List
Books about Early Math for Ages 3–5 and Caregivers
Math opportunities are everywhere, from sorting laundry to cooking to looking for patterns in nature. Early math achievement is highly predictive of later math and reading success, so check out these engaging picture books and caregiver guides that will foster the idea that math learning is for everyone and can be a fun part of kids' everyday lives.
Note: Originally developed for D69 TOPS Preschool Parent Group.
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Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3
2004 by Martin, BillGet this itemNumbers from 1 to 100 climb to the top of an apple tree in this catchy, rhyming chant.
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20 Big Trucks in the Middle of the Street
2013 by Lee, MarkGet this itemIf you're a little boy on a bike, a broken-down ice cream truck on your street is always a welcome sight. But what if it blocks the mail truck behind it?
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One Minute
2016 by Ahn, SominGet this itemIn one minute, you can blink your eyes 20 times, hug your dog, plant seeds, say goodbye, watch the rain, or even save a life.
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1 Big Salad
2016 by Medina, JuanaGet this itemCount from 1 avocado deer to 2 radish mice all the way up to 10 clementine kitties--they all add up to one big, delicious salad!
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Triangle
2017 by Barnett, MacGet this itemThe first in a very funny trilogy about some super-sneaky shapes. Also, look for Square; and Circle.
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Mouse Shapes
2007 by Walsh, Ellen StollGet this itemWhat can you make with one oval, two circles, and eight triangles? Just ask three clever mice, who even find a funny way to trick a pouncing cat.
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Inch by Inch
2010 by Lionni, LeoGet this itemTo keep from being eaten, an inchworm measures a robin's tail, a flamingo's neck, a toucan's beak, a heron's legs, and a nightingale's song. This title is also available as a downloadable video on Hoopla.
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Round Is a Tortilla: A Book of Shapes
2013 by Thong, RoseanneGet this itemDiscover shapes all around you--rectangles are ice-cream carts and stone metates, while triangles are slices of watermelon and quesadillas. Also, see Round Is a Mooncake by the same author.
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Bees, Snails, & Peacock Tails
2008 by Franco, BetsyGet this itemCome explore the hidden shapes and patterns in nature. The peacock's flashy tail is a masterpiece of color and shape. A buzzing beehive is built of tiny hexagons. Even a snake's skin is patterned with diamonds.
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You Are (Not) Small
2014 by Kang, AnnaGet this itemTwo fuzzy creatures can't agree on who is small and who is big, until a couple of surprise guests show up, settling it once and for all! This title is also available as a downloadable video on Hoopla.
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A Pair of Socks
1996 by Murphy, Stuart J.Get this itemDoes a polka-dotted sock match a striped sock? Learn about matching, an important math skill, as a lonely striped sock searches the house for its mate.
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So Light, So Heavy
2018 by Strasser, SusanneGet this itemThe elephant is so heavy, and all the other animals are so light. How will the seesaw ever go up and down?
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Bedtime Math
2013 by Overdeck, LauraGet this itemMore than 100 kid-friendly math problems range from jalapeños and submarines to roller coasters and flamingos, designed to make math a fun part of kids' everyday lives.
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Up, down, Move around--Math and Literacy
2013 by Michals, Deborah KaytonGet this itemActivities like the Syllable Freeze Dance and Math Orchestra help young children develop number sense, practice counting and rhyming, and learn about letter shapes and story structure.
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Loose Parts: Inspiring Play in Young Children
2015 by Daly, LisaGet this itemLoose parts are found, bought, or upcycled natural or synthetic materials. This creative and innovative book comes with many ideas for open-ended play, as well as developing all kinds of early math skills like counting, sorting, and classifying.
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