Counting Picture Books For Kindergarten

Students come to school with different abilities and learning styles. Some may only be able to count to ten, whereas others are counting to twenty, some to one hundred or beyond. Welcome to the fun world of Kindergarten!

For those who are learning the concept of counting from one to ten, make learning numbers fun by regularly sharing picture books such as;

  1. "One Wooly Wombat" by Kerry Argent: Join the adorable Wooly Wombat as he encounters various Australian animals, counting from one to ten. With charming illustrations and rhythmic text, this book will captivate young learners.

  2. "Ten Fat Turkeys" by Tony Johnston: Get ready for a hilarious turkey-filled adventure as ten silly turkeys disappear in this delightful counting book. Its catchy rhymes and amusing antics make it a favourite for counting from ten to one.

  3. "Ten In The Bed" by Penny Dale: Join the cuddly animals as they pile into bed one by one, only to fall out again in this rollicking counting tale. Perfect for practising counting backwards from ten, it's a bedtime favourite that will have children giggling along.

  4. "The Waterhole" by Graeme Base: Dive into the vibrant world of Graeme Base's intricate illustrations as you count animals gathering around the waterhole. With each turn of the page, discover new creatures and count from one to ten in this mesmerizing journey.

  5. "Ten Terrible Dinosaurs" by Paul Strickland: Embark on a prehistoric counting adventure with ten mischievous dinosaurs causing chaos at every turn. With dynamic illustrations and witty rhymes, this book is a roaring good time from one to ten.

  6. "Ten Black Dots" by Donald Crews: Explore the creative possibilities of counting with ten black dots in this imaginative and visually stunning book. From one dot to ten, children will delight in the endless ways dots can transform into familiar objects.

  7. "The Crayons Book of Numbers" by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers: Join your favourite colourful crayons as they introduce numbers from one to ten in this playful and interactive counting book. With bold illustrations and clever concepts, it's a colourful celebration of numerals and creativity.

  8. "How Do Dinosaurs Count to Ten?" by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague: Journey into the dinosaur world and learn to count from one to ten with these playful prehistoric creatures. With humorous illustrations and engaging scenarios, this book makes counting a dino-mite adventure.

  9. "Cockatoos" by Quentin Blake: Meet ten cheeky cockatoos causing mischief in this delightful counting book by renowned illustrator Quentin Blake. Blake brings each cockatoo to life with his signature whimsical style as they embark on playful antics from one to ten.

  10. "1, 2, 3 to the Zoo" by Eric Carle: Take a trip to the zoo and count along with Eric Carle's beloved animal illustrations in this classic counting book. From one elephant to ten monkeys, children will delight in the colourful menagerie of creatures on each page.

Beyond picture books, incorporating interactive counting activities into daily routines adds excitement and real-world context to numerical learning. Here are some engaging ideas to try in the classroom:

  1. Daily Counting Rituals: Start each day with a counting ritual, where children count forwards and backwards. Whether it's counting the days of the week, the number of students present, or objects in the classroom, this ritual sets the tone for a day of mathematical exploration.

  2. Pack Up Countdown: Turn packing up at the end of the day into a fun counting game by counting backwards together. As children tidy up their belongings, they eagerly anticipate reaching zero, turning a mundane task into a thrilling challenge.

  3. Classroom Census: Conduct a daily classroom census to foster a sense of community and mathematical awareness. Count the number of boys and girls present daily and chart the results to observe patterns and changes over time.

What counting books do you have in your collection? Have you tried any of the interactive counting activities mentioned above? We'd love to hear from you! Share your favourite counting books and creative teaching ideas in the comments below, and let's inspire each other on this mathematical journey.