Counting Picture Books

     Counting picture books are a great way to work with your kids to help them learn their numbers in a fun way as well as other early literacy skills. Asking open ended questions about the book and it's characters is a good way to work on your child's narrative skills.
     The following are some reviews of counting picture books.
     Two at the Zoo: A counting book is written by Danna Smith and illustrated by Valeria Petrone. This book is about a boy and his grandfather as they take a trip to the zoo and count how many of each kind of animal there are. The bright illustrations, few words to a page and rhyming will make this book a delight for early readers.
     Star Wars 123 is a scholastic book ideal for any Star Wars lover. The book counts different characters of the movies from Yoda the 1 Grand Master Jedi to 100 stormtroopers. This is a board book that has a lot of Star Wars jargon and some scary creatures from the movies so this book has a niche audience, but great for those kids who can't get enough of Star Wars.
     First Number Book is by Patti Barber and Ann Montagne. This counting picture book has very bright pictures and easy words and sentences. The counting isn't straight forward which I like because I think sometimes kids memorize the order in which the numbers go and assume that 4 comes after 3. It's nice if they can recognize how many of something there are or a number if they aren't in order because then they actually know the number and not just that it comes after or before another number. This book also asks questions that are outside of the book such as how many toes are on both of your feet or do any of your toys have a straight line. I think this aspect makes it much more interactive. The book also provides suggestions for parents in the beginning and a poster at the end.
     Chicka Chicka 123 is by Bill Martin Jr, Michael Sampson, and Lois Ehlert. It's hard to read this book and not sign it. The repetition and rhyming are the kicker. I love the Chicka Chicka books because they are just plain fun to read with the numbers coming to life and the bright colors this book is sure to entertain young readers.
     Counting Crocodiles is written by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Will Hillenbrand. This counting picture book is about a sly little monkey who talks the crocodiles into lining up so that he can get to another island and get bananas without the crocodile eating the little monkey. The monkey says line up so I can count you and count them he does, but not before getting his bananas. As the monkey counts the crocodiles he rhymes them with their activities. This is a cute book that has a plot other than just counting though there is enough counting that young readers will still get some good experience with numbers.