Every book ever written has something to do with maths. Counting, measuring, time, money, shapes, patterns - they're all in there somewhere! Maths Year 2000 wants everyone to know that learning to count is as important as learning to read. If you use them with thought and enthusiasm, counting books can be a rich source of fun.
Count on Goz
Steve Weatherill
Frances Lincoln, £4.99
This flap book features a baby gosling looking for his gander. Ask what's behind the flap before you lift it. "Oh look, Goz is upside down! And now he's right side up!" Talk about what's on the next or previous page, what's first, last, in front, behind, to right and left - all increase spatial awareness.
As Goz searches for the other goslings he comes upon other farm animals. Before you turn the next flap, ask: "Now, how many kittens do you think the cat will have?" Give your child plenty of time to ask questions and make their own discoveries.
Over on the Farm - A Counting Picture Book Rhyme
Christopher Gunson
Picture Corgi, £4.99
The enchanting pictures with a summer glow accompany a text so rhythmic you will not be able to stop your child clapping or singing. Sing the rhythm or tap it out with your child's fingers. Count the animals on each page or try counting in twos for ears or eyes. Is the ladybird the same one on each page? How can you tell?
I Can Count
Ray Gibson, iIlustrated by Amanda Barlow
Usborne Playtime, £3.99
This book shows you and your child how to make counting artistic. It explains how to make potato prints of "1 whale, 2 penguins, 3 birds, 4 frogs". Each page has accompanying figures of identical number just to add to the amusement, such as four spots on each of the frogs or five petals on each of the five flowers. And for those of you with hyperactive children, there are pages of animals in tens, twenties or fifties that will keep them painting all summer!
Number Parade - A Wildlife Counting Book
Jakki Wood
Frances Lincoln, £4.99
Charming drawings and alliteration make this a counting book to enjoy. Set your child some teasers: "If half the ostriches ran away, how many would be left?" or "Double the number of monkeys who come swinging by - how many are there now?" Large numbers fascinate children even if they can't count them.
Fruits - A Caribbean Counting Poem
Valerie Bloom, illustrated by David Axtell
Macmillan Children's Books, £4.99
The sweetness of these fruits exudes from every page. This is a funny book too, the story of a girl whose eyes are bigger than her belly. Ask how many fruits big sis has eaten (and don't forget the half pawpaw!). How much was left for her poor little sister? And try playing with this one: "Let's make a fruit salad and take the oranges, bananas, paw-paw and red apples. How many fruits have we got?" Don't be afraid that this poem is written in dialect (if you don't speak it); enjoy the evocation of Caribbean village life and the education of naming and recognising tropical fruit.
Six Dinner Sid
Inga Moore
Macdonald Young Books, £4.99
Sid is cat who lives in six houses and gets six dinners from six owners. He thinks he is the smart one, until he is found out! Discuss Sid's first house, his second dinner, his third owner, his fourth bed and so on. Talk about first and last, once, twice, sixes, twelves, twenty-fours. And ask how many dinners Sid has had in a week!
