Baby Bear Counts One

Baby Bear

by Ashley Wolff

Fall has arrived in Baby Bear's forest, and the woods are teeming with animals busily preparing for winter. How many animals? Count to ten with Baby Bear as he and Mama get ready for the season's first snow.

Genres: Picture Books, Counting, Animals, Storytime, Number, Nature, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 24, 2013

Reviews

[Ruth Anne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Beautiful hand colored linoleum block illustrations are the strength of this story. The counting aspect is not completely successful for the youngest readers and they will be challenged and perhaps frustrated by counting all the frogs and geese.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 3 out of 5]

As Baby Bear wanders through the woods with his mama, he counts the acorns, the geese, the frogs, the turkeys, and other signs that winter is on the way. Count to ten with Baby Bear.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations (I adore the wide-eyed bear cub) follow Mama and Baby Bear across the last autumn days before a snowfall as they see an (increasing number) of animals preparing for winter. Fun to read aloud and my three-year-old enjoyed finding all the animals on each page.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baby Bear Counts One has become one of the most treasured books in our home. My toddler is at the stage where counting and pointing are everything, and this book feeds that perfectly. The gentle journey through the autumn forest, counting animals from one to ten, keeps my child engaged on every page. The illustrations are rich with color and full of little details that my child loves to discover busy squirrels, migrating geese, tiny mice preparing for winter. What I especially adore is the calm, nurturing tone between Baby Bear and Mama Bear. The story feels safe, warm, and comforting, like a hug wrapped in pages. By the time Baby Bear returns to the cozy den just as the first snow begins to fall, my toddler is relaxed and ready for sleep. It’s educational, soothing, and incredibly beautiful.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an outstanding example of how early literacy and numeracy can be combined without losing the heart of storytelling. Baby Bear Counts One gives young readers a meaningful context for numbers each number connects to something real, something happening in the environment. Children learn not only to count, but also to observe, compare, and connect ideas. The illustrations are wonderfully supportive for emerging readers: expressive animals, clear actions, and visual clues that make predictions easy. The theme of animals preparing for winter introduces scientific concepts in a soft, age appropriate way. Baby Bear’s curiosity mirrors a child’s natural curiosity, which makes the story feel relatable and engaging. This is one of those books that encourages conversation, participation, and questions, all crucial for early learning. Warm, educational, and beautifully crafted.

[Katiee · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a collector of picture books, I am always looking for titles that blend strong storytelling with striking artistry, and Baby Bear Counts One easily meets that standard. Ashley Wolff’s illustrations are truly captivating rich autumn tones, textured brushwork, and a sense of movement in every scene. The forest feels alive, full of energy, yet also peaceful in that special fall way. The narrative itself is simple, but not simplistic. The counting is woven naturally into Baby Bear’s exploration, and the mother-child relationship adds emotional depth without overwhelming the story. This book has a timeless quality that makes it stand out: it feels like something I would have loved as a child, yet it remains completely fresh and appealing today. It’s the kind of book that belongs on a shelf, on display, and in the hands of both children and adults who appreciate beautiful storytelling.

[Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a collector of picture books, I am always looking for titles that blend strong storytelling with striking artistry, and Baby Bear Counts One easily meets that standard. Ashley Wolff’s illustrations are truly captivating rich autumn tones, textured brushwork, and a sense of movement in every scene. The forest feels alive, full of energy, yet also peaceful in that special fall way. The narrative itself is simple, but not simplistic. The counting is woven naturally into Baby Bear’s exploration, and the mother child relationship adds emotional depth without overwhelming the story. This book has a timeless quality that makes it stand out: it feels like something I would have loved as a child, yet it remains completely fresh and appealing today. It’s the kind of book that belongs on a shelf, on display, and in the hands of both children and adults who appreciate beautiful storytelling.

[John B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hadn’t read the first Baby Bear book before this one, but Baby Bear Counts One completely drew me in. I loved the pacing of Baby Bear’s journey slow enough to savor the illustrations but lively enough to keep the story moving. Each new animal he discovers adds a little moment of delight. The forest feels warm, busy, and real, and the counting progression feels smooth and natural. I especially loved the ending, where the forest begins to quiet down as the first snowflakes fall and Baby Bear hurries home to the cozy den. It felt like a gentle closing scene in a movie. Even without the context of the earlier book, the story stands perfectly on its own. After finishing it, I immediately wanted to explore the rest of the series because the tone, artwork, and warmth of this story are so appealing.

