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How to Count to One: And Don't Even Think About Bigger Numbers!
A hilariously irreverent picture book about counting that children will love to outsmart! You know how to count, right? GREAT! There are LOTS of fun things to count in this whales, baboons, rainbows, pyramids . . .There's just one rule. You must ONLY ever count to ONE. So don't even about THINK bigger numbers. OK?! Get ready to show off your skills in this fun new counting book! But not everything is as it seems . . . is this book really only about counting to ”ONE?� Because there are SO MANY fun things that you could count. But wait —maybe there's a way to outsmart the book . . . and count all the way up to 100! A fun and interactive read-aloud experience, perfect for fans of B. J. Novak's international bestseller The Book With No Pictures.
Hardcover
Published March 17, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
June 6, 2022
A brilliantly fun and clever book that young children (aged 3+) are sure to enjoy. One word of warning for the adults who will read this aloud to their children and home (or in an infant primary classroom!) with its bright, appealing illustrations, full of interesting details, it can be be very difficult to stick to the task at hand - counting to one, and ONLY one!
A wonderful new addition to my teacher library that I can't wait to use to explore both early counting and the importance of giving clear and specific instructions with my pupils.
A wonderful new addition to my teacher library that I can't wait to use to explore both early counting and the importance of giving clear and specific instructions with my pupils.
December 29, 2023
filled with disappointment. expected to finish this book being able to count to one, left with irrelevant knowledge.
it should be illegal to make book titles so drastically irrelevant to what is written inside.
only rating two stars because i enjoyed the authors first and last name- i would happily name my child this.
guess i’ll stick to youtube�
it should be illegal to make book titles so drastically irrelevant to what is written inside.
only rating two stars because i enjoyed the authors first and last name- i would happily name my child this.
guess i’ll stick to youtube�
February 26, 2024
A cute counting book, cleverly written & engaging!
All you have to do is count to 1 in most cases. However, at the end of the book, there is a much bigger challenge.
A great way to get youngsters involved in reading & counting! The text & the illustrations are also noteworthy!
All you have to do is count to 1 in most cases. However, at the end of the book, there is a much bigger challenge.
A great way to get youngsters involved in reading & counting! The text & the illustrations are also noteworthy!
February 15, 2024
Made the kids laugh
March 22, 2025
Very clever
March 3, 2023
I had to learn how to read this book out loud in Faroese as it is such a favorite of my son's.
March 24, 2023
Delivers what it promises. Good illustrations. Does not delve into the interesting mathematical aspects of the number one, but simply and repeatedly acknowledges its existence.
May 6, 2024
This book is about counting to ONE!
This book made us all laugh uncontrollably. I love this book.
This book made us all laugh uncontrollably. I love this book.
November 11, 2023
I remember a decade ago being at ALA and getting an early copy of THE BOOK WITH NO PICTURES. I had a feeling it would be an off-the charts read-aloud, I’m getting the same feeling with this one.
October 26, 2023
This included many clever ways to keep people to counting to one and no higher.
Read for Librarian Book Group
Read for Librarian Book Group
January 29, 2023
Helemaal beu gelezen, zo zot was onze kleuter ervan. Origineel, leuk getekend, simpel.
Read
May 21, 2023See my full review here:
HOW TO COUNT TO ONE is a silly and delightful picture book that will charm preschoolers and early elementary school aged readers. The premise of the book is simple - in this book, readers will only be asked to count to one. On each page, they are given a new challenge in order to count to one. The text is written directly to readers with questions and reactions throughout.
What I loved: This was such a clever and silly concept that children who understanding counting will get quite a kick out of. Whereas other books may ask them to count to higher numbers, this book only has them count to one, but it does it in clever ways. While it begins simply with only one object to count, it soon sets up whole scenes where there is one thing for them to locate and count. For instance, a page filled with worms has one of the worms wearing a disguise, and it is this worm that children are assigned to count. In another page, there are tons of pictures/paintings, but children are instructed only to count the one with the cake on it. If children do insist on more of a challenge, they are invited to count all the objects in the book, and the backmatter includes 100 things they could count.
This book turns the traditional counting book on its head, and preschoolers and early elementary school aged readers will absolutely get a huge kick out of it. This is good, silly fun with a simple premise that is really well done. The text includes some asides and conversational language as well as questions, with space for children to answer (usually, the answer is just ONE!), so it becomes quite an interactive read. That works well for this age group, as they will definitely buy into the joke and laugh along.
As another cool thing, Nosy Crow has recorded an audiobook of this one with sounds for when to turn the pages that you can download using a QR code on the back. The audiobook is super-fun and really well done, allowing young readers to listen along to the story for some early independent reading delight.
