We're so impressed by these inventive books that turn simple counting into such fun and inspiring activities. Here's our favorite children's books for counting numbers - every single one offers different approaches and ideas. You don't even need to think about teaching the numbers or counting. These books make children learn naturally while simply enjoying the illustrations and stories.
The links below each book will take you to the book page on Amazon.
1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar (by Eric Carle)
This all time favorite children's book is also our favorite counting book. We hear that a copy of this book is sold every 30 seconds somewhere in the world! The magic of Eric Carle's collages, the simplicity of the story and the rhythm of the words with extra fun bits with the holes, a beautiful ending ... - It teaches counting and the days of the week with a story of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly.
2. One Big Building : A counting book about construction (by Michael Dahl)
We think this book is really cool. A busy building site with bustling workers, diggers, trucks... all working hard to build a big skyscrapper, it's definitely a more exciting scenario than counting fruits or flowers. Hidden numbers on each page makes it extra fun.
Starting with an empty field (zero), then from January to December, month by month the town grows with more houses, more children and animals, without any words. For example, in the month of September, there are 9 houses, 9 trees, 9 horses and 9 people...etc in the scene. It's a serene and intelligent kind of children's book and we're in love with it. Mitsumasa Anno is a Japanese illustrator and former mathematics teacher - and our new favorite artist!
4. 1-2-3: A Child's First Counting Book (by Alison Jay)
Alison Jay's illustrations for fairytale books are wonderful and we love her idea of combining fairy tales and counting numbers. Three little pigs and four frog princes ... six gingerbread men. Each scene is a real joy to look at. A happy collection of our favorite fairytales with numbers.
Counting Kisses appeared in our favorite books about love as well and we suspect that it will appear in our favorite bed time book too. Because this book is such a charming combination of 'counting', 'kisses' and 'going to bed' ! We love the warm feeling from her colors and big round faces. The idea of counting how many kisses the baby gets is so lovely.
Using the same black dots in varying numbers in different illustrations really appeals to the preschoolers and the idea can be used for many activities beyond the book. Simple, bold illustration is popular with toddlers. Another favorite classic!
7. Doggies: A Counting and Barking Book (by Sandra Boynton)
A hillarious one. Note that the title says 'counting and barking' book. You will have to bark a lot as you read it as well as counting! 10 dogs with all different barks and it's a 'laugh out loud' (ok..LOL) kind of book if you can do it well. ..oh and the dogs are very cute!
8. 123 NYC: A Counting Book of New York City (by Joanne Dugan)
A stylish one (with black and white photographs). Each number is represented with the photos of various scenes and objects found in New York City. Even if you're not familiar with NYC, it's a great book for children to observe and explore this place while learning to count. Photographer Joanne Dugan loves New York and started photographing elementary things like numbers and alphabets (ABC NYC) in the city for a project with her son. (Taking photos of ABC for flash cards was something we've always wanted to do!) We love this idea as it takes children out to the real city and asks them to see things differently.