[Joseph O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baby Bear Counts One is a beautifully crafted counting book that goes beyond simply naming numbers. As Baby Bear walks through the forest with Mama Bear, the counting feels natural and story-driven rather than instructional. Each page invites children to observe, ask questions, and discover the world around them. The woodland setting is calming, and the illustrations are rich with detail, making it easy for young readers to stay engaged. I especially loved how the book quietly teaches curiosity, patience, and awareness of nature while reinforcing early math skills. This is the kind of book children will want read again and again.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving these Baby Bear books by Ashley Wolff. The counting story is part of a bigger tale - about preparing for winter. I love that the counting (especially for the higher numbers) isn't always easy and invites something of an abstract concept sometimes. I love the artwork and the relationship that Baby Bear has with his mother. These are just beautiful and I would love to read more in this series.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book is designed to teach counting, it also introduces children to the rhythm of nature and the changing seasons. From birds to squirrels to falling snowflakes, each number is connected to something meaningful in the environment. The illustrations are detailed enough that children can explore each page long after the numbers are counted. It encourages discussion, observation, and imagination, making it a wonderful educational tool without feeling like a lesson.

[Spivey Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read this book aloud to young children multiple times, and it works wonderfully in a group setting. Kids enjoy predicting what Baby Bear will count next, and they love joining in with the numbers. The repetition is gentle rather than boring, and Mama Bear’s calm responses make the book feel safe and soothing. It’s especially effective for toddlers who are just beginning to recognize numbers and patterns.

[John S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the strongest aspects of this book is its artwork. The forest scenes are full of life and movement, giving children plenty to look at on every page. Even after several readings, there’s always something new to notice in the illustrations. The visuals support the counting perfectly and help children associate numbers with groups of objects. It’s a visually rich book that rewards slow, careful reading.

[Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s something timeless about Baby Bear Counts One. The gentle storytelling, natural setting, and focus on observation rather than action make it feel like a classic picture book. It doesn’t rely on gimmicks or trends just strong illustrations, a caring parent-child relationship, and thoughtful pacing. It’s a book that feels just as relevant today as it would have years ago, and I can easily imagine it being passed down or reread for generations.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baby Bear and Mama go for a walk before they hibernate and see many things to be counted like deer and turkeys and geese, counting things one to ten.

This is a good book for a counting unit.

This is a good book for unit on animals in general.

This is also a good book for a unit on animals in fall getting ready for winter and hibernation.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrations are beautiful. I wish the numbers on each page were larger, not just the same font as all other text. Larger numbers would help children who are learning numbers. Also, not all the animals can be counted. Some are off the page, so for young children, they won't necessarily understand to count the animal that's half off the page.

[Olajide · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet and well-done counting book, but it’s clearly aimed at younger children. Toddlers and early preschoolers will love it, while older kids may lose interest quickly. That said, for its target audience, it does exactly what it sets out to do. The pacing, language, and illustrations are all developmentally appropriate and thoughtfully designed.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

As baby bear and mama bear start to settle in for their winter hibernation, they notice other animals preparing as well. It is a nice counting book with very nice illustrations. A good storytime book.

[Kristin Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Baby Bear Sees Blue. While this book was fine, it was nothing special. Sometimes it was hard to count the animals. On the goose page, we could see only the tail feathers of one since he was flying away off the page. The preschoolers like seeing a familiar character in a new book.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous illustrations and a simply told story make this a nice book for little ones learning to count. From one to ten, baby bear observes the prewinter signs around him before he and his mother go into hibernation.

[Mama Bearian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Baby Bear questions his mama about the different sounds in the forest as all of the animals prepare for winter, and counts up to 10 as he goes. I wanted to like this one, but it fell a little flat for me.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, counting-themed picture book of bears getting ready for winter, counting the other animals they witness doing the same. The illustrations fall in that sweet spot between realistic and adorable. Perfect for a fall or winter-themed story time!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little repetitive but cute art

[Syntha Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would be good for a fall storytime

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baby bear is back in a book about counting and fall.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baby bear and his mom are getting ready for winter and are counting animals along their way to their cave. Preschool and up

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable

[Katelynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A counting book about what animals do to prepare for winter. I like this for a 1-on-1 read with a child.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great 3K-4K story for a hibernation discussion.

[Alice Ball · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too wordy like it's predecessor, but a better story over all!