35 Counting and Number Books for Kids

Help children learn all about numbers and counting with this list of thirty five counting and number books.

Quality picture books are the perfect resource for integrating literacy with math concepts as well constructed books often simplify big ideas and 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 elementary/primary school who are learning about bigger numbers and more involved counting strategies.

Using these counting books as inspiration for your math learning activities extends their learning potential even further. Combine a book with one of the counting songs and rhymes from our list when working with preschool and kindergarten age students.

Counting Books for Toddlers & Preschoolers

The list is divided into a number of sections. The titles in this first set of books is perfect for younger children learning to count to ten and identify the numerals from 0-10.

Like all of the books in our Best Books for Kids collection, each book in this Counting Books list is linked to Amazon (these are affiliate links) where you can find reviews and age recommendations for any titles you are not familiar with.

Dog’s Colorful Day by Emma Dodd Dog starts off the day with one black spot on his ear. But it seems that wherever he goes, he runs, rolls, and trots right into colors. When he finally arrives back home, Dog has ten different colored spots, in this messy book about counting. Available: Amazon

10 Little Ninjas by Miranda Paul A fun counting book for little ones, featuring a colorful cast of characters – from ninjas to astronauts and race car drivers – none of whom want to go to bed! Available: Amazon

One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller by Kate Read One hungry fox with two sly eyes is on the prowl, three plump hens had better watch out! An exciting counting story set in a moonlit farmyard. Available: Amazon

One Duck Stuck by Phyllis Root When 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

Ten on a Twig by Lo Cole A sweet, interactive counting book about ten birds sitting on a long twig, who each take a piece of the twig as they leave to create a new home. Available: Amazon

Numbers by John J. Reiss Simple, bright illustrations and bold numbers to 20 make this a wonderful first counting book for toddlers. Available: Amazon

For more practise counting to 20, check out this dedicated list of Books About Counting to 20.

Goodnight Numbers by Danica McKellar This sweet counting book to ten makes a perfect bedtime read to share with toddlers and preschoolers. It includes exceptional detail in every illustration, with many opportunities to practice counting on each page. Available: Amazon

Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh Count to ten and back again with these charming mice as they escape from a hungry snake. Available: Amazon

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle This fabulous classic is perfect for teaching children early number concepts and the days of the week. Available: Amazon

12 Ways to Get to 11 by Eve Merriam A counting adventure that teaches children twelve witty and imaginative ways to count to eleven. Available: Amazon

Ten Apples on Top by Dr Seuss Seuss 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

Let’s Count Goats by Mem Fox A fun rhyming romp with a gaggle of goats that is great for counting up to ten and back again. Available: Amazon

One Is A Snail, Ten Is A Crab by April Pulley Sayre and Jeff Sayre If 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

Bear Counts by Karma Wilson A delightful first counting book for toddlers and preschoolers – “Numbers, numbers everywhere, can you count along with bear?” Available: Amazon

How Do Dinosaurs Count to Ten? by Jane Yolen A fun dino counting book for younger fans of the popular ‘How Do Dinosaurs’ series by Jane Yolen. Available: Amazon

Quack and Count by Keith Baker A beautifully illustrated introduction to counting and addition to seven. Fabulous for toddlers and preschoolers. Available: Amazon

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Ten Flashing Fireflies by Philemon Sturges Counting down from ten to one, a girl and a boy empty the night sky of fireflies as — counting up from one to ten — they fill their jar with them. But once captured, the fireflies’ light flickers and fades, so the children release them, counting back from ten to one again. Available: Amazon

The Hueys in None the Number by Oliver Jeffers There are not many counting picture books that include zero, which this one does in the form of ‘none,’ as the Hueys explain numbers with their own unique style. Includes an interesting anecdote about the importance of zero to mathematicians. Available: Amazon

On the Launch Pad: A Counting Book About Rockets by Michael Dahl A countdown from twelve to one as a space shuttle awaits liftoff in this fun counting book that invites readers to find hidden numbers 1-12. Available: Amazon

How Many Bugs in a Box? by David A Carter A super fun, interactive counting book with fabulous pop ups. Sure to be a hit with all ages. Available: Amazon

123s of Art by Sabrina Hahn With fun rhyme and large, colorful text, 123s of Art will inspire your budding art lovers as they learn to count to 20 by locating objects in classic paintings. Available: Amazon

Fish Eyes: A Book You Can Count On by Lois Ehlert Learn to count the brilliantly colored fish swimming through the pages of this beautiful watery world. Available: Amazon

Ten Black Dots by Donald Crews What can you do with ten black dots? Rather a lot! Using both words and pictures, Crews shows kids what one dot can do, then two dots, then three, all the way up to ten. Available: Amazon

How Many Snails? by Paul Giganti A great counting challenge, that teaches the importance of sorting and grouping too. Available: Amazon

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Number and Counting Books for Kids Aged 5+

This next set of books begins to introduce more advanced counting skills and concepts, as well as counting amounts larger then 10, including exploring BIG numbers, such as hundreds, millions and billions. If you are specifically working with children learning about counting to 100, be sure to check out our dedicated list of books about counting to 100.

The Water Hole by Graeme Base Part counting book, part puzzle book, part storybook, the visual feast that is The Water Hole engages older children through an engaging mystery to solve. Available: Amazon

Anno’s Counting Book by Mitsumasa Anno A 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

How Many? A Different Kind of Counting Book by Christopher Danielson Written by a math educator, this innovative book encourages critical thinking and sparks memorable mathematical conversations. The reader decides what to count on each page. You have many choices, and the longer you look, the more possibilities you’ll notice, and as long as you’re talking about what you see, think, and wonder, you’re talking math! Available: Amazon

Uno’s Garden by Graeme Base A beautifully illustrated story with an important environmental message and opportunities for engaging elementary/primary students with a range of number concepts. Available: Amazon

365 Penguins by Jean-Luc Fromental Imagine 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

Animals By the Numbers by Steve Jenkins How 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

Spaghetti and Meatballs for All by Marilyn Burns The 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

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How Many Jellybeans? A Giant Book of Giant Numbers by Andrea Menotti How many jelly beans are enough? How many are too many? Aiden and Emma can’t decide. Available: Amazon

A Hundred Billion Trillion Stars by Seth Fishman Math, science and an all-around interesting story are to be found in this picture book exploring the vast numbers in the universe. Available: Amazon

Millions, Billions and Trillions: Understanding Big Numbers by David A Adler What does a million look like? Or a billion? Or a trillion? This book explains the largest numbers in ways children can visualize and understand. Available: Amazon

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

For more books exploring mathematical concepts, be sure to check out the following lists;

   
And for more fun, counting activities, check out these related articles;