Kindergarten Math Book of the Week · October 19, 2026
Ten Black Dots
by Donald Crews
arithmetic More kindergarten books
"What can you do with ten black dots?" Page by page, simple dots become suns, eyes, buttons and wheels as the count climbs from one to ten. Bold, simple pictures make it a classic first counting book.
Why it's useful
Young kids often count by reciting words. Ten Black Dots ties each number to a real quantity they can see and touch.
- One-to-one counting. Every dot is a thing to point at, so kids practice matching one number word to one object.
- Seeing numbers in arrangements. The dots are grouped into pictures, which nudges kids to see 3 or 5 without counting one by one.
- Numbers grow by one. Each page has one more dot than the last, which is the idea behind "one more" and "one less".
Try it in class or at home
- Dot hunt. Before turning the page, ask "How many dots next?" and "What could they become?"
- Make your own page. Give each child round stickers or paper dots and let them build a picture with their number.
- Flash and tell. Show a dot picture for 2–3 seconds. Ask "How many? How did you know so fast?"
- Class counting book. Put the pages together 1 to 10 and read it aloud as a class.