Ok, I’m neither a boy, nor a kid, and I still think that this counting book is seriously cool. Author/Illustrator Christopher Wormell uses linoleum block prints in his book Teeth Tails and Tentacles to illustrate each animal with chunky black lines. Instead of increasing the number of animals per page like most counting books (one dog, two birds, etc.), Wormell prompts the child to count a certain aspect of each animal. For example, two humps on a camel, eight tentacles on an octopus, or eighteen teeth diamonds on a rattlesnake’s back.

Another great thing about this book is that it includes numbers up to 20, rather than just 10 like most counting books.

Best of all, for curious boys and animal lovers, Wormell includes a section in the back that offers a short, informative description of each animal featured.

But lest you think this is the only counting book I like, here’s a list of some other favorites:

1) Doggies: a Counting and Barking Book by Sandra Boynton

Ever notice all the different words we have for dog’s barks? Apparently Sandra Boynton did too. But don’t even bother with this book unless you are prepared to do some serious barking for your child’s entertainment!)

2) Ten Black Dots by Donald Crews

Count the black dots in each picture in this simple book

3) From One to One Hundred by Teri Sloat

This book requires some serious counting. And its not just a counting book, but a seek and find also.

4) The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

(hey, it has numbers in it… it counts!)

5) Ten Apples Up On Top! by Theo. LeSieg (i.e. Dr. Seuss)

This is a classic, fun book to practice counting with.

6) One, Two, Three! by Sandra Boynton

I love this simple book! Each page describes the activity the is best for it’s number of people (or animals).

7) 1 2 3 A Child’s First Counting Book by Alison Jay

So clever! Every page is a picture of a different fairy tale.

8) Hippos Go Berserk! by Sandra Boynton

Ok, so I have a thing for Boynton. She writes fabulously funny board books, and apparently at least three of them are about counting!

9) 1-2-3 Peas by Keith Baker

Baker is another favorite author of mine.

10) Counting on Letters: From A to Z and 1 to 26 by Mark Gonyea

Counting AND Letters! Two for one!

I’d love to hear what your favorite counting book is!

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