In this Caldecott Honor board book, a young girl sits on her Daddy’s lap and together they count the things they see in her room at bedtime. You and your baby can count backwards from 10 to one, beginning with the little girl’s toes. As you open the book, the text is on the left side on a white background with the number first, enlarged and in a bold color. You will find illustrations in dark red tones on the right side page for you and your baby to explore together.
Before, During and After Reading
Make reading part of the bedtime routine. You can use this book as part of your baby’s bedtime routine or it can be enjoyed anytime. Position your baby comfortably in your lap and let baby feel and explore the book, if he's interested.
Touch and count the objects on each page as you read. For example, you might touch each toe and count them out loud. You might say, These are her 10 toes! One…two...three… Some objects, such as the girl’s nightgown buttons, are small, and may be more difficult for your baby to focus on at first.
Play follow-up counting games. Count your baby’s toes or introduce the nursery rhyme, “This Little Piggy,” when your baby is active and playful. To play “This Little Piggy,” touch your baby’s big toe and say the first line. Then touch the next toe and say the next line, and so on. When you get to the littlest toe, use lots of expression as you say the last line.
This little piggy went to market
This little piggy stayed home
This little piggy had roast beef
This little piggy had none
This little piggy cried “Wee, wee wee” all the way home.
Walk around with your baby cuddled in your arms and name things in your baby’s room. Reach out and point to or touch the objects as you say their names. See if your baby’s attention will focus on what you are talking about. Notice your baby’s responses to your words and expressions.
For more books that involve counting with your baby, try Baby Touch and Feel: Numbers or Numbers. Or, explore easy at-home activities for babies six to eleven months.
