Counting books are excellent resources to help kids get their feet wet in the world of mathematics. These books offer the preliminary insights kids need to start developing their mathematical literacy. And today’s post is all about such books.
Below you will find our curated list of some of the best counting books for kids. The collection is rich with tales that are bound to spark curiosity and foster a love for numbers in children.
Whether it’s following the adventures of a very hungry caterpillar, joining a granny on a magic carpet ride around the globe, or counting the spots on a ladybug, each book we’ve explored offers a unique pathway to learning. They invite interaction, play, and a whole lot of fun.
For more selected reads and book recommendations, I invite you to check our Kids Books section. It’s packed full of reading resources tailored specially for young minds!
Counting Books for Kids
Here some of the best counting books for kids:
1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle
In “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” Eric Carle delights young readers with a clever tale of a caterpillar with an insatiable appetite. The book cleverly combines simple counting with the days of the week as children follow the caterpillar’s journey, eating his way through the pages—quite literally, given the book’s playful die-cut design. It’s a hands-on experience that invites little ones to engage with counting in the most natural way as they turn each page to discover what the ravenous little creature will munch on next.
2. 8 Little Planets: A Solar System Book for Kids with Unique Planet Cutouts, by Chris Ferrie
Chris Ferrie’s “8 Little Planets” takes young readers on an interstellar adventure, offering a celebration of the solar system’s uniqueness. With catchy rhymes and vibrant artwork, each planet is brought to life with its own personality and charm. From slow Neptune to speedy Mercury, children will enjoy the playful verse and distinctive die-cut design of the book, all while being introduced to the concept of individuality and the basics of our solar system—a cosmic party that highlights both science and self-esteem.
3. Doggies, by Sandra Boynton
Doggies” by Sandra Boynton is an uproarious counting adventure that introduces children to a variety of dogs, each with its own distinct sound and character. As the pages turn, the canine chorus grows, with woofs and yaps building up to a boisterous crescendo. This book is a delightful way to teach counting in an environment filled with laughter and joy, as each new dog adds not just a number but also a sound to the mix, making it a perfect read-aloud that will have kids eagerly anticipating the next dog and the next number.
4. Wacky Wednesday, by Theo LeSieg
Theo LeSieg’s “Wacky Wednesday” turns an ordinary day into a whimsical hunt for the absurd and the out-of-place. Children will be captivated by the challenge of counting the ever-increasing wacky details hidden in each illustration, from flying cars to tigers in the classroom. The book combines the playful, rhythmic cadence of Dr. Seuss’s rhyme with George Booth’s humorous illustrations, making it an engaging read that not only teaches numbers but also encourages observation skills and attention to detail in a world where the unexpected becomes the norm.
5. 123 Count with Me, by Tiger Tales
“123 Count with Me” by Tiger Tales is an innovative counting book designed to engage children’s senses and enhance their number recognition through interactive play. With its unique trace-and-flip features, each number becomes a tactile experience, allowing little ones to familiarize themselves with the shapes of numbers 1 through 20. Coupled with colorful illustrations and flaps to lift, this book is not just a visual journey but also a hands-on tool that encourages counting, tracing, and fine motor skills, making learning numbers a joyous and active discovery.
6. On the Launch Pad: A Counting Book About Rockets, by Michael Dahl
Michael Dahl’s “On the Launch Pad: A Counting Book About Rockets” combines the excitement of space exploration with the foundational skill of counting. Children will be captivated by the bright illustrations that cleverly hide numbers within the artwork, turning each page into a mini-adventure of discovery. As the countdown to liftoff progresses, so does the child’s counting ability, making this book an engaging read for little astronauts-in-training eager to explore the cosmos while learning their numbers.
Related: Best Children’s Alphabet Books
7. School Zone, by School Zone, Joan Hoffman
“School Zone – Numbers 1-25 Dot-to-Dots Workbook” by School Zone and Joan Hoffman is a fun and educational journey through numbers 1-25, designed to strengthen a child’s counting skills and numerical order understanding. Packed with charming illustrations and dot-to-dot puzzles, this workbook not only supports the development of sequencing and eye-hand coordination but also serves as a colorful gateway to early math proficiency, making each accomplishment in the workbook a stepping stone to math confidence and success.
