123 Play With Me Book Review: A Touch-and-Feel Counting Book

123 Play With Me book review: how the book works

Each page shows a different number from 1 to 10, along with a matching object or animal that children can touch and feel.

There are also flaps to lift, ribbons to thread and other interactive bits that keep little ones busy and engaged.

Why children love it

It is both educational and fun. The interactive elements keep young children engaged, and the counting idea is presented simply.

The pictures use bright colours and appealing images that catch a child's attention.

The illustrations

The illustrations are bright, colourful and clear, so they are easy for small children to see.

They match each number to its objects, so the pictures themselves teach counting.

What kind of book is it?

123 Play With Me is a touch-and-feel board book. Board books are made of sturdy material that can handle being grabbed by young children, and they are usually smaller than regular books, so they are easy for small hands to hold.

123 Play With Me book for kids: how it helps development

• Counting: children learn to count from 1 to 10.
• Fine motor skills: lifting flaps and threading ribbons works small hand muscles.
• Visual and sensory skills: looking at the pictures and touching the textures builds both.

Tips for using 123 Play With Me at home

• Read it together and point out the numbers and objects.
• Encourage your child to touch and feel each object.
• Help them count the objects on every page.
• Play games with the book, such as "I Spy" or hide-and-seek.
• Use it as a starting point for other activities, like number songs or playing with counting toys.

Counting tip Count out loud slowly and touch each object as you say the number. Children copy the rhythm long before they understand the numbers.

About the publisher, Make Believe Ideas

Make Believe Ideas Ltd. is a children's book publisher that specialises in interactive, touch-and-feel board books. The company was founded in 2000 and has published over 100 books.

Similar touch-and-feel books

• Where's Spot? by Eric Hill
• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
• Pat the Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

Gift it right: 123 Play With Me as a birthday gift

A touch-and-feel counting book is one of the most useful books as birthday gifts for kids who are just learning numbers. Add a name label inside the cover, and an animal name sticker on the wrapping.

See all personalised book labels, more children's books, or our gifts for kids.

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