The Best Number Books for Babies and Toddlers

You might have started teaching Baby to count using their very own tiny fingers and toes. But to help little ones learn to recognize numbers, it’s beneficial to see them printed in a book. Each of these number books connects the dots between the numerals on the page and the quantity they represent, all while telling a story that makes numbers fun. So, try one of these number books—you can count on them to teach babies and toddlers what they need to know!

Baby’s Numbers

Written and illustrated by Karen Katz

Even infants can enjoy this sweet board book in which a baby sees one cuddly kitty, two red shoes, and so on up to 10. They’ll be counting the minutes until you read it again!

One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller

Written and illustrated by Kate Read

This award-winning kids’ book will surely keep your tot on their toes! Here, one hungry fox with two sly eyes spies three plump hens...and you think you know where the story is going. But you don’t! Colorful and fun, kiddos love learning their numbers through with this gripping little story.

Doggies

Written and illustrated by by Sandra Boynton

One dog goes woof. Two dogs go woof, yap yap. By the time you get to nine dogs you’ll be howling—literally! With its silly sounds and hilarious animal illustrations, Doggies is the perfect early numbers book for babies and toddlers.

My Very First Book of Numbers

Written and illustrated by Eric Carle

This interactive board book with a unique split-page design allows your little one to match numerals with the correct number of objects. Flip through until you find a pair of bananas that match the number two or the group of plums numbering eight.

Turtle Splash! Countdown at the Pond

Written and illustrated by Cathryn Falwell

What’s more fun than learning to count? Counting backward, of course. We begin with 10 timid turtles lounging on a log over a pond. One is startled by a bullfrog and jumps into the pond, leaving nine behind. You can probably guess the rest.

10 Black Dots

Written and illustrated by Donald Crews

Picture a round black dot. What else could it represent? The author of this wildly creative numbers book invites little ones to imagine that one black dot can be a sun while two black dots can be the eyes of a fox. A wonderful tool for learning numbers while thinking outside the box.

Ten Little Ladybugs

Written by Melanie Gerth, illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith

Another beloved countdown book for babies and toddlers, Ten Little Ladybugs features finger-friendly cutouts and 3-D ladybugs that bring the meaning of numbers to life.

123 Peas

Written and illustrated by Keith Baker

Tiny green peas live exciting lives (fishing, boating, painting) in this adorable numbers book that increases its crowd of peas with every page. What makes 123 Peas extra special is that it introduces numbers all the way up to 100!

For more great baby and toddler book ideas, check these out:

The Best ABC Books for Babies and Toddlers

Animal Books for Tots

Our Favorite Books for Toddlers Ages 1-5

16 Best Bedtime Books for Little Ones

Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.