Ten, Nine, Eight by Molly Bang, 1983. Caldecott Honor Book. This book is a short story that uses counting to describe the bedtime process of the main character. It's illustrations won it the Caldecott Honor.
Blurb: This book would be perfect as a bedtime story or to use to calm children down. As well as to learn counting (up to ten).
Quote: “4 sleepy eyes which open and close.“