12 Months, 12 Books – Preschool Edition
Books we love at Children First – Zurich
At Children First, we believe that early literacy is the foundation of confident learning. In our preschool and early years programme in Zurich, books are not just part of the curriculum — they are part of our culture.
This carefully selected list of 12 preschool books (recommended for children aged approximately 2–5 years) supports language development, emotional intelligence, imagination, and school readiness. These books are designed to be read aloud by adults, encouraging connection, dialogue, and shared discovery.
For international families in Zurich looking for a nurturing, bilingual preschool environment, shared reading is one of the most powerful tools we use to:
- Build vocabulary and communication skills
- Strengthen emotional security
- Develop listening and concentration
- Encourage creativity and independent thinking
- Foster empathy and social awareness
Repetition plays a key role in early childhood education. When children hear the same story again and again, they gain confidence, anticipate language patterns, and internalise new vocabulary naturally.
January: The Gruffalo – Julia Donaldson
What it’s about:
A clever mouse invents a scary creature to protect himself in the forest, only to discover that the creature might not be imaginary after all.
Why we love it:
Its strong rhythm, repetition, and humour make it a favourite for group reading and dramatic storytelling.
What it develops:
Sequencing skills, expressive language, memory, problem-solving, and imaginative thinking.
February: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? – Bill Martin Jr. & Eric Carle
What it’s about:
A rhythmic journey through colours and animals, with predictable repetition that invites participation.
Why we love it:
Children quickly memorise the structure and begin “reading” along with the adult.
What it develops:
Colour recognition, prediction skills, phonological awareness, and early reading confidence.
March: Be Kind – Pat Zietlow Miller
What it’s about:
A gentle exploration of what kindness means in everyday situations.
Why we love it:
It opens meaningful discussions about empathy in our preschool classrooms.
What it develops:
Emotional intelligence, perspective-taking, and social awareness.
April: The Rainbow Fish – Marcus Pfister
What it’s about:
A beautiful fish learns that sharing and connection matter more than admiration.
Why we love it:
It naturally introduces conversations about belonging and friendship.
What it develops:
Sharing skills, empathy, community awareness.
May: The Snail and the Whale – Julia Donaldson
What it’s about:
A small snail travels the world on the tail of a whale, discovering oceans and distant lands.
Why we love it:
It inspires curiosity about the wider world — something many international families value.
What it develops:
Geographical awareness, aspiration, courage, and vocabulary expansion.
June: There’s a Bear on My Chair – Ross Collins
What it’s about:
A mouse tries to reclaim his chair from an unbothered bear in a humorous exchange.
Why we love it:
The rhyming language makes it perfect for developing phonological awareness.
What it develops:
Sound recognition, rhythm, expressive storytelling.
July: Oh, Carrots! – Mariajo Ilustrajo
What it’s about:
A playful misunderstanding that highlights creative thinking.
Why we love it:
It encourages children to see situations from different perspectives.
What it develops:
Inference skills, flexible thinking, visual literacy.
August: Good Night, Gorilla – Peggy Rathmann
What it’s about:
A nearly wordless bedtime story full of subtle humour and visual storytelling.
Why we love it:
Children become active narrators by interpreting the images.
What it develops:
Narrative construction, observation skills, early storytelling confidence.
September: The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear – Don & Audrey Wood
What it’s about:
A small mouse worries about protecting his strawberry from a mysterious bear.
Why we love it:
It builds suspense in a safe and playful way.
What it develops:
Emotional regulