5 of the best counting books for babies and children

It’s never too early to instil a love of learning – and in the early years, these fun counting books are a great place to start.

You cannot really do a piece on counting, without including The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Puffin Books).

Eric Carle’s greedy larva is a staple of many children’s bookshelves and now comes in book board, paperback, Kindle edition and as an audiobook.

There are cuddly toys, finger puppets, a stage play and a range of crockery too! But above all this book is a great introduction to the world of numbers as the caterpillar slowly gobbles his way through a selection of fruit, meats and sweets. I always used it at teatime to encourage my daughter to eat her food!

• Age: 18months+
• Price: £3.99
• Available from: Amazon

2. Spot Can Count

For toddlers a good place to begin is with Spot, the inquisitive puppy created by Eric Hill. In Spot Can Count (Puffin Books), we follow the little dog around the farmyard where he meets one mouse under a sack, two squirrels up a tree and so on.

The Spot books are perfect for younger children as their simple illustrations and clear text really appeal.

The perfect book to introduce counting and animals to your child.

• Age: 18months+
• Price: £6.99
• Available from: Amazon

3. Spinderella

In Spinderella (Egmont), the nation’s favourite picture book author, Julia Donaldson manages to combine spiders, football, a Hairy Godmother and counting.

Spinderella wants to play a game of football, but unfortunately for her she doesn’t know how many are supposed to be on a team and she can’t count the goals.

Luckily, her Hairy Godmother has a plan… This, as you would expect, it is a lovely story in its own right, and a fun way to get your child counting.

• Age: 2+
• Price: £3.99
• Available from: Amazon

3. First Numbers

For those starting primary school, there are plenty of books out there which although mainly an educational tool, they hold plenty of entertainment value too.

One such title is First Numbers from Pat-a-Cake Press. Here, children learn the basics of number recognition from 1-20 and how to form the figures – the book comes with a wipe clean pen, which children love – and the bright, cheeky illustrations stop this from feeling like work.

There are also others in the series, including First Phonics and First Writing.

• Age: 3+
• Price: £4.99
• Available from: Amazon

5. Over 80 Number Puzzles

Once your child is at school, why not try Usborne’s Over 80 Number Puzzles, which keeps maths in their minds yet doesn’t feel like homework.

Again this is part of a series (others are Brain Puzzles, Picture Puzzles, Words Puzzles), which involves pitting their wits against various problems and solving number conundrums to break the code.

Pocket-sized and lightweight, this is great for when you are out and about and want to keep them entertained in an educational way!

• Age: 6+
• Price: £5.99
• Available from: Amazon

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