Best Math Books for Preschoolers

Math books for kids paired with supporting preschool math activities are a powerful combo for preschoolers. Kids love a good story—and when that story includes counting cookies or spotting shapes at the park, they’re all in. Picture books have a way of making math concepts come to life and feel relatable, so why not include have a set of children’s books for every math concept we teach in preschool? Well, I’m going to share some of our favorites!

If your traditional preschool math activities aren’t getting traction in your classroom, then maybe try adding in some math picture books. Maybe your preschoolers need stories, laughter, and a chance to get their hands moving. This list of books can bring early math concepts into the classroom without any pressure, just play. One minute, the class is giggling over a bear who can’t count his socks; the next, they’re off finding matching socks in the dramatic play center.

This kind of learning fits right into everyday routines and gives children a reason to talk about math without even realizing they’re doing it. And math talk has loads of benefits! Whether it’s counting, comparing, or noticing patterns, it all starts with a story—and ends with a whole lot of excited preschoolers.

Read this: Daily Lessons in Preschool Mathematics Curriculum.

Math Books for Preschoolers

Math picture books for preschoolers should be visually appealing, interactive, and engaging. They often incorporate playful rhymes and colorful illustrations to capture a child’s attention. 

Here are some key topics you might find in these books:

• Number Sense
• Counting
• Comparing & Sorting
• Graphing
• Positions & Patterns
• Measurement
• Order & Position (ie: first, next, last)
• Addition & Subtraction

Best Math Books for Kids

These books cleverly weave math concepts into pictures and stories. Your preschoolers will be so engrossed in these fun picture books, that they might not even realize they are doing the “work” of learning math!

Here are some of our favorite math picture books:

One is A Snail, Ten is A Crab by April Pulley Sayre and Jeff Sayre

Dive into an ocean adventure and learn to count from 1 to 10! This exciting book is filled with friendly ocean creatures that will help your little ones discover numbers along the way. 

How Do Dinosaurs Count to Ten? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague

Get ready for BIG fun! This award-winning team brings their beloved dinosaurs to life in this delightful board book. Roar along as your little ones learn to count from one to ten with these playful prehistoric pals!

Circus Shapes by Stuart J. Murphy

From the elephants marching in a perfect circle to the daring tigers leaping through a fiery triangle, every page brings shapes to life with vibrant pictures and playful rhymes. This delightful book is perfect for pre-K and kindergarteners, making shape recognition a journey filled with wonder and laughter!

Is a Blue Whale the Biggest Thing There Is? by Robert E. Wells

You probably know that the blue whale is the biggest creature on earth. But did you know that a hollow Mount Everest could hold billions of whales inside? This book takes you on an amazing journey to explore how big things can be, and how they compare to each other!

Read this: Easy Preschool Math Activities

Hippos Go Berserk! by Sandra Boynton

Hippos Go Berserk is the first published book by children’s author Sandra Boynton, perfect for creating giggles on car rides, before bed, or anytime you’re ready for a party! This fun book uses silly rhymes and playful illustrations to introduce counting and subtraction.

The Best Bug Parade by Stuart J. Murphy

Is it the bouncy caterpillar or the spiky stink bug? Find out in this colorful adventure as all the creepy crawlies in Ladybug’s garden line up for the biggest and best bug parade ever! With simple, rhyming text and playful pictures, this book is a perfect introduction to comparing sizes.

The Greedy Triangle by Marilyn Burns

Get ready for a shape adventure! This exciting math picture book features playful characters who teach children all about shapes and their properties in a fun and interactive way.

When a Line Bends…A Shape Begins by Rhonda Gowler Greene

This book takes children on a journey of shapes, exploring how lines and curves combine to create different forms. It is full of rhyming fun and “look and find” pictures where the children get to search for a variety of shapes.

Read this: Fun Ideas for Teaching Preschool Math

The Berenstain Bears Inside, Outside, Upside Down by Stan & Jan Bernstein

Simple, colorful art and playful rhyming text make this a perfect choice for children learning about spatial concepts like up, down, inside, and outside. Join Brother Bear on his exciting journey and learn with him along the way.

A Pair of Socks by Stuart J. Murphy

Get ready for giggles! This book makes understanding comparisons a breeze, with clear examples that show how math works in everyday life. Plus, it includes engaging activities for adults and kids to do together, extending the learning and making math fun at home!

Mouse Shapes by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Mouse Shapes is a fun-filled adventure book with three playful mice! Join them as they use just a few ovals, circles, and triangles to create a world of amazing things.

Just a Little Bit by Ann Tompert

In Just a Little Bit, an elephant and a mouse discover they need help from animal friends to balance on a seesaw. This playful story makes learning about weight and balance a fun adventure.

Mr. Noisy’s Book of Patterns by Rozanne L. Williams

Mr. Noisy’s Book of Patterns is a fun story filled with illustrations that will help your preschoolers learn about patterns in everyday life. This engaging book uses easy-to-read text, rhymes, and songs to keep children interested and support their reading development.

One Chicky, Two Chicky: A Counting Book by Cheryl Casey

Get ready to cluck-le and count with this silly rhyming adventure! These adorable chicks aren’t just learning their numbers; in the book’s first half, they’re rhyming from 1 to 10. In the second half, the fun gets interactive! Kids can test their counting skills by tapping the correct number on each page. A pop-up surprise lets them know if they got it right, making learning numbers a blast!

PreK Math Books for Kids

Looking for more ideas? Check out these other recommendations.

• 72 Math Picture Books for Preschoolers
• Preschool Math Concepts

How to Use Picture Books to Teach Preschool Math

Picture books can be a springboard for interactive and engaging math lessons. Here are some tips on using them effectively:

• Read aloud with enthusiasm– Use expressive voices and emphasize key math concepts.
• Point to objects and shapes– This helps children make connections between the words and pictures.
• Ask open-ended questions– “How many birds are there?” or “Can you find all the circles on the page?”
• Incorporate movement and songs– Counting songs and fingerplays can make learning more fun.
• Connect math to everyday activities– While baking cookies, count ingredients or shapes.

Preschool classrooms should be bursting with stories—and that includes stories full of numbers, shapes, and patterns! Math books for kids are a playful way to sneak math into storytime, turning counting and problem-solving into part of the fun. Whether it’s helping a character share snacks or find the biggest hat, these books make math feel real and fun.

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