Children's Books to Learn to Count

Books can be an excellent supplementary material for learning in childhood. Below, we'll share the best books for children to discover numbers and learn to count.
Children's Books to Learn to Count

Last update: 10 March, 2020

One of the first things children learn are numbers and, therefore, they also have to learn to count. Doing basic math at a young age, however simple it may seem, can complicate children’s lives if they don’t acquire certain skills and methodology.

Books are wonderful tools for helping children learn to perform basic numerical operations in a simple and fun way. Below, we leave you a series of children’s books to learn to count that will help children, as well as their teachers and parents.

Children’s books to learn to count

1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

A book with very eye-catching colors and drawings for children that allows them to count the number of foods the caterpillar eats while identifying them with die-cut illustrations. Also, they’ll see first-hand the growth, change, or metamorphosis that the small animal undergoes to become a butterfly.

This book has become so popular that you can also find it in mini and pop-up form, with tabs, dials, and flaps.

Undoubtedly, this is one of the best books to learn to count in an easy and fun way that stars an animal, something that we’re sure your children will love.

Children's Books to Learn to Count

2. Learn Your 123 by Elizabeth Golding

This is one of the most didactic books out there. We’re sure your children will love it as it’s a wipe-clean book that also comes with an erasable marker.

Through its pages, your children will discover numbers 1 to 10 with illustrations. In addition, they’ll be able to learn to draw each of them with the marker it includes.

3. My First Numbers: Let’s Get Counting by Dawn Sirett

This colorful book will delight children due to the many colors and images it contains. In addition to helping children learn to count, they’ll be able to identify the pictures of each page, as each number is identified with a different picture.

Also, it includes flaps or tabs with each of the numbers as bookmarks, so that your child can directly open it at the number they choose.

4. Ten Little Sheep by Franziska Gehm

Another of the first things children learn, along with numbers, are colors. What can be better than learning all this in the same book, whose characters are also animals?

Specifically, 10 sheep, each of a different color, do all sorts of activities in increasingly larger groups so that your child can identify the colors of each one, as well as the number of sheep that participate in each activity.

A wonderful picture book that allows children to have fun learning.

More books to learn to count

5. Richard Scarry’s Best Counting Book Ever by Richard Scarry

This book isn’t so much about learning to count, but about numbers themselves. It’s recommended for children ages two and up. It’s a book that’s totally adapted for them both physically, due to its manageable format, as well as its pages, which include eye-catching colors and illustrations.

Your children will learn numbers 1 to 10 in a fun way through the different methods on each page.

Children's Books to Learn to Count

6. Numbers by Julia Donaldson

The title of the book tells you what it’s all about! However, its cover says a lot more, because it introduces you to the main characters of the book: the animals of the Deep Dark Wood. These animals will help your child learn to count to 10 in a fun way and with wonderful illustrations.

7. One, Five, Many by Kveta Pacovska

One of the best picture books with many educational activities to allow children to learn numbers. It was written by a Czech author.

In its pages, children will find cut-outs, lift-the-flaps, pull-outs, and mirrors, among many other activities, meaning they’ll have a lot of fun while they learn.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


  • Carle, E. (2009). La pequeña oruga glotona. Editorial Kokinos.
  • Imaginarium. (2016). 1, 2, 3 Aprende a contar. Editorial círculo.
  • Sirett, D. (2017). Mis primeros números ¡aprendo a contar!. Editorial Bruño.
  • Gehm, F. (2016). 10 ovejitas. Editorial Uranito.
  • Imaginarium. (2013). El gran libro de los números. Editorial círculo.
  • George, P. (2012). Números. Editorial Juventud.
  • Pacovska, K. (2010). Uno, cinco, muchos. Editorial Kokinos.

This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.