Final verdict: HOW TO COUNT TO ONE is a delightfully silly picture book that is sure to charm young readers who will become skilled at counting all the way to ONE! Highly recommend for preschoolers and young elementary school aged readers who love to laugh.
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
HOW TO COUNT TO ONE is a silly and delightful picture book that will charm preschoolers and early elementary school aged readers. The premise of the book is simple - in this book, readers will only be asked to count to one. On each page, they are given a new challenge in order to count to one. The text is written directly to readers with questions and reactions throughout.
What I loved: This was such a clever and silly concept that children who understanding counting will get quite a kick out of. Whereas other books may ask them to count to higher numbers, this book only has them count to one, but it does it in clever ways. While it begins simply with only one object to count, it soon sets up whole scenes where there is one thing for them to locate and count. For instance, a page filled with worms has one of the worms wearing a disguise, and it is this worm that children are assigned to count. In another page, there are tons of pictures/paintings, but children are instructed only to count the one with the cake on it. If children do insist on more of a challenge, they are invited to count all the objects in the book, and the backmatter includes 100 things they could count.
This book turns the traditional counting book on its head, and preschoolers and early elementary school aged readers will absolutely get a huge kick out of it. This is good, silly fun with a simple premise that is really well done. The text includes some asides and conversational language as well as questions, with space for children to answer (usually, the answer is just ONE!), so it becomes quite an interactive read. That works well for this age group, as they will definitely buy into the joke and laugh along.
As another cool thing, Nosy Crow has recorded an audiobook of this one with sounds for when to turn the pages that you can download using a QR code on the back. The audiobook is super-fun and really well done, allowing young readers to listen along to the story for some early independent reading delight.
Final verdict: HOW TO COUNT TO ONE is a delightfully silly picture book that is sure to charm young readers who will become skilled at counting all the way to ONE! Highly recommend for preschoolers and young elementary school aged readers who love to laugh.
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
May 4, 2023
This amusing book has a unique concept: readers are asked to only count ONE of each image on the page. Some pages have just one image on the page, such as an apple or an elephant. But, on the spread with two whales, the reader is asked to count ONE sausage, which is floating above the blow-hole from one of the whales. It’s a funny and incongruous sight. The same thing happens on a spread with three bowls of soup: “How many� / flies are in the soup?� (Only one!) There’s a spread with lots of things floating in space � a dinosaur, a meteor, a tower of Jello and a pair of whitey-tighties. We’re asked to just pick one thing and count it.
It’s such a clever idea to “limit� the counting to one � it makes counting the other things on the page icing on the cake. At the end, the reader gets a prize � a golden trophy � “Would you like to count it?� The wonderfully entertaining artwork makes all of the animals look goofily funny, and the text addresses the reader directly, making them pretty much have to count everything. In addition, the endpapers contain 100 things, which the reader is invited to count. And, there’s even a QR code which takes the reader to an audio narration to the story. The audio is nicely done, with fun sound effects.
It’s such a clever idea to “limit� the counting to one � it makes counting the other things on the page icing on the cake. At the end, the reader gets a prize � a golden trophy � “Would you like to count it?� The wonderfully entertaining artwork makes all of the animals look goofily funny, and the text addresses the reader directly, making them pretty much have to count everything. In addition, the endpapers contain 100 things, which the reader is invited to count. And, there’s even a QR code which takes the reader to an audio narration to the story. The audio is nicely done, with fun sound effects.
July 7, 2023
In this book, the reader is only allowed to count to one. There might be other items on the pages that you could count, but NO! You can only count the ONE elephant, or the one duck that is rollerblading, or the one earthworm that is in disguise. Don't count the other items or animals! You can only count to one. Don't try any bigger numbers! Even if there are lots of things to count on the page, don't do it!
This book is hilarious and had me giggling! I love the reverse psychology that makes you want to count all the things. The narrator is so funny, trying to stop the reader from counting anything except just one.
The illustrations are really cute, and I loved finding all the myriad of items on some of the pages.
You can scan the QR code on the back cover to listen to an audio recording of this book being read out loud with some music and fun sound effects. I listened to some of it and it was so cute!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
This book is hilarious and had me giggling! I love the reverse psychology that makes you want to count all the things. The narrator is so funny, trying to stop the reader from counting anything except just one.
The illustrations are really cute, and I loved finding all the myriad of items on some of the pages.
