This Five Little Monkeys finger puppet book is a lovely example of a preschool-friendly book that combines counting, rhyme, repetition, and play. The soft puppet in the middle makes it especially engaging for young children, because it gives them something to look at, touch, and follow as you read together.
Why this book is good for numeracy
At first glance, this looks like a fun novelty book. But books like this are actually very useful for helping young children build early maths understanding.
With a story or rhyme based around five little monkeys, children begin to hear and notice:
- counting in order
- the idea that numbers relate to quantity
- one less each time
- repetition and pattern in number songs
- early number language such as one, two, three, four, five
This matters because early numeracy is not just about recognising written numbers. It is also about hearing number words again and again, joining in, and beginning to understand what those words mean.
Why finger puppet books work so well
The puppet element helps hold a child’s attention and makes story time feel playful rather than formal.
You can use the puppet to:
- count the monkeys together
- point to monkeys on the page
- encourage your child to join in with repeated lines
- act out the rhyme
- pause and ask, “How many monkeys are left?”
That little bit of movement can make a big difference, especially for younger preschoolers who are still learning to sit, watch, listen, and join in.
Great for school readiness
Books like this support more than just counting.
They also help children practise:
- listening and attention
- turn-taking
- joining in with familiar words
- noticing pattern and sequence
- building confidence with early number language
These are all useful foundations for Reception, where children are expected to listen to stories, join in with rhymes, and begin exploring number in practical ways.
A good reminder: learning does not have to be expensive
One of the best things about little books like this is that they do not need to cost much.
This is exactly the sort of item parents can often pick up at boot fairs for about 20p, which makes it a brilliant low-cost find for home learning. Sometimes the best resources are not the newest or most expensive ones. They are the simple, well-loved books that children want to read again and again.
Easy ways to use this book at home
You do not need to “teach” with it. Just keep it playful.
Try:
- counting the monkeys on each page
- holding up fingers as you read
- asking, “How many now?”
- saying the number words slowly together
- using the puppet to “jump” as you tell the rhyme
Even two minutes of this kind of shared reading can help build familiarity with number language.
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