Key Stage 1 Books

The books in this list can be used in Key Stage 1 to explore a variety of different mathematical topics. You can see other collections of books, including the full list of books recommended by the NRICH team, on our Bookcase Maths page.

The Secret Birthday Message

Age 3 to 7

On the night before Tim's birthday, he finds a secret message under his pillow! Can you work out what the different shapes in the message mean to help Tim find his birthday present?

One Is a Snail, Ten Is a Crab

Age 3 to 7

This 'counting by feet' book offers opportunities to focus on counting and introduce multiplication with its entertaining illustrations.

The Bad-tempered Ladybird

Age 3 to 7

The bad-tempered ladybird tries to fight bigger and bigger animals throughout the day - but will it win a fight against the biggest animal of all?

Color Zoo

Age 3 to 7

When we turn the page to remove a layer, what animal will the picture show now? And what shape will be removed? Have a look at the colour zoo to find out!

The Great Pet Sale

Age 3 to 7

This book tells the story of a pet shop where lots of animals are for sale at a variety of prices - but which will the boy choose?

The Doorbell Rang

Age 3 to 7

Ma has made plenty of cookies for her children, but then the doorbell rings. And rings... And rings... This book is perfect for discussing sharing equally.

How Big Is a Million?

Age 3 to 7

Pipkin is a small penguin who asks big questions. He wants to know how big a million is! He finds ten fish, a hundred penguins in a huddle and a thousand snowflakes... but will he find a million of anything?

Lucy in the City

Age 3 to 7

Lucy the raccoon is in the city one night looking for food with her family. But when they leave her behind by mistake, she has to find her way home with the help of a friendly owl who gives her directions.

The Shopping Basket

Age 3 to 7

With Steven having to fend off various animals on his way back from the shops, he arrives home with fewer items than his mum requested. This book is a great context in which to count, and in particular to talk about 'one less'.

Walter's Wonderful Web

Age 3 to 7

Walter the spider wants to spin a perfect web, so he tries making webs of different shapes and sizes. Will he end up with a wonderful web?

Henry's Map

Age 3 to 7

Henry the pig likes knowing exactly where everything is. But when he looks out of the window, the farm is a mess! Follow Henry's story as he draws a map to show where everything in the farm should be.

10 Apples Up On Top

Age 3 to 7

In this captivating rhyming story, a dog, a lion and a tiger all try to balance ten apples on their heads while tightrope walking and roller skating!

Balancing Act

Age 3 to 7

This book builds on children's experience of seesaws and balancing. Join the two mice who make a seesaw (or teeter totter) and see what happens as their friends hop on too.

Five Minutes' Peace

Age 3 to 7

Mrs Large the elephant wants five minutes' peace away from her three children... but they keep interrupting her!

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons

Age 3 to 7

Pete the cat wears his favourite shirt with four groovy buttons. But what happens when one of the buttons pops off and rolls away? This story introduces children to subtraction number sentences.

Splash!

Age 3 to 7

How many animals are in my pond? Follow the story and find out, as different animals fall into the pond and jump out again!

Grandpa's Quilt

Age 3 to 11

Grandpa is so long and thin that his quilt doesn't cover his toes. This story tells of his grandchildren's attempts to change the shape of the quilt so he is toasty from head to foot.

Nigel's Numberless World

Age 5 to 7

Nigel's new watch makes all the numbers in the world disappear! Will this help to persuade him that numbers are useful after all?

365 Penguins

Age 5 to 11

On the morning of New Year's Day, a delivery arrives. When the box is opened, it turns out there's a penguin inside! Every day for the rest of the year, a new penguin is delivered, which causes the family some problems...

Spaghetti and Meatballs for All!

Age 5 to 11

Mr and Mrs Comfort have a total of 32 people coming to their family reunion - but how should they arrange the tables so that there is room for everyone?

Einstein, the Girl Who Hated Maths

Age 5 to 11

Einstein is a girl who hates maths, but she likes cats - and it turns out maths can be useful in lots of situations, including calculating how many lives her cats have! This book contains a variety of different poems, both about Einstein and about lots of other mathematical ideas.

Katie Morag and the Birthdays

Age 5 to 11

In January there is a special day on the Isle of Struay - it is Flora Ann McColl's first birthday. Katie Morag is very excited, but she can't help asking, "When will it be MY birthday?" Follow the story through the different months of the year to find out when Katie Morag's birthday is.