I remember how much I enjoyed a counting book with a twist. I do completely believe in the power of picture books to teach math concepts but I do need a little something extra as I am reading the book for the tenth time. My own counting picture book library was not too robust so I trolled through a 4-foot stack of counting books to find these treasures. I hope that you and your child enjoy them. What are your favorite counting books? Please leave a comment and I’ll keep adding to this list.
p.s. If you like this post, you might like Best Picture Books That Teach Math Concepts or Best ABC Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers.
Favorite Counting Picture Books
One is a Pinata: A Book of Numbers by Roseanne Greenfield Thong, illustrated by John Parra
Use this bilingual counting book to introduce kids to Spanish and Latino culture! [picture book, ages 2 and up]
Chicka, Chicka 123 by Bill Jr. Martin, Michael Sampson, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
Sequel to Chicka Chicka ABC, this book is perfect for a child learning to count to 100. W use the front and back inside covers to count to 100, count by 10’s, and count by 5’s. It’s also fun to point out patterns because the numbers are wonderfully color-coded as in, hey look how all the numbers in this column end in the number 2! [picture book, ages 2 and up]
The Blunders: A Counting Catastrophe! by Christina Soontornvat, illustrated by Colin Jack
I love this funny picture book that also manages to sneak in many different ways to count including in Spanish, by two’s, by three’s, and backward! [picture book, ages 3 and up]
Doggies by Sandra Boynton
If you love dogs, you’ll love this counting and barking book with; emphasis on barking! [picture book, ages 1 and up]
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
A wonderful, enduring classic! [picture book, ages 1 and up]
Kahlo’s Koalas: 1, 2, 3, Count Art with Me by Grace Helmer
This board book uses animals and well-known artists to teach counting. Kids will learn about Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Roy Lichtenstein, Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock, Wassily Kandinsky, Vincent Van Gogh, Georges Seurat, Andy Warhol, and Claude Money including their style of painting while searching and counting animals. Art history has never been so fun! [board book, ages 1 and up]
Bunny Party by Rosemary Wells
Max and Ruby have a party and the guest list keeps expanding. This is a great book that sneaks in counting with a story. It’s also fun to match the numbers with the guests. [picture book, ages 1 and up]
Icky Bug Numbers 1 2 3 Book by Jerry Pallota
Wonderful realistic bug illustrations plus counting 1 through 20 and even skip counting by 2’s. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
Pigs from 1-10 by Arthur Geisert
Numbers are hidden in beautiful black and white illustrations. [picture book, ages 2 and up]
We All Went on Safari by Laura Krebs
As you count through Tanzania with Maasai friends, you will also learn to Swahili! [picture book, ages 3 and up]
How Many Donkeys? An Arabic Counting Tale retold by Margaret Read MacDonald and Nadia Jameel Taibah
This tale combines Middle Eastern Folklore about a wise fool Jouha with counting to ten in both English and Arabic. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
100 School Days by Anne Rockwell
When my kids were in Kindergarten, their teacher tracked the 100th day of school and everyone brought in 100 objects in a bag to celebrate just like in this book. It’s also a great book to count by 10’s to 100. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Tails by Matthew Van Fleet
My kids all loved this touch and feel book. [picture book, ages 1 and up]
Max Counts His Chickens by Rosemary Wells
Max and Ruby search for marshmallow chicks but Max is having trouble finding any. Count the chicks as Ruby finds with and then match them to the number. [picture book, ages 1 and up]
Teeth, Tails, and Tentacles by Christopher Wormell
Gorgeously illustrated and, finally!, the number as a symbol and word! [picture book, ages 1 and up]
1 2 3 Moose by Andrea Helman
A beautiful photographic counting book of the Pacific Northwest with great factoids. [picture book, ages 2 and up]
Come Out and Play: Count Around the World in 5 Languages by Diane Law
A fun picture book to get exposure to different foreign languages. [picture book, ages 2 and up]
One Watermelon Seed by Celia Barker Lottridge
This gardening counting book is great because it also counts by 10’s to 100. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
Eight Animals on the Town by Susan Middleton Elya
A counting book with Spanish mixed in! [picture book, ages 2 and up]
I Knew Two Who Said Moo by Judith Barrett
A counting and rhyming book with great vocabulary! [picture book, ages 2 and up]
Ten Little Ladybugs by Melanie Gerth
All my kids loved touching the 3-D ladybugs that appear on every page. [picture book, ages 2 and up]
Seashells by the Seashore by Marianne Collins Berkes
A counting book that identifies different seashells. A must for anyone who regularly goes to the beach or for a little one that loves to collect shells. [picture book, ages 2 and up]
I Spy Two Eyes by Lucy Micklethwait
You and your child will enjoy finding things in famous paintings. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
The Handmade Counting Book by Laura Rankin
Learn to count and sign! [picture book, ages 2 and up]
To examine any of the items listed, please click on image of item.
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BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.
