Five Little Monkeys Play Hide and Seek: A Mischievous Picture Book About Bedtime Counting for Kids (Ages 4-7) (A Five Little Monkeys Story)
Quick take
This sturdy board book turns bedtime into an interactive counting game, using a hide-and-seek story where a caretaker counts along as the monkeys “hide.” It is a strong pick for children who like repetition, rhymes, and practicing number recognition, including counting past 100. The tradeoff is that the experience is very read-aloud and routine-based, so families looking for lots of story variety may want a different type of book.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Board book format (sturdy, kid-friendly pages) with a short 32-page length.
- Rhyming, read-aloud style text with a counting refrain.
- Encourages participation while counting up to 104, not just to 10.
- Engaging “mischief at bedtime” storyline that fits routine reading.
Cons
- Most effective for families who do repeated nightly reading, because the format relies on familiar repetition.
- Best suited to young children in the preschool range, so older readers may outgrow the simplicity.
What buyers think
Buyer-review evidence is strongly positive, with many families describing this series as a household favorite they read frequently. The most common themes are that children enjoy the hide-and-seek premise, parents can easily make the counting part interactive during read-aloud time, and the book helps with number recognition and counting progression. Several readers also highlight the appeal for bedtime routines and the fact that it reaches counting beyond 100, which stands out compared with many early number books. A few reviews focus on condition, packaging, and delivery speed, but those details do not consistently indicate a product-level issue, so buyer-review patterns remain centered on engagement and learning through repetition.
What this book is and how it works
“Five Little Monkeys Play Hide and Seek” is a board book for bedtime reading that follows a caregiver (Lulu) as the five little monkeys try to stretch out bedtime with one more game of hide-and-seek. The text uses a rhyming, read-aloud rhythm, and it builds in a counting refrain as Lulu counts from smaller numbers up to 104. The result is a story you can treat like an interactive lesson, especially when your child points to numbers, says them out loud, or anticipates what comes next.
Learning value for early numbers
The core learning hook is counting integrated into the story. Instead of separating “practice time” from bedtime, the numbers are part of the fun. That can be helpful for kids who enjoy songs, predictable refrains, and story-based repetition. Because the counting extends to 104, it can also support parents who want their child to move beyond the earliest number range (for example, into the 70s and beyond) while still keeping the experience playful.
Board book and format details
This edition is designed as a sturdy board book, with 32 pages and a compact format that works well for small hands and travel bedside reading. It is published in English by Clarion Books, and it fits the preschool age band (reading age is listed as 2 to 4 years by customers, with a grade level noted as Preschool to 3). The book is part of the “Five Little Monkeys” story series, which can matter if your child already enjoys earlier titles.
Who it’s best for
- Parents, babysitters, or caregivers looking for a bedtime read-aloud that also practices counting and number recognition.
- Kids who love the Five Little Monkeys characters, repeating stories, and interactive refrains.
- Families who want early math exposure that goes past 10 and up toward 100+ while staying in picture-book simplicity.
Who should skip or consider alternatives
- Children who do not enjoy repeating the same story nightly, since the book is most effective as a routine you read over and over.
- Older kids who already handle advanced counting and number concepts, because the story and number progression are geared toward early learners.
- Anyone seeking a “read once and move on” type of book or a collection with varied activities per session.
Pros and cons recap
Pros: sturdy board book, rhyming read-aloud style, interactive counting up to 104, and a bedtime-friendly plot with kid-friendly mischief. Cons: the value is strongest with repeated nightly reading and within the young preschool audience.
Price and availability
Pricing can vary by retailer and over time. If you want the most current option for your area, check the latest listing.
FAQs
Is this a board book or a paperback?
It is a board book, designed to be sturdier for young children and repeated bedtime reading.
What age range is this picture book for?
It is positioned for preschool to early readers, with a customer-listed reading age of about 2 to 4 years, and it is described for kids ages 4 to 7 on the title.
Does the book only count to 10?
No. The counting refrain progresses beyond early numbers and includes counting up to 104.
Is it good for read-alouds?
Yes. The story uses rhyming, repeatable wording and invites children to join in as the caregiver counts.
Is it part of a series?
Yes, it belongs to the “A Five Little Monkeys Story” series.
Bottom line
Choose “Five Little Monkeys Play Hide and Seek” if you want a sturdy bedtime board book that turns counting into a playful, participatory read-aloud, including number practice that reaches 100+. If your child prefers a wide variety of stories or does not enjoy repetition, you may want to pair it with other book types for more variety.
Specifications
| Product Title | Five Little Monkeys Play Hide and Seek: A Mischievous Picture Book About Bedtime Counting for Kids (Ages 4-7) (A Five Little Monkeys Story) |
|---|---|
| Category | Books > Children's Books > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Family Life > Babysitting |
| Item Weight | 2.31 pounds |
| Publisher | Clarion Books |
| Publication date | September 22, 2020 |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 32 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0358362652 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0358362654 |
| Reading age | 2 - 4 years, from customers |
| Dimensions | 7.5 x 0.69 x 6.75 inches |
| Part of series | A Five Little Monkeys Story |
| Grade level | Preschool - 3 |