You can scan the QR code on the back cover to listen to an audio recording of this book being read out loud with some music and fun sound effects. I listened to some of it and it was so cute!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
June 3, 2023
What an ironic, fun parody of counting books that has a fabulous narrator. Written in the second person, this book engages readers by asking them to count...to one. Each page is set up so you think you're following the standard one, two, three, but nope, it's always one. As the pages move on, there may be say five ducks, but the narrator asks you to count only the one wearing rollerblades. I can't wait to use this as a read-aloud. I know there will be great moments with the group where they count and just by pausing the sentence, you can hook them. "Count all the ducks (pause, pause) with rollerblades." Of course, readers can go back and practice counting all the items on the pages for a second or third or fourth read.
The illustrations and font are perfect for this style of book: colorful and simple, flat designs with incredibly expressive eyes. Add How to Count to 1 by Caspar Salmon and Matt Hunt to spice up your counting book collection.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program in exchange for an honest review.
The illustrations and font are perfect for this style of book: colorful and simple, flat designs with incredibly expressive eyes. Add How to Count to 1 by Caspar Salmon and Matt Hunt to spice up your counting book collection.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program in exchange for an honest review.
November 8, 2023
First sentence: Hello! Welcome to a fun new counting book. Are you ready to start counting? As we go through the book, follow the instructions. Don't worry if you make a mistake! Let's start with something nice and easy. Do you know what an apple looks like? Good! Simply count how many apples you see.
Premise/plot: This is an interactive counting concept book with a twist. The twist is to trick little ones into breaking the rules and counting higher than one. Every page actively discourages little ones from counting higher. The text and illustrations keep getting sillier. Will your little one "accidentally" learn to count higher than one?
My thoughts: I enjoyed this reverse psychology interactive concept book. It was silly, amusing, fun. It kept surprising me. I knew the general idea of it going in, but I didn't know what silly situations would pop up next as I kept turning the pages. This one is a bit on the oversized side. I haven't decided if it would be best shared one on one or if it would be good for a group read aloud.
Premise/plot: This is an interactive counting concept book with a twist. The twist is to trick little ones into breaking the rules and counting higher than one. Every page actively discourages little ones from counting higher. The text and illustrations keep getting sillier. Will your little one "accidentally" learn to count higher than one?
My thoughts: I enjoyed this reverse psychology interactive concept book. It was silly, amusing, fun. It kept surprising me. I knew the general idea of it going in, but I didn't know what silly situations would pop up next as I kept turning the pages. This one is a bit on the oversized side. I haven't decided if it would be best shared one on one or if it would be good for a group read aloud.
January 3, 2024
A really different look at counting to one!
An uproariously fun, oversized picture book with gags galore. For example, after turning the page with one elephant, the reader sees 2 whales. The text reads: "Yes, that's right. Just ONE! Now what about this? how many...SAUSAGES do you see?" (There is one sausage being suspended in the air over one of the whale's blowholes.)
Colorful digital illustrations by Matt Hunt match the text in their humor. For example, one two-page spread has nearly 50 images with text "I'm kidding! Don't say it! The answer will always be ONE! Like this picture of just ONE cake. Please count." You have to look at each of the images to find the one cake.
Counting with humor for very youngest kids. Highly Recommended for toddlers-preschoolers.
An uproariously fun, oversized picture book with gags galore. For example, after turning the page with one elephant, the reader sees 2 whales. The text reads: "Yes, that's right. Just ONE! Now what about this? how many...SAUSAGES do you see?" (There is one sausage being suspended in the air over one of the whale's blowholes.)
Colorful digital illustrations by Matt Hunt match the text in their humor. For example, one two-page spread has nearly 50 images with text "I'm kidding! Don't say it! The answer will always be ONE! Like this picture of just ONE cake. Please count." You have to look at each of the images to find the one cake.
Counting with humor for very youngest kids. Highly Recommended for toddlers-preschoolers.
September 28, 2023
With its direct addressing of readers and constant remonstration to count no further than one, this colorful picture book will trick many youngsters into counting the various animals and objects on its pages. To add to its delights, what they are told to count often turns out to be something unexpected; for instance, how many sausages can be found on a double-page spread featuring two spouting whales or how many flies are floating in three bowls of soup. It's nearly impossible to resist counting all the cool things found on this book's pages or to avoid thinking of numbers larger than one. This one is a great example of reverse psychology in action and a unique addition to any collection of counting books.
December 9, 2023
What a cheeky little counting book! How to Count to ONE is really just begging kids to show off their counting skills, but the narrator keeps on tricking us. Don't even think about counter higher than one! The images are bright, bold and silly as can be. The words are hand-written in a silly style and children are sure to be delighted. Reminds me a smidge of the humor of The Book With No Pictures, except this has excellent pictures! Counting books are pretty predictable and can get old fast. This breaks the mold and tops my list of enjoyable counting reads.
