The Best Counting and Number Books for Preschoolers

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Number books are a great way to add math learning to your reading activities with kids. I’m going to share a variety of counting books for your kids. Whether you use one of the DIY printable counting books or get your books from the store or library, I know you will find some fun number books for preschoolers that your kids will love.

the best counting and number books for perschoolers

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Printable Number Books for Preschoolers

Some of the best books for preschoolers are those you make yourselves. Here are three different printable number books for preschoolers. These interactive counting books are great for hands-on math activities to help your kids practice counting and understand early number concepts.

Dot Sticker Counting Book

Dot sticker activities are not only a fun way to practice counting and develop number sense, but peeling stickers is a great fine motor activity and a great way to work on practicing the pincer grasp.

3 printable dot sticker counting books. One is opened to the number 10 page and is shown with red and blue stickers applied in an aba pattern. This is an example of peeling dot sticker activities to build fine motor skills and number books for preschoolers.

1-10 Counting Books

These printable counting books come in two different sizes and are very versatile and are a great way to learn one-to-one correspondence and number sense. Kids can add stickers, stamps, draw pictures, make fingerprints or more to the pages to represent the numbers as they boost their math skills.

Printable number books for preschoolers.  This book is open to the number 3 page and a child has added 3 bumblebee stickers to the page.

Hole Punch Counting Books

Do your little learners need to build some hand strength? Hole punch activities are an extremely motivating way to help kids build the muscles in their little hands. Hole punch number books are a great way to work on number recognition and counting while working on essential fine motor skills.

Printable hole punch number books for preschoolers.  The picture shows two books with a silver hole puncher.  One book is open to the number 5 page.  It says "I see 5 bubbles" and each bubble above 5 fish is punched out with a hole punch.

Additional Number Books for Preschoolers

Are you looking for picture books? Here are some of my favorite counting books that you can pick up in your local bookstore or from Amazon.

From The Garden: A Counting Book About Growing Food By Michael Dahl

Young children can learn numbers 1-12 while watching a family grow items for a yummy salad.

One Big Building: A Counting Book About Construction by Michael Dahl

This number book is a great book for your little construction vehicle lovers. Numbers are represented in several ways on each page; your kids can even look for the hidden numbers in the pictures.

Ten Black Dots by Donald Crews

Going from illustrations with one black spot to ten, the author uses simple representations of things in life. While a little dated (we don’t use radio dials anymore), the book provides plenty of opportunities for discussion and counting, and kids will enjoy pointing to each block dot with their index finger.

Counting in the Garden by Emily Hruby

“Counting in the Garden” is a delightful counting book that will keep little ones engaged with its captivating illustrations and garden-themed adventure, making it a perfect choice for children to explore numbers while enjoying the wonders of nature.

Five Green and Speckled Frogs by Constanza Basaluzzo

I love the popular song, that’s why my favorite part of this great story is that you can sing along with the rhyming text as the frogs eat their lunch in this delicious counting book.

One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller by Kate Read

This exciting and beautifully illustrated counting book takes little readers on a thrilling adventure as a clever fox tries to catch three unsuspecting hens. This will be an exciting book to include in your farm theme. With captivating illustrations and a suspenseful twist at the end of the book, this title will keep kids and adults engaged during storytime.

Click Clack 123 by Doreen Cronin

You and your kids can count the farm animals in this little board book featuring the numbers 1-10. I love the illustrations of the different animals in this fun book.

Stack the Cats by Susie Ghahremani

I am a lifelong cat-lover, so I’m a sucker for cat books. It’s not hard for me to find joy in this book. But even if you and your young readers don’t like cats, I think that you will love this creative counting book that will help your kids think about numbers in different ways. For example, instead of just showing 9 cats stacked on top of each other, your kids can count 3 stacks of 3 cats…which equals nine silly cats.

How Many Bugs in a Box?: A Pop Up Counting Book by David A. Carter

Your kids will love this pop-up book featuring cute bugs in a variety of colorful boxes. It’s a fun interactive counting book to share.

One Is a Pinata: A Book of Numbers By Roseanne Greenfield

This is a fun, vibrant, and joyful picture book that takes you and your kids on a festive counting adventure filled with playful rhyming words.

Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh

A 1-10 counting book and silly story about some mice cleverly getting out of a difficult situation. It’s a good book to act out during story time. You can tell this story with a snake sock puppet and some small toy mice, a jar, and some small toy mice.

The Numbers Store: Sunday Adventures Series By Harold Green iii

This book is a simple story that introduces basic number concepts as family members take a trip to the grocery store. I love the illustrations in this one.

Each Orange Had 8 Slices by Paul Giganti Jr.

Through simple illustrations, this book is a great way to show kids that numbers are everywhere. From simple counting to more complex ideas about numbers, there are opportunities to use this book for kids of varying ages and abilities.

Quack and Count by Keith Baker

This is a fun and different counting book for kids. The book illustrates different ways to count the 7 ducks. Your kids will have so much fun they won’t even realize they are learning numeracy concepts.

Big Fat Hen by Keith Baker 

You and your kids are probably familiar with the “One, two, buckle my shoe” nursery rhyme, but the amazing illustrations in this book add another level to the classic number rhyme.

Fish Eyes: A Book You Can Count On by Lois Ehlert 

Teach your kids to count the fish eyes on each page. The bright illustrations are gorgeous, and the holes in the little fish give them something tactile to feel as they count.

Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef by Marianne Berkes

This book includes lyrical rhymes to the tune of “Over in the Meadow” that introduce sea creatures numbered 1-10. The bright colors and illustrations are beautiful! This is a fun way to learn about animals as kids practice counting.

Steam Train, Dream Train 1-2-3 by Sherri Duskey RInker

If you love “Steam Train, Dream Train,” then you’ll love this sweet counting story. The great illustrations and fun rhymes will take your kids on a 1-10 counting adventure.

Ten Apples Up On Top! By Theo Lesieg

Animal friends practice balancing red apples on their heads in this fun counting book. After reading this, you can make your own Apple Counting Book with your kids with my free printable.

ten red apples By Pat Hutchins

Here’s another apple counting book that is perfect for your apple theme or farm theme. This sweet book features farm animals eating 10 apples from the apple tree. Not only is this book a great basic counting book, but it’s predictable rhyme and rich vocabulary provide opportunities to boost early literacy skills.

Chicka Chicka 123 by Bill Martin Jr.

If you are a fan of Chica Chicka Boom Boom, then you and your small children will love this number book version by Bill Martin Jr. The simple illustrations are familiar, and zero is the hero.

Counting Collection: Counting Cars by Roger Priddy

This is a great lap or small group book rather than a read-aloud for a large group. I describe it as an “I Spy” counting book for things that go. This is great for working on visual discrimination and counting skills and is a perfect book for a transportation theme….or for kids who love cars and big trucks and things that go.

Anno’s Counting Book by Mitsumaso Anno

Without a story, this book does a great job engaging kids through seasons and months that depict the numbers 0-12.

Purchase Printable Number Books for Preschoolers In the Store

I hope that you try out some of the suggestions on this book list. Are you ready to work on math concepts with these printable number books for your kids? Check out these printable books in the store.

dot sticker activities number book

Purchase on TPT

Do you prefer to shop at Teachers Pay Teachers? You can also purchase the printable number books in my TPT Store.

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