Books Lists
10+ Best Counting Books for 2-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)
Are you on the hunt for the perfect counting books for 2-year-olds to kickstart your little one's learning adventure? You're in the right place! Counting books are a fantastic tool to help toddlers grasp the basics of numbers in a fun and engaging way. Keep reading as we explore a variety of counting books for 2-year-olds that are sure to captivate and educate your child, making learning as exciting as playtime!
Table of Contents
Fun Counting Books for 2-Year-Olds
- Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
- Genre(s): Children's Literature, Counting Book
- Synopsis: This charming book features babies from different backgrounds and shows how each of them has ten little fingers and ten little toes.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a delightful read that introduces counting in a fun, rhythmic way. The repetition and rhyming are perfect for toddler engagement.
- Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy rhythmic stories and learning about diversity through simple concepts.
- Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3 by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
- Genre(s): Children's Literature, Counting Book
- Synopsis: Numbers climb up a coconut tree in this lively counting book, but will there be enough room for all of them?
- Why we recommend this book: It offers a fun and colorful way to learn numbers, with a catchy rhyme that keeps kids interested.
- Perfect for: Young children who enjoy vibrant, energetic stories that make learning numbers playful.
- One Duck Stuck by Phyllis Root, illustrated by Jane Chapman
- Genre(s): Children's Literature, Counting Book
- Synopsis: A duck gets stuck in the mud and various groups of other animals try to help him out, counting their way from one to ten.
- Why we recommend this book: The repetitive and rhythmic phrases help children anticipate and remember the numbers, making it an interactive reading experience.
- Perfect for: Kids who like animals and stories that involve teamwork and problem-solving.
- Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow
- Genre(s): Children's Literature, Counting Book
- Synopsis: This energetic book follows five mischievous monkeys as they jump on the bed and, one by one, bump their heads.
- Why we recommend this book: It's great for teaching numbers through repetition and humor, plus the story's rhythm can help develop language skills.
- Perfect for: Children who find joy in playful mischief and rhythmic, repetitive texts.
- Counting Kisses by Karen Katz
- Genre(s): Children's Literature, Counting Book
- Synopsis: A tired baby gets kissed from head to toe by her family, with the number of kisses decreasing from ten to one.
- Why we recommend this book: It combines the concept of counting with the warmth of family affection, making it a soothing bedtime read.
- Perfect for: Babies and toddlers who enjoy bedtime stories and the comfort of counting combined with gentle, loving interactions.
Educational Counting Books for 2-Year-Olds
- 1, 2, 3 to the Zoo by Eric Carle
- Genre(s): Children's Literature, Counting Book
- Synopsis: This engaging book takes children on a journey through a zoo, counting the animals from one to ten as they go.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Number recognition, counting skills, animal recognition
- Why we recommend this book: It combines the joy of visiting animals with the educational task of counting, all presented through Carle's captivating illustrations.
- Perfect for: Young animal lovers and early learners who are just starting to explore numbers.
- My Very First Book of Numbers by Eric Carle
- Genre(s): Children's Literature, Counting Book
- Synopsis: This interactive board book allows children to match numbers with corresponding groups of objects.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Number recognition, counting, fine motor skills through page turning and matching
- Why we recommend this book: It encourages hands-on learning through matching and provides a solid foundation for numerical skills.
- Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to learn about numbers and parents seeking an interactive reading experience.
- Over in the Meadow by Olive A. Wadsworth, illustrated by Jill McDonald
- Genre(s): Children's Literature, Counting Book, Nature
- Synopsis: This traditional rhyme introduces children to various animals and their babies, counting them from one to ten.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting, early literacy, animal and habitat recognition
- Why we recommend this book: It's a lyrical exploration of meadow life that enhances counting skills while introducing children to nature's diversity.
- Perfect for: Young nature enthusiasts and children who enjoy stories with rhythmic, sing-song text.
- Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh
- Genre(s): Children's Literature, Counting Book
- Synopsis: In this suspenseful story, a group of mice tries to avoid being eaten by a clever snake who wants to count them into his jar.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting, basic arithmetic, problem-solving
- Why we recommend this book: It offers a thrilling narrative that keeps children engaged while they learn to count and think strategically.
- Perfect for: Kids who enjoy a bit of excitement with their learning and parents who appreciate stories that teach math concepts.
- Ten Black Dots by Donald Crews
- Genre(s): Children's Literature, Counting Book
- Synopsis: This book explores what you can do with ten black dots, from making a sun to creating wheels on a bus.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting, creativity, and imagination
- Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to think creatively about numbers and objects around them.