Read as a nomination in the Fiction Picture Book book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).
Read as a nomination in the Fiction Picture Book book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).
May 6, 2023
This book was a hit at my house. My older girls 14, 16 also read it and began to list the kids they babysit for who would enjoy it. It is funny, silly, and conversational. It has the classic, "don't do it!" teasing that "The Monster at the End of this Book" had. The book is very well made, with nice thick pages good strong binding. A book meant to be taken down and read over and over again. This edition also came with a free stories aloud smartphone audio book. I received a free copy of this book from Library Thing Early Reviewers. I was not required to give a positive review, and all opinions are my own or those of my children.
June 9, 2023
This is an utterly brilliant and delightful counting book for young children. I love the unique take (seriously, you're supposed to ONLY COUNT TO 1 the entire book) and how the premise is implemented in such a rich and memorable way. Funny but also thoughtful, and paired with vivid illustrations with a lot to look at and revisit. Great for children as young as 3, though I will say my 9 and 8 year olds thoroughly enjoyed this as well!
***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Publisher's Spotlight. Opinions are my own.
***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Publisher's Spotlight. Opinions are my own.
October 31, 2024
A crazy book which asks you to follow directions and only allows us to count to one. There are tricks where we might count higher, the pictures are there. Yet, instead of counting 3 bowls of soup, we are to count the flies in the soup--1. Often, it's a matter of looking at the page carefully to find the 1 thing.
Our 4-year-old laughed readily at the crazy directions, staying on the alert throughout. I think we could have tried this when she was a bit younger. She asked for repeated readings.
Hilarious fun, especially when shared!
Our 4-year-old laughed readily at the crazy directions, staying on the alert throughout. I think we could have tried this when she was a bit younger. She asked for repeated readings.
Hilarious fun, especially when shared!
July 4, 2023
I got this as a free giveaway through StoryGraph!
In this book, you are only to count to one. No more, no less. If you count more than one, well. That's just not allowed!
The art is bright and colorful, with a good amount of whimsy and silliness. The story trucks along fast, daring you to count only ONE of each thing that is asking you to. Can you do that? No? Well, that's okay, but really, you should have only counted one.
Very reminiscent of Adam Rubin in pace and silliness.
In this book, you are only to count to one. No more, no less. If you count more than one, well. That's just not allowed!
The art is bright and colorful, with a good amount of whimsy and silliness. The story trucks along fast, daring you to count only ONE of each thing that is asking you to. Can you do that? No? Well, that's okay, but really, you should have only counted one.
Very reminiscent of Adam Rubin in pace and silliness.
April 22, 2024
Practice counting to one in this book. Don't count any higher. There may be two whales, but you are supposed to be counting the one sausage on the page. It's a good practice in listening too. This worked really well in preschool storytime, especially followed by "Jumping and Counting" by Jim Gill. It would definitely be fun to read one-on-one to go back and count everything in the book for older preschoolers/kindergarteners.
March 7, 2025
Simple illustrations with a lot of humor. A book where kids are asked to only find 1 item per page, with some jokes about 2 or counting to 100. It's a good book to help kids not fear counting and to start easily, with just pointing out one object. Teaches kid to search for and identify one object among many - to sort and distinguish items. Cute and involves some nature/animals and everyday items like soup or cake.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2023
This is a really fun book to teach number sense without students even realizing that they are learning about many ways to look at numbers. While they are having fun laughing at the puzzles and the way you have to "keep counting to one" they will also be counting a number of different ways as well. A great book that students will want to read more than once.
July 25, 2023
Who knew you could have so much fun counting to one? Caspar Salmon and Mat Hunt have created a hilarious picture book called How to Count to One that will leave kids in stitches and wanting to read it again and again. Kids will enjoy recreating a game based on this book with found objects around the house!
August 5, 2023
Very funny take on a familiar trope--the counting book. Only in this case we only count to one, even though the pictures will try to trick you! I would recommend this for ages 5-8 who will get the humor; it's not a conventional counting book designed to teach numbers but rather more like something like Z is for Moose.
August 23, 2023
Hilarious! Would be great in storytime or I'm thinking as a Beehive award consideration. A narrator is very insistent that this counting book is ONLY for counting to the number 1. The ending was a bit abrupt for me but the rest of the humor was so on point that I didn't mind. Kid-friendly illustrations, too, with lots of 4th-wall breaking.
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