Storytelling is a joyful and powerful way to introduce foundational math concepts to young children. When combined with imaginative illustrations and engaging narratives, counting becomes a meaningful and memorable experience. In this article, we’re excited to spotlight three captivating children’s books that gently introduce early numeracy, along with hands-on activities that encourage children to practise counting in real-life scenarios. These activities not only strengthen math skills, but also promote curiosity, observation, and problem-solving in fun, developmentally appropriate ways.
Book 1: Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh
Mouse Count is a clever and suspenseful story that invites children to count along as a hungry snake captures and then loses a group of clever mice. With its clear structure and rhythmic storytelling, this book provides a natural introduction to counting forward and backward from 1 to 10.
We especially love how the book builds tension in a way that keeps children engaged while reinforcing number sequencing. The bold illustrations and simple language make it an ideal choice for Foundation Year learners just beginning to explore counting concepts.
To extend the learning, we’ve paired this story with the activity “Counting Mice: Counting Forward.” After reading, children use mouse cutouts and a jar prop to practise counting forward just like in the story. This interactive experience helps reinforce one-to-one correspondence and numerical order in a hands-on and playful way.
Download free activity here: Counting Mice: Counting Forward
Book 2: One Duck Stuck by Phyllis Root
One Duck Stuck is an energetic, rhyming story that introduces counting through repetition and movement. As one duck finds itself stuck in the muck, various animals arrive in growing numbers to help—and children are invited to count along with each group.
We’re drawn to the joyful rhythm and rhyme of this book, which naturally invites participation. Its repetitive structure supports early readers, while the escalating number of animals helps build understanding of quantity and sequence.
Inspired by this story, we developed the activity “Duck Stuck in the Muck.” Children explore counting and number recognition by acting out the story with toy animals or flashcards, helping the duck with each new group of rescuers. This active learning approach reinforces number sense while also encouraging teamwork and creative play.
Download free activity here: Duck Stuck in the Muck
Book 3: Anno’s Counting Book by Mitsumasa Anno
Anno’s Counting Book is a beautifully illustrated, wordless journey through the changing seasons and the numbers 1 to 12. Each page features a quiet, detailed landscape where children are invited to observe and count elements in the scene—from trees and windows to people and animals.
What makes this book so special is its gentle invitation to explore numbers in everyday life. The lack of text encourages children to slow down, look closely, and engage deeply with the illustrations. It’s a wonderful tool for developing visual literacy, counting skills, and an appreciation for nature’s patterns.
We’ve developed an engaging activity to accompany Anno’s Counting Book, designed to encourage children to create their own seasonal counting scenes. This hands-on project promotes observation, creativity, and number awareness in an open-ended, exploratory format. Explore free activity here: My Number Story.
Books like Mouse Count, One Duck Stuck, and Anno’s Counting Book bring early math to life in ways that are meaningful, playful, and deeply engaging. When paired with thoughtful, hands-on activities, these stories offer children opportunities to practise essential counting skills while fostering a love of books and numbers. Together, they help lay the foundation for confident, curious learners who delight in the magic of storytelling and the logic of numbers.
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