Roald Dahl: 123: (A Counting Board Book) Board book

Roald Dahl 123 Board Book is a bright and entertaining first-counting book that introduces young children to numbers from 1 to 10. Featuring the wonderfully mischievous Enormous Crocodile and Quentin Blake’s instantly recognisable illustrations, it transforms early number practice into a playful shared-reading adventure.

Young readers can count the characters and objects on each page while becoming familiar with written numerals. The sturdy board-book format is comfortable for little hands, and the large surprise flap adds an exciting interactive moment at the end of the book.

The Roald Dahl 123 Board Book introduces numbers through colourful illustrations and simple counting challenges.

Children can examine each page, identify the numeral and count the related characters or objects. Parents and caregivers can point to each item while saying one number at a time.

The book helps children practise:

• Recognising numbers from 1 to 10
• Saying numbers in the correct order
• Counting illustrated objects
• Connecting numerals with quantities
• Looking carefully at pictures
• Following simple questions
• Remembering number sequences
• Participating during shared reading

Children do not need to master every number immediately. Repeated, relaxed reading allows them to become familiar with the sequence gradually.

The main learning purpose of the Roald Dahl 123 Board Book is to help children count from one to ten.

Counting requires more than repeating number words. Children also need to understand that each number represents a particular quantity.

Adults can encourage accurate counting by asking children to point to every object once. This helps prevent them from skipping an item or counting the same object twice.

Useful questions include:

• Which number can you see?
• What number comes next?
• How many objects are shown?
• Can you count them again?
• Which group has more?
• Which group has fewer?
• Can you find the largest number?
• What comes before ten?

These questions turn reading into an active early-learning experience.

The Enormous Crocodile brings humour, mischief and excitement to the counting activities.

This character comes from Roald Dahl’s imaginative story world and appears throughout the book as children practise their first numbers. Quentin Blake’s lively artwork helps make the crocodile entertaining rather than intimidating.

Adults can ask children to describe the crocodile:

• Is he large or small?
• What colour is he?
• How many teeth can you see?
• Where is he hiding?
• What expression does he have?
• What do you think he will do next?

These conversations add descriptive vocabulary and storytelling to the number activities.

The Roald Dahl 123 Board Book is illustrated by Quentin Blake, whose expressive drawings are closely associated with Roald Dahl’s children’s stories.

The pictures provide visual clues that help children understand what they are counting. Young readers can point to the characters, compare sizes and identify colours while listening to the text.

Adults may extend the activity by asking children to find:

• A particular character
• A specific colour
• The largest object
• The smallest object
• Two matching items
• Something with teeth
• Something hiding
• A funny expression

This encourages children to look beyond the numeral and explore the complete illustration.

The official Penguin description confirms that the book contains one large flap with an enormous surprise.

Before opening it, parents can ask children to predict what might be hidden underneath. Predictions do not need to be correct. The activity encourages children to think about the pictures and communicate an idea.

The flap should be opened gently and returned carefully to its original position. Although the main pages are sturdy, interactive components can be more delicate than ordinary board pages.

The surprise element can make repeated readings enjoyable because children may look forward to revealing it again.

Some children can recite numbers in sequence before they can identify individual written numerals.

The Roald Dahl 123 Board Book provides repeated opportunities to see numerals from 1 to 10 alongside matching quantities.

Adults can point to a number and say its name clearly. The child can then repeat it and count the related pictures.

Additional number-recognition activities include:

• Ask the child to find number three.
• Point to two numbers and ask which is larger.
• Cover a number and ask what is missing.
• Find the number that comes before five.
• Find the number that follows seven.
• Match number cards with the book’s numerals.

Keep these activities short and suitable for the child’s current ability.

Each page encourages children to look carefully before answering a counting question.

They need to identify the objects, follow them visually and remember which ones have already been counted. These steps encourage concentration and attention to detail.

Parents should allow enough time for independent observation rather than immediately giving the answer.

When a mistake occurs, calmly count the objects together again. The objective is to build confidence and understanding, not to test the child under pressure.

