Count by Keith BakerPSA beautifully illustrated introduction to counting and addition to seven. Fabulous for toddlers and preschoolers. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
 One to Ten and Back Again by Sue Heap and Nick SharrattA lovely, simple counting story sharing the likes of two friends as they count up to ten and back to one again Available: The Book Depository |
 The Hueys in None the Number by Oliver JeffersThere are not many counting picture books that include zero, which this one does in the form of ‘none.’ It includes an interesting anecdote about the importance of zero to mathematicians. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
 Count the Monkeys by Mac BarnettA rather silly counting book that is sure to have your children laughing out loud! Available: The Book Depository |
 How Many Bugs in a Box? by David A CarterA super fun, interactive counting book with fabulous pop ups. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
 Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef by Marianne BerkesA lovely variation of the classic rhyme, Over in the Meadow, introducing children to counting to ten with gorgeous sea life. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
 Fish Eyes: A Book You Can Count On by Lois EhlertLearn to count the brilliantly coloured fish swimming through the pages of this beautiful watery world. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
 Ten Black Dots by Donald CrewsWhat can you do with ten black dots? Rather a lot! Using words and pictures, Crews shows kids what one dot can do, then two dots, then three, up to ten. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
 How Many Snails? by Paul GigantiA great counting challenge, that teaches the importance of sorting and grouping too. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Number and Counting Books for Kids Aged 5+
 The Water Hole by Graeme BasePart counting book, part puzzle book, part storybook, the visual feast which is The Water Hole engages readers with a mystery to solve. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
 Anno’s Counting Book by Mitsumasa AnnoA beautiful visual story of a growing town, told over the course of a year. Anno’s marvellous creation offers many opportunities to count to 12 and to talk about sorting, groups and sets. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
 How Many Legs? by Kes GrayA hilarious counting book featuring four-legged and two-legged and eight-legged friends. Makes a great introduction to addition too. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
 Uno’s Garden by Graeme BaseA beautifully illustrated story with an important environmental message and opportunities for engaging elementary/primary students with a range of number concepts. Available: The Book Depository |
 365 Penguins by Jean-Luc FromentalImagine finding a penguin mysteriously delivered to your door every day for a year! Such is the dilemma for the family in 365 Penguins, with lots of fun opportunities for counting. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
 Spaghetti and Meatballs for All by Marilyn BurnsThe wonderful story offers lots of opportunities for elementary/primary children to engage with numbers – counting, multiplying, dividing – as well as learning about perimeter. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
For more in this category, check out our list of books about counting to one hundred.
Books Exploring BIG Numbers
 How Big Is a Million? by Anna MilbournePipkin the penguin sets out to discover how many make a million, exploring ten, a hundred and a thousand along the way. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
 How Many Jellybeans? A Giant Book of Giant Numbers by Andrea MenottiHow many jelly beans are enough? How many are too many? Aiden and Emma can’t decide. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
 A Hundred Billion Trillion Stars by Seth FishmanMath, science and an all-around interesting story are to be found in this picture book exploring the vast numbers in the universe. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
 Millions, Billions and Trillions: Understanding Big Numbers by David A AdlerWhat does a million look like? Or a billion? Or a trillion? This book explains the largest numbers in ways children can visualise and understand. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
 Animals By the Numbers by Steve JenkinsHow many species are there across the globe? How much do all of the insects in the world collectively weigh? How far can animals travel? Steve Jenkins answers these questions and many more with numbers and innovative images. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
 How Much is a Million? by David M. Schwartz“If you wanted to count from one to one million it would take you about 23 days!” This books helps children infer how large a group of a million, billion and trillion really is. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
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Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.
