Picture books which support early maths skills

A selection of books which support early maths skills while maintaining engagement through great storytelling and illustration.

An illustration of a black and white sheep dog happily playing with sheep
  • Press Here

    by Hervé Tullet 

    2011 2 to 9 years 

    • Interactive

    An ingenious picture book that uses the power of the imagination to create a fun interactive experience for children aged two upwards

  • Ten Little Ducklings

    by Lucy Rowland, illustrated by Aki 

    2024 2 to 4 years 

    • Interactive
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    A delightful and interactive rhyming book for little ones which uses the Ten Little Ducklings rhyme, but invents a variety of exciting adventures for the ducklings instead, asking readers to play hide and seek with the adorable little ducks. 

  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar

    by Eric Carle 

    1994 2 to 7 years 

    • Classics
    • Picture books

    Little fingers will love to follow the very hungry caterpillar as he munches his way through the pages of this classic, colourful, interactive picture book.

  • Ten Green Bottoms

    by Barry Timms, illustrated by Mike Byrne 

    2024 2 to 7 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    Ten green alien bottoms bounce around, causing mayhem. Based on a well-known song, and with buckets of humour and a light counting theme, this is a very enjoyable read.

  • Counting Sheep

    by Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Nikki Dyson 

    2024 2 to 7 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    Sam the farm dog tries to settle the animals down at bedtime, but they are full of energy and in no mood for sleeping. An entertaining picture book which will help young readers develop their counting skills.

  • Deg Deinosor Bach / Ten Little Dinosaurs

    by Mike Brownlow, illustrated by Simon Rickerty 

    2016 2 to 9 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    A rampage through the world of dinosaurs from the perspective of little dinosaurs.

  • Ten Fat Sausages

    by Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Tor Freeman 

    2018 4 to 9 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    Everything in this sausagey counting book works perfectly: from the big, bold illustration to the satisfying rhyme that works well for preschoolers. It will also entertain adults and older children, who will really get the silly humour.

  • Torla & Smorla and the Lower than Average Cloud

    by Kes Gray, illustrated by Chris Jevons 

    2024 4 to 7 years 

    • Adventure
    • Funny
    • Picture books

    When giraffes Torla and Smorla go for a walk, Torla can’t see, as her head is stuck in a cloud, so Smorla guides her around the various obstacles they encounter on their journey. A delightfully funny picture book about trust and friendship. 

  • Rosie Revere, Engineer

    by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts 

    2013 4 to 9 years 

    • Picture books

    Rosie Revere dreams of becoming a great engineer. She creates wonderful gadgets and gizmos – but only when no one is watching.

  • Martha Maps it Out

    by Leigh Hodgkinson 

    2022 4 to 7 years 

    • Around the world
    • Picture books

    Martha loves making maps! In this charming and original picture book, follow Martha as she takes you on a tour of her world and shares her hopes and dreams for the future.

  • Measuring Me!

    by Nicola Kent 

    2024 4 to 7 years 

    • Non-fiction
    • Picture books

    This charming non-fiction picture book takes a fun and whimsical look at the important early learning concept of measurement. Features a colourful, illustrated size chart that little learners can pull out and colour in themselves!

  • Number Garden

    by Isabel Otter, illustrated by Sophie Ledesma 

    2024 4 to 7 years 

    • Board books
    • Interactive
    • Non-fiction
    • Picture books

    Nature and numeracy are seamlessly combined in this fun, colourful and informative board book for young readers. Guided by Marigold the tortoise, young children will visit a variety of gardens and practise counting up to ten. 

  • The Mightiest Bite

    by Howard Calvert, illustrated by Mike Moran 

    2023 5 to 9 years 

    • Adventure
    • Funny
    • Picture books

    In this fun and riotous picture book, a cast of animals – some big and some bite-sized – squabble it out over who has the mightiest bite of all… A young girl takes a chomp out of a juicy apple and wonders whether she might just have the mightiest bite in the entire world. However, it is not long before a rabbit, a dog, a piranha, a hippo, and a whole host of bite‑y animals arrive on the scene to prove themselves the mightiest.