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Counting in the Cold

  • Coal Valley Library
  • Sep 19
  • 4 min read
A collage of children's counting books featuring animals, snowmen, and colorful illustrations. Titles include "Counting on Snow" and "Ten Animals in Antarctica."
Counting in the Cold Book Covers

Bundle up for some frosty fun with these chilly counting tales! The books on this list make early math magical, pairing number practice with snowy scenes, winter animals, and whimsical adventures. Whether you’re teaching in a classroom, reading at the library, or snuggling up at home, these stories will keep little minds warm and busy all winter long.


Owl and fox in snowy forest under full moon. "Counting Winter" text in bold. Snowflakes and trees create a whimsical, serene scene.
Counting on Winter by Nancy White Carlstrom

Counting on Winter by Nancy White Carlstrom

Count along with woodland animals as they prepare for the cold months ahead. Gentle rhymes and soft illustrations make this a perfect cozy winter read. It’s a sweet way to combine early math with nature.


Snowmen on snowy field with trees, rabbits, and bird. Text: "Ten Little Snowmen." Red and green festive details. Counting storybook.
Ten Little Snowmen by Amanda Sobotka

Ten Little Snowmen by Amanda Sobotka

Watch as ten cheerful snowmen disappear one by one in this playful countdown tale. Bright illustrations and simple text make it ideal for preschoolers. It’s a fun, frosty way to practice early number skills.


Children sledding downhill in colorful winter clothes on snow. Blue sky background. Text: "Downhill Fun, A Counting Book About Winter."
Downhill Fun: A Counting Book About Winter by Michael Dahl

Downhill Fun: A Counting Book About Winter by Michael Dahl

Bundle up for a snowy sledding adventure that sneaks in counting practice. Each page features fast-flying sleds and bold numbers to count. This energetic book is perfect for wiggly listeners.


Children and a teacher build a snowman in a snowy landscape, dressed in colorful winter clothes. Birds and penguins are nearby. Text: The Twelve Days of Winter.
The Twelve Days of Winter: A School Counting Book by Deborah Lee Rose

The Twelve Days of Winter: A School Counting Book by Deborah Lee Rose

Celebrate the season with a winter twist on the classic carol. From snow boots to sleds, each day adds something new to count. A lively storytime pick that also builds number sense.


Silhouette of a wolf on snowy terrain. Large text reads "Counting on Snow" by Maxwell Newhouse, set against a black background.
Counting on Snow by Maxwell Newhouse

Counting on Snow by Maxwell Newhouse

This quiet, beautiful book counts Arctic animals against crisp white snow. The simple words and striking art invite peaceful wintertime reading. It’s both soothing and educational.


Red cardinal and cartoon squirrel on a snowy background with text "Footprints in the Snow." Cover design by Michael Dahl, art by Todd Ouren.
Footprints in the Snow by Michael Dahl

Footprints in the Snow by Michael Dahl

Follow a trail of mysterious footprints and count the animals who made them. This interactive winter mystery sparks curiosity and number practice. It’s a perfect blend of science and math.


Otter sliding on snow with trees in the background, cattails, and the text: "Sizing Up Winter" by Lizann Flatt, illustrated by Ashley Barron.
Sizing Up Winter by Lizann Flatt

Sizing Up Winter by Lizann Flatt

Explore how animals adapt to the changing seasons while practicing measurement and counting. This math-based nature book pairs perfectly with classroom lessons. It’s engaging, clever, and informative.


An owl illustration on a dark background with colorful text "123 Dream" above. Stars scattered. By Kim Krans. Whimsical and dreamy mood.
123 Dream by Kim Krans

123 Dream by Kim Krans

Soft, dreamlike illustrations count gently from 1 to 10 with magical animal imagery. This calming bedtime book helps children slow down while learning numbers. It’s a visual treat for little readers.


A penguin swims against a blue, icy background. Text: Ten Animals in Antarctica, A Counting Book, Moira Court. Cover art of a book.
Ten Animals in Antarctica by Moira Court

Ten Animals in Antarctica by Moira Court

Count ten chilly creatures from penguins to seals in their icy home. Layered collage art and simple text introduce kids to polar wildlife. It’s a frosty, fun counting adventure.


Three cats stacked: an orange cat on top, a fluffy white cat in the middle, and a red cat at the bottom. Text reads "STACK the CATS".
Stack the Cats by Susie Ghahremani

Stack the Cats by Susie Ghahremani

Whimsical cats stack, tumble, and balance while teaching counting and grouping. The colorful art and silly antics make early math fun. It’s an irresistible story for cat-loving kiddos.


Blue elephant stacking wooden blocks on right. Bold orange text: CRASH! BOOM! A MATH TALE. Illustrated, colorful children's book cover.
Crash! Boom! by Robie H. Harris

Crash! Boom! by Robie H. Harris

A curious elephant builds towers of blocks while learning about numbers and size. This simple story celebrates persistence and problem solving. It’s perfect for introducing early math concepts.


Dog with a red shoe in its mouth sits in a basket with another shoe and a white mouse, on a yellow background. Text: "One Shoe Two Shoes".
One Shoe Two Shoes by Caryl Hart

One Shoe Two Shoes by Caryl Hart

Bounce along with a parade of colorful shoes and playful animals while counting to ten. Rhyming text and bright pictures make this book highly engaging. It’s a lively read-aloud that sparks number talk.


Cartoon character holds fingers up, surrounded by large pink numbers 0 1 2 3. Text: "The Hueys in None the Number by Oliver Jeffers."
The Hueys in None the Number by Oliver Jeffers

The Hueys in None the Number by Oliver Jeffers

The quirky Hueys explore the concept of “none” in their usual silly, creative way. This book introduces an abstract math idea with humor. It’s both thought-provoking and fun.


Number 7 with utensils chases worried number 9. Red, yellow, and purple colors dominate. Text: "7 ATE 9", "The Untold Story". Energetic mood.
7 Ate 9: The Untold Story by Tara Lazar

7 Ate 9: The Untold Story by Tara Lazar

In this hilarious math-themed mystery, private eye Al F. Bet investigates the rumor that 7 ate 9. Packed with wordplay and number jokes, it’s perfect for older picture book readers. It makes math laugh-out-loud funny.


Children surrounded by playful yellow puppies on a staircase. Girl looks surprised, boy is delighted. Title text: Double Puppy Trouble.
Double Puppy Trouble by Danica McKellar

Double Puppy Trouble by Danica McKellar

When one puppy becomes two—and then four—chaos takes over! This story teaches doubling and exponential growth in a fun, kid-friendly way. It’s playful, silly math learning at its best.


Illustrated book cover featuring an orange fox on teal background. Text reads "One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller" by Kate Read, with an award sticker.
One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller by Kate Read

One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller by Kate Read

Tension builds as one fox creeps closer to ten unsuspecting hens. The bold art and suspenseful pace make counting feel exciting. It’s a page-turner perfect for storytime.


Animals ride a colorful roller coaster on a book cover titled "Everyone Counts." Joyful mood with textured blue and orange tones.
Everyone Counts by Judy Sierra

Everyone Counts by Judy Sierra

A bustling city comes alive with diverse people and animals to count on every page. The clever seek-and-find style keeps kids engaged. It’s full of number fun and visual surprises.


Yellow bus on rural road, child inside gazing out. Vibrant sunset, fields, barns in background. Text: "one boy watching" by Grant Snider.
One Boy Watching by Grant Snider

One Boy Watching by Grant Snider

Follow one boy on his bus ride as he quietly counts the world around him. This lyrical story blends mindfulness with early math. It’s a beautifully calm way to practice counting.

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