Counting activities provide opportunities to introduce simple mathematical words.

Children can begin learning terms such as:

• Number
• Count
• One
• More
• Fewer
• Same
• Different
• First
• Last
• Large
• Small
• Total

Adults can use these words naturally while discussing the illustrations.

For example:

• Which group has more?
• Are these two groups the same?
• Which object is first?
• What is the total?
• Which character is the largest?

This helps children understand that number learning includes comparison and description as well as counting.

The title is published as a 20-page board book by Puffin.

Board pages are generally easier for small hands to hold and turn than thin paper pages. The sturdy format also supports repeated shared reading.

The compact square book is suitable for:

• Family reading time
• Early-learning sessions
• Children’s bookshelves
• Quiet afternoon activities
• Preschool reading corners
• Bedtime reading
• Supervised travel
• Roald Dahl collections

The book should still be handled carefully and stored away from food, liquids, excessive heat and moisture.

The Roald Dahl 123 Board Book is ideal for reading with a parent, grandparent, teacher, caregiver or older sibling.

An adult can read the prompts, point to the illustrations and guide the child through each counting activity. Children can participate by pointing, repeating number names and answering simple questions.

Shared reading can support:

• Listening skills
• Number vocabulary
• Visual observation
• Speaking confidence
• Memory
• Early comprehension
• Turn-taking
• Enjoyment of books

Young readers may gradually begin leading the counting as they become more familiar with the pages.

Recognising and counting numbers from 1 to 10 can help children feel more comfortable with early preschool and classroom activities.

The book provides practice with:

• Following instructions
• Looking from left to right
• Pointing to individual objects
• Counting in sequence
• Recognising numerals
• Checking an answer
• Taking turns
• Concentrating on one page

The activities should remain enjoyable and should not be treated as a formal mathematics examination.

The Roald Dahl 123 Board Book offers a hands-on alternative to mobile phones, tablets, television and video games.

Children participate actively by looking, counting, pointing, speaking and lifting the flap.

Related screen-free activities may include:

• Counting toy animals
• Sorting blocks into groups
• Finding numbers around the home
• Matching numeral cards
• Counting books on a shelf
• Drawing groups of objects
• Arranging toys from one to ten
• Counting steps with an adult

These activities connect the numbers in the book with familiar everyday experiences.

Begin by looking at the cover and asking the child which numbers they recognise.

Read each page slowly and point to every object while counting. Encourage the child to repeat the numbers and check the final quantity.

Keep sessions short and positive. A child may prefer to explore only a few numbers before taking a break.

Praise concentration and effort rather than focusing only on correct answers.

Allow the child to open the surprise flap carefully, and store the book safely after reading.

Product title: Roald Dahl’s 1 2 3
Official title: Roald Dahl: 123
Subtitle: A Counting Board Book
SEO product title: Roald Dahl 123 Board Book
Author: Roald Dahl
Illustrator: Quentin Blake
Publisher/Imprint: Puffin
Format: Board book
Language: English
Page count: 20 pages
ISBN-13: 9780241330364
ISBN-10: 024133036X
Publication date: 14 June 2018
Dimensions: 187 × 19 × 188 mm
Publisher-listed weight: 425 grams
Numbers covered: 1 to 10
Interactive feature: One large surprise flap
Featured character: The Enormous Crocodile
Suitable for: First counting, shared reading and early-learning collections

Roald Dahl 123 Board Book combines first-number learning, a humorous Roald Dahl character and Quentin Blake’s colourful illustrations in one sturdy early-learning title.

Children can count from 1 to 10, connect written numerals with quantities and practise observation through playful illustrations. The large flap adds an interactive surprise that encourages prediction and participation.

Its sturdy format makes the Roald Dahl 123 Board Book suitable for repeated family reading, early-learning activities and young readers beginning to explore numbers.

Choose the Roald Dahl 123 Board Book for a colourful counting adventure filled with numbers, laughter and an enormous crocodile surprise.

View the official publication details for

Roald Dahl 123 Board Book on Penguin Books