Danica McKellar Announces Kids Book About Counting to 100: ‘It’s Never Too Late to Start’ (Exclusive)

Danica McKellar is aiming to educate and entertain young readers in a new kids book.

PEOPLE can exclusively share the cover of I Love You 100: A Counting Book Full of Love, the latest book from the Wonder Years actress and award-winning mathematician. Featuring illustrations by Josée Masse, the book will arrive via Random House Books for Young Readers this fall.

I Love You 100, aimed at readers ages 4 to 8, shares the story of a mother and son on a day spent together. As they play with toy boats, clean up messes and swing, Mom counts up the reasons why she loves her child, assuring him that there’s “no shortage of love,” per the book’s synopsis.

McKellar, author of bestselling books like Math Doesn’t Suck, as well as kids books Ten Magic Butterflies and Goodnight Numbers, tells PEOPLE that she wrote her latest publication with a particular audience in mind.

“I’m passionate about demystifying math concepts in entertaining ways for kids and encouraging them to embrace their smarts — especially girls, who too often feel discouraged in math,” McKellar says. “I Love You 100  is my 12th McKellar Math book, and will mark 20 years of being a math author and inspiring kids of all ages. I’ve been blessed with countless success stories over the years, including meeting young women who have told me they used to be terrified of math but after reading my books have become engineers at NASA!”

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McKellar also says that the picture book holds a personal connection for her, as well as her son, Draco, 14.

“I Love You 100 is incredibly special to me because it was inspired by a game I played with my son when he was young: We would count to 100 together, alternating numbers and saying ‘I love you’ each time,” the author adds. “I took the opportunity in this book not only to teach kids how to count to 100, but also to demonstrate a mother’s unconditional love to her child — no matter what the child’s mood.”

McKellar’s advocacy for math education has earned her accolades such as the 2014 Joint Policy Board for Mathematics Communication Award, and she even testified about the importance of women in STEM before a congressional subcommittee in 2000. Her latest book continues to spread her message — but includes a new story about love too.

“The importance of our children knowing deep in their gut how loved they are cannot be overstated, whether they are happy or sad, well-behaved or acting out … and that’s at the heart of this book,” McKellar says.

“Yes, it will teach your kids to count to 100, but more importantly, it creates a setting in which to reassure your child, in a way that can be repeated again and again, that your love is unconditional — all while creating a happy, safe association with numbers that will ripple into their future, helping to strengthen the next generation’s relationship — and success — with math. It’s never too soon to start!”

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I Love You 100: A Counting Book Full of Love will be published on Nov. 4 and is now available for preorder, wherever books are sold.