Ten great story books that promote early maths skills

Maths is an important aspect of development for young children. Number skills alongside learning shape, space and measure are important skills needed in adult life. Maths development can be supported through the use of stories and books. Here are 10 top books that promote maths in the early years.

1.  On the Launch Pad: A counting book about rockets written by Michael Dahl. This counting book will be popular with any children who love space and rockets! It counts down from 12 to one, teaching the children about number order.
2. One is a Snail, Ten is a Crab written by April Pulley Sayre. This is a fun way of counting the feet that different creatures have. The children will love looking at the colourful pictures and helping to count the feet on each page.
3. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. This classic favourite not only teaches children about life cycles, but also has early maths skills. The children are able count the fruit that the caterpillar eats, and gain an early awareness of value.
4. One Duck Stuck by Phyllis Root. This is a story about a duck who gets stuck, with groups of animals trying to pull him free. The story builds anticipation whilst the children count the animals.
5. Ten Stars Twinkle by Julie Aigner-Clark. This Baby Einstein book allows young children to count the glittery stars, losing one each time until the moon comes out. Children are able to experience early maths skills whilst feeling the book.
6. Round is a Mooncake: A Book of shapes by Roseanne Thong. This is a story about a little girl who finds a range of different shaped items outside. It is very culturally diverse, with the items ranging from a pizza box to Chinese lace.
7. Goldilocks and the three bears by Nicola Baxter. This classic story tells how Goldilocks makes herself at home in the bears house eating their porridge and sleeping in their beds. It allows the children to talk about sizes of the items for all three bears in the house.
8. What’s the time, Mr Wolf? by Annie Kubler. This finger puppet story teaches children about telling the time, as they move through the day with Mr Wolf, anticipating lunchtime.
9. How many seeds in a pumpkin? by Margaret McNamara. This story allows children to explore early maths skills through estimation. It allows children to problem solve and offer their thoughts and opinions.
10. Ten Little Dinosaurs by Mike Brownlow. This story teaches children about counting up to 10 through the use of rhyme. There are others versions available, such as Ten Little Princesses or Ten Little Pirates.