- Perfect for: Young learners who are exploring counting and parents looking for books that stimulate imagination and creativity.
Challenging Counting Books for 2-Year-Olds
- Anno's Counting Book by Mitsumasa Anno
- Genre(s): Children's Literature, Counting Book
- Synopsis: Through beautiful illustrations, this book takes the reader through the numbers 0 to 12, showcasing different scenes and concepts at each number.
- Why this book is challenging: It introduces more complex counting concepts and goes beyond the basic 1-10 counting norm, reaching up to 12 and including zero, which is often omitted in early counting books.
- Why we recommend this book: It helps expand a child's understanding of numbers and counting in a visual and engaging way.
- Perfect for: Children who are ready to explore numbers beyond the usual scope and who enjoy detailed illustrations.
- Fish Eyes: A Book You Can Count On by Lois Ehlert
- Genre(s): Children's Literature, Counting Book
- Synopsis: This vibrant book offers a fun and colorful underwater adventure where children can count fish and explore simple math concepts.
- Why this book is challenging: It incorporates basic addition and subtraction within the counting narrative, making it a more advanced counting experience.
- Why we recommend this book: The engaging, brightly colored illustrations and interactive math concepts make learning numbers exciting.
- Perfect for: Young learners who enjoy interactive counting and are beginning to show interest in basic arithmetic.
- Zero Is The Leaves On The Tree by Betsy Franco, illustrated by Shino Arihara
- Genre(s): Children's Literature, Counting Book
- Synopsis: It creatively explores the concept of zero through various natural and everyday scenes, helping children understand the concept of 'none' or 'zero'.
- Why this book is challenging: The concept of zero is abstract and typically not introduced at such an early age, making it a stimulating challenge for young minds.
- Why we recommend this book: It introduces a fundamental mathematical concept in a simple, relatable way that resonates with everyday experiences.
- Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to grasp basic counting and ready to understand more abstract numerical concepts.
- One Gorilla: A Counting Book by Anthony Browne
- Genre(s): Children's Literature, Counting Book
- Synopsis: This book is a simple yet striking counting book that features primates, culminating in a celebration of human uniqueness.
- Why this book is challenging: It not only teaches counting but also introduces primatology and the concept of species diversity.
- Why we recommend this book: The detailed illustrations of primates captivate children while they learn to count and appreciate biological diversity.
- Perfect for: Young readers interested in animals and nature, as well as those learning to count.
- Apple Countdown by Joan Holub, illustrated by Jan Smith
- Genre(s): Children's Literature, Counting Book
- Synopsis: Field trip day is here, and Mrs. Bindergarten’s class is going to the apple orchard, where they count everything from one to twenty.
- Why this book is challenging: It pushes the counting boundaries for toddlers by extending all the way up to twenty, often higher than typical counting books.
- Why we recommend this book: It combines the fun of a field trip with educational counting practice, making learning seamless and enjoyable.
- Perfect for: Preschoolers who are mastering counting past ten and enjoy thematic learning experiences.
Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit
Hey there! If you're exploring counting books with your 2-year-old, you're already on a fantastic path to nurturing a love for reading. Here are some fun and simple exercises that can enhance this learning experience, making it even more engaging and beneficial for your little one.
- Count Along Finger Play
- What it is: Use finger movements to represent numbers as you read.
- How it helps: Enhances understanding of numbers and promotes motor skills.
- Tips: Encourage your child to lift the corresponding number of fingers for each number read.
- Number Hunt
- What it is: After reading, have a small scavenger hunt around the house for items that match numbers from the book.
- How it helps: Reinforces number recognition and counting in a practical context.
- Tips: Start with small numbers and increase as your child becomes more comfortable.
- Create Your Own Number Book
- What it is: Together with your child, create a homemade book where each page represents a different number.
- How it helps: Encourages creativity and helps in understanding and remembering numbers.
- Tips: Use stickers, drawings, or magazine cutouts to represent each number.
- Sing Number Songs
- What it is: Sing songs or rhymes that involve numbers and counting.
- How it helps: Makes learning numbers fun and memorable through music.
- Tips: Incorporate songs from the counting book if available, or use classics like "Five Little Ducks."
- Interactive Reading
- What it is: Ask your child to point out and count objects on each page as you read.
- How it helps: Builds counting skills and keeps them engaged during reading.
- Tips: Praise their efforts frequently to keep them motivated and excited about learning.
By integrating these exercises into your reading routine, you're not just helping your child learn to count—you're also setting a strong foundation for a lifelong love of books. Have fun counting and exploring together!