Step 1. Build numbers beyond 10 (10-13)
Step 3. Build numbers beyond 10 (14-20)
Children have been learning how to build numbers beyond ten. They have been saying the numbers out loud and learning that each number indicates a certain quantity. Children can be encouraged to see these numbers as ‘ten and a bit’.
Children might f ind it challenging to count and understand the value of numbers beyond ten, so regular opportunities to practise the order of these numbers, and to see the numbers as made up of ‘ten and a bit’ is helpful. In this book, children are shown a variety of representations of numbers: in a line, in patterns, and in groups of ten and a bit.
This story is designed for an adult to read to a child. A child may be able to read the larger, decodable text.
Written by Rachel Russ
Gus and Meg were having a very exciting morning. They were on a raft trip on the river ... and that wasn’t even the most exciting part!
How many f lowers can you see on the bush?
one.
They were on their way to an island, where they were going to camp for the night.
The friends had been planning the trip for ages.
Camping will be fun!
‘Here we are!’ said Gus, carefully steering the raft to the riverbank.
Meg secured the raft to a tree trunk, and Gus started to unload their camping things.
After setting up their tents, Gus and Meg explored the island.
Then they ate a picnic dinner.
‘What a perfect day!’ said Meg, looking up at the twinkling stars.
‘I love camping!’ Gus agreed.
The next morning, the friends had breakfast.
After that, they packed up. It was time to go home.
We can row back now.
Look at the top picture. How many leaves are on Gus’s branch? This number has ten and four.
Talking with children about maths concepts can help deepen their understanding and grow their mathematical skills. Children also benef it from hearing and using key maths vocabulary in multiple contexts. Some suggestions to support children in learning through talk have been included in this story.
The following words and phrases are highlighted in bold in the book. The numbers one to twenty are also highlighted in bold because they are key words in this book.
altogether ADVERB (pages 8, 10) including everything or everyone; in total • I’ve collected ten stickers altogether.
Phrase how many
count VERB counts, counting, counted (pages 10, 23, 24) to use numbers to f ind out how many people, animals, or things there are
number NOUN numbers (pages 6, 8, 23) a symbol or word that tells you how many of something there are
adventure NOUN adventures (page 23) something exciting or dangerous that someone does enough DETERMINER (page 23) as much or as many as you need explore VERB explores, exploring, explored (page 5)
To explore a place is to travel through it in order to f ind out more about it.
• They spent the day exploring the caves.
raft NOUN rafts (pages 2, 3, 4, 7, 23) a floating platform of logs or barrels tied together
river NOUN rivers (pages 2, 8, 11, 12, 13, 18, 21)
a large natural stream of water flowing along a channel
secure ADJECTIVE (page 4) firm and safe • Is that ladder secure?
secure VERB secures, securing, secured (page 4)
To secure something is to make it safe or f irmly f ixed.
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Illustrations © Pauline Gregory 2025
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Acknowledgements
Written by Rachel Russ
Illustrated by Pauline Gregory
The publisher wishes to thank White Rose Maths, MK Connolly, and Voice 21 for their help in producing this book.
Build numbers beyond 10 (10-20)
Written by Rachel Russ Illustrated by Pauline Gregory
