Picture books which support early maths skills

Shapes are Fun!

Sharing books can be an excellent way to introduce maths skills to little readers in a fun and interactive way. Whether they are becoming familiar with shapes, learning to count forward and backwards, identifying patterns or comparing sizes; the following books have been carefully selected because they support developing maths skills while maintaining engagement through great storytelling and illustration.

 

  • Number Garden

    Author: Isabel Otter Illustrator: Sophie Ledesma

    Interest level: 4-5

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  • Number Garden

    Author: Isabel Otter Illustrator: Sophie Ledesma

    Interest level: 4-5

    Reading age:

    Nature and numeracy are seamlessly combined in this fun, colourful and informative board book for young readers. Guided by Marigol…

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  • Ten Fat Sausages

    Author: Michelle Robinson Illustrator: Tor Freeman

    Interest level: 4-7

    Reading age: 5+

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  • Ten Fat Sausages

    Author: Michelle Robinson Illustrator: Tor Freeman

    Interest level: 4-7

    Reading age: 5+

    Everything in this sausagey counting book works perfectly: from the big, bold illustration to the satisfying rhyme that works well…

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  • Measuring Me!

    Author: Nicola Kent

    Interest level: 4-5

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  • Measuring Me!

    Author: Nicola Kent

    Interest level: 4-5

    Reading age:

    This charming non-fiction picture book takes a fun and whimsical look at the important early learning concept of measurement. Feat…

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  • Counting Lions

    Author: Katie Cotton Illustrator: Stephen Walton

    Interest level: 3-5

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  • Counting Lions

    Author: Katie Cotton Illustrator: Stephen Walton

    Interest level: 3-5

    Reading age:

    Counting lions is a beautifully illustrated counting book with a strong conservation message. Beginning with one lion and ending w…

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  • Ten Green Bottoms

    Author: Barry Timms Illustrator: Mike Byrne

    Interest level: 2-5

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  • Ten Green Bottoms

    Author: Barry Timms Illustrator: Mike Byrne

    Interest level: 2-5

    Reading age:

    Ten green alien bottoms bounce around, causing mayhem. Based on a well-known song, and with buckets of humour and a light counting…

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  • Counting Sheep

    Author: Michelle Robinson Illustrator: Nikki Dyson

    Interest level: 2-5

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  • Counting Sheep

    Author: Michelle Robinson Illustrator: Nikki Dyson

    Interest level: 2-5

    Reading age:

    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 entertai…

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  • Press Here

    Author: Hervé Tullet

    Interest level: 2+

    Reading age: 5+

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  • Press Here

    Author: Hervé Tullet

    Interest level: 2+

    Reading age: 5+

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

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  • The Shape Game

    Author: Anthony Browne

    Interest level: 7+

    Reading age: 7+

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  • The Shape Game

    Author: Anthony Browne

    Interest level: 7+

    Reading age: 7+

    The Shape Game emerged as a result of Anthony Browne's experiences as Illustrator in Residence at the Tate gallery, and was shortl…

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  • Ten Little Ducklings

    Author: Lucy Rowland Illustrator: Aki

    Interest level: 2-3

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  • Ten Little Ducklings

    Author: Lucy Rowland Illustrator: Aki

    Interest level: 2-3

    Reading age:

    A delightful and interactive rhyming book for little ones which uses the Ten Little Ducklings rhyme, but invents a variety of exci…

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  • Martha Maps it Out

    Author: Leigh Hodgkinson

    Interest level: 4-5

    Reading age: 7+

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  • Martha Maps it Out

    Author: Leigh Hodgkinson

    Interest level: 4-5

    Reading age: 7+

    Martha loves making maps! In this charming and original picture book, follow Martha as she takes you on a tour of her world and sh…

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  • Square

    Author: Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen

    Interest level: 4-7

    Reading age: 5+

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  • Square

    Author: Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen

    Interest level: 4-7

    Reading age: 5+

    Square spends his days piling square blocks. One day, Circle comes along and asks him to make a sculpture of her. Barnett and…

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  • Shapes are Fun!

    Author: Katja Spitzer

    Interest level: 2-5

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  • Shapes are Fun!

    Author: Katja Spitzer

    Interest level: 2-5

    Reading age:

    Starting with some basic shapes (circle, square, rectangle, oval), this well-made hardback presents a quirkier approach to a basic…

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  • Rosie Revere, Engineer

    Author: Andrea Beaty Illustrator: David Roberts

    Interest level: 4+

    Reading age: 7+

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  • Rosie Revere, Engineer

    Author: Andrea Beaty Illustrator: David Roberts

    Interest level: 4+

    Reading age: 7+

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

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  • The Mightiest Bite

    Author: Howard Calvert Illustrator: Mike Moran

    Interest level: 6-7

    Reading age: 7+

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  • The Mightiest Bite

    Author: Howard Calvert Illustrator: Mike Moran

    Interest level: 6-7

    Reading age: 7+

    In this fun and riotous picture book, a cast of animals – some big and some bite-sized - squabble it out over who has the mighties…

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