Recognising numbers, counting, and ordering numbers are all part of learning in the early years. We have put together some mathematical picture books for you to share with your child.
One Thing
By Lauren Child
Publisher: Orchard Books
Charlie and Lola are allowed to choose one thing from the shop. After much discussion about whether this is one thing each or one thing between them, Charlie and Lola are ready to go. This book explores how we use mathematical language in everyday life and provides amusing and real examples that will be familiar to your child. Watch Lauren Child reading One Thing for National Numeracy Day.
One Fox
By Kate Reed
Two Hoots
A stunning counting book and thrilling farmyard adventure. One famished fox with two sly eyes is on the prowl . . . three plump hens had better watch out! Watch the story online.
One Duck Stuck
By Phyllis Root, illustrated by Jane Chapman
Publisher: Candlewick Press
This book focuses on counting up to ten, and features a very mucky duck. Who can help the duck who is stuck in the muck? Maybe five frogs, seven snails or ten dragonflies. Watch the story online.
Baby Goes to Market
By Atinuke, illustrated by Angela Brooksbank
Publisher: Walker Books
When Baby and Mama go to market, baby is so adorable that the banana seller gives him six bananas. Baby eats one and puts five in the basket, but Mama doesn't notice. Watch the story online.
One is a Snail, Ten is a Crab
By April Pulley Sayre and Jeff Sayre, illustrated by Randy Cecil
Publisher: Walker Books
This beautifully illustrated counting book introduces the idea of simple multiplication using feet. Using snails, people, crabs, spiders and other animals, your child will be able to count all the way up to one hundred. Watch the story online.
Don’t Count Your Chickens
By Simon Puttock, illustrated by Ross Collins
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Ruth-May and her chickens will help your child to understand doubling. In this amusing book, Ruth-May starts with two chickens but keeps asking for twice as many to count and cuddle. Watch the story online.
How Big is a Million
By Anna Milbourne, illustrated by Serena Riglietti
Publisher: Usbourne
Pipkin wants to know how big a million is. This little penguin and his questions will help your child understand the concept of larger numbers. His adventure leads him to count groups of objects, including ten fish, one hundred penguins and a thousand snowflakes. Watch the story online.
One to Ten Animal Mayhem
Written and illustrated by Thomas Flentham
Publisher: Scholastic
All the animals are running, swimming, splashing and dashing in this colourful rhyming picture book... but where are they all going? With sturdy pages and a simple, engaging story, this is the perfect counting book for toddlers, covering numbers one to ten.
Count the Vehicles
Written and illustrtated by Laura Coleman
Publisher: published independently
How many tractors can you spot? What about all the blue racing cars? A perfect book for little learners. They'll develop counting, searching and observational skills, and they'll be having so much fun they won't even know they're learning!
Count with Maisy
Written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins
Publisher: Walker Books Ltd
In "Count with Maisy", with the help of the little mouse, see her with one ladybird, two flowers, three buckles... Lift the flaps and pull the tabs to see.
To find out more about how to help your child with numbers visit the National Numeracy Day website.
