Learning to count can be fun—and as easy as 1, 2, 3! Especially with picture books that bring numbers to life. Kids will love counting colorful animals, lively characters and even everyday objects. Bonus? They can practice their reading skills, too.
Here are our 10 favorite counting books on Epic. Enjoy!
1. Kahlo’s Koalas: 1, 2, 3, Count Art With Me
Written By: Grace Helmer
Age Range: 0–4 years
Introduce kids to different art styles with this one-of-a-kind counting book. Colorful illustrations inspired by famous artists—from Frieda Kahlo to Vincent Van Gogh to Andy Warhol—make each page a feast for the eyes. Alliteration makes it fun to read aloud.
2. Teddy Bear Counting
Written By: Barbara Barbieri McGrath
Age Range: 3–5 years
There’s so much to love about this fun counting book. Cute gummy bears showcase the numbers one through 12—and that’s only the beginning. The bears also cover colors, shapes and simple addition, subtraction and multiplication. Concepts are brought to life with fun rhyming text.
3. The Very Cold, Freezing, No-Number Day
Written By: Ashley N. Sorenson
Illustrated By: David Miles
Age Range: 5-6 years
This unique counting book invites kids to trace, blow on and count the numbers to unfreeze them. In the process, they will learn colors, seasons, patterns, and numbers. With its clever wordplay, interactive text, and vibrant illustrations, this book offers a fresh and creative approach to teaching numbers.
4. The One and Only 1, 2, 3 Book
By: R. O. Blechman
Age Range: 0–4
In this lighthearted counting book, 10 animated numerals take turns introducing themselves, gradually filling up empty pages with chickens, airplanes, dancing frogs and more. Kids will love the quirky illustrations and playful humor on every page.
5. One to Ten in Hawaii
By: Jane Gillespie
Illustrated by: Kristi Petosa-Sigel
Age Range: 3–7
Teach kids how to count to ten in English, Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Samoan, Vietnamese and Spanish. With beautiful illustrations of Hawaiian wildlife, this counting book lets kids explore math concepts, culture and the natural world around them.
Find these books and 40,000 more on Epic! Get an Epic Family subscription.
6. Counting With/Contando Con Frida
By: Patty Rodriguez, Ariana Stein
Age Range: 0-4
Frida Kahlo has become one of the world’s most famous Latin American painters and a symbol of strength for so many. This counting book will introduce little ones to her extraordinary life, while also teaching them numbers in English and Spanish. Visit her Casa Azul in Mexico City, discover five colorful portraits, count her ten toes, and walk your child through Frida’s magical world!
7. Count on It
By: Wiley Blevins
Illustrated by: Elliot Kreloff
Age range: 3-7
Gigi’s birthday party is sure to captivate young readers in this one-to-ten counting book. Kids are invited to interact with the book, tapping, tracing or counting items as the birthday girl plans her big day. Whether it’s one birthday cake, five snack bowls or nine friends, colorful illustrations make learning numbers fun.
8. From One to Ten
By: Mies Van Hout
Age range: 0-4
With vivid colors and energetic, kid-friendly animal illustrations, this counting book doubles up the learning by including numbers and descriptive words matched to Dutch artist Mies van Hout’s striking art. Little ones can count the fish’s stripes and the monkey’s fingers, or learn the letters in words such as whiskers, wings, and ears.
9. Ten Little Surfers
By: Catherine Payne
Illustrated by: Jamie Meckel Tablason
Age range: 0-4
Follow these carefree little surfers as they head out to catch some waves and count down from ten to one. With lively illustrations and fun-to-read poetic verse, this counting book is sure to get kids excited about numbers.
10. My Pets And Me 1, 2, 3: A Pets Counting Book
By: Tracey E. Dils
Age range: 0-4
Kids love pets! Get them excited to learn about numbers with this book featuring some of their favorite domestic animals, from hamsters and turtles to dogs and cats. Real photographs and fun facts add to the fun and help fuel kids’ curiosity.
Our list of counting books has come to an end, but your child’s journey to learn has only just begun. If you don’t have one already, an Epic Family subscription gives you anytime access to over 40,000 books, including thousands of great bedtime stories. Learn more and subscribe.
Happy counting!
