Counting Petals uses the counting format to introduce the lovely flowers of Hawai'i and to practice counting. The photographs were snapped with a digital camera while walking in the neighborhoods, parks, school grounds and botanical gardens in Honolulu, Hawai'i.

Counting is a forerunner in the learning of basic mathematics. Counting involves being able to match objects. In this book it is the matching of numerals in a given sequence to the petals of a flower. It also involves representing sets of objects by numerals. Children should be encouraged to count when an opportunity presents itself.