Originally reviewed July 6, 2022. Updated September 2026.

Preschool is a major milestone for children and parents. A new classroom, unfamiliar routines, and new friends can feel exciting—but also a little overwhelming. The First 12 Days of Preschool: Reading, Singing, and Dancing Can Prepare Kiddos and Parents! offers a playful way to help children feel more comfortable with the preschool experience.

Written by Jeanette Crystal Bradley, a veteran educator, the sing-along picture book introduces children to a group of animal friends as they learn important preschool lessons. Colorful illustrations, rhythmic text, and music make the book engaging for young children and encourage them to participate as they read, sing, or dance along.

The story also invites conversations about what children may experience at school. Parents can ask questions such as:

  • Do animals take naps at school?

  • Can cats become superheroes?

  • Which hand does an octopus write with?

  • What might you do if you need help in the classroom?

  • How can you make a new friend?

These lighthearted questions can help children discuss school routines, express their feelings, and imagine positive experiences before their first day. Reading the book together may also give parents opportunities to talk about sharing, listening, following directions, cleaning up, and trying new things.

Bradley brings nearly 25 years of experience working with preschool children to her writing and music. Her approach combines learning with humor, imagination, and movement, helping children build confidence through play.

The First 12 Days of Preschool also supports the Olivia Hudson Foundation, which funds pediatric brain cancer research, assists families in financial need, and increases awareness of childhood brain cancer. Copies of the book have been donated to hospitals serving children and families.jeanettecrystalbradley+1

The First 12 Days of Preschool
Jeanette Crystal Bradley, Author
Anna Fox, Illustrator

Buy it here