8. Indestructibles: Baby, Let’s Count!: Chew Proof · Rip Proof · Nontoxic · 100% Washable, by Ekaterina Trukhan , Amy Pixton
“Indestructibles: Baby, Let’s Count!” by Ekaterina Trukhan and Amy Pixton is a virtually indestructible book designed for the way babies read—with their hands and mouths. Bright pictures and simple rhymes guide babies up to the number ten, with each page inviting them to count a variety of playful animals. This book is perfect for on-the-go learning, made to withstand all the drool and tearing a baby can muster, and is a wonderful emergent literacy tool that encourages the very beginning of dialogic reading.
9. Little Skill Seekers: Early Math, by Scholastic Teacher Resources
“Little Skill Seekers: Early Math” by Scholastic Teacher Resources is a vibrant workbook that transforms early math concepts into a playful and colorful experience. It provides children with the opportunity to practice counting, problem-solving, and comparing quantities. As children work through the engaging activities, they develop a strong foundation for math literacy, setting the stage for more advanced mathematical concepts and learning adventures.
10. Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin, by Lloyd Moss
Lloyd Moss’s “Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin” is a melodious counting journey from a solo trombone to a full orchestra. With elegant and rhythmic verse paired with dynamic illustrations, this book introduces children to musical groups and the sounds of different instruments. As the ensemble grows with each turn of the page, so does the excitement, making it a captivating introduction to the world of music and numbers that will have young readers applauding for an encore.
11. Play Smart Early Learning , by Gakken early childhood experts
“Play Smart Early Learning Age 2+” by Gakken early childhood experts is more than just a workbook—it’s a well-rounded developmental experience for toddlers. Through activities like tracing, coloring, and solving picture puzzles, children engage in essential play-based learning. The inclusion of stickers and a wipe-clean activity board further enhances fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities, and even social skills, preparing young minds for the various challenges of lifelong learning.
12. Counting with a Ladybug, by DK
“Counting with a Ladybug” by DK is a vibrant counting adventure that invites preschoolers to join in on an animal-packed rhyme that spans from one ladybug to ten ducklings. The book is an interactive experience, featuring tactile trails and die-cut pages that encourage the development of fine motor skills, while the rhymes enhance language and pre-reading abilities. It’s a delightful invitation to explore numbers through the beauty and diversity of garden wildlife.
13. Ten Black Dots, by Donald Crews
In “Ten Black Dots” by Donald Crews, dots transform into a creative visual feast for young children. This book offers a fresh perspective on counting, inviting kids to imagine the various things black dots can become—from suns to snowman faces. It’s a playful exploration that encourages visual learning, creativity, and numerical skills, all wrapped up in a fun and interactive picture book format.
14. My Granny Went to Market, by Stella Blackstone
Stella Blackstone’s “My Granny Went to Market” whisks children away on a global counting adventure with Granny’s magic carpet ride. As Granny collects souvenirs from each exotic location, young readers count along, learning numbers and experiencing diverse cultures through a delightful rhyming narrative that sparks imagination and teaches geography as effortlessly as it does mathematics.
15. Anno’s Counting Book, by Mitsumasa Anno
Mitsumasa Anno’s “Anno’s Counting Book” is an ode to the natural mathematician found in every child. Through the changing landscapes of time and seasons, Anno presents a visual narrative that goes beyond simple counting to introduce the foundational concepts of mathematics. Children are drawn into a world where numbers have meaning, relationships, and context, turning every observation into a subtle math lesson woven into the fabric of everyday life.
Final thoughts
For parents and educators, these counting books are tools that spark imagination and build foundational skills that children will carry into their future academic journeys. So whether you’re tucking your child in with a goodnight story or searching for an interactive learning activity, the countable moments we create with these books are precious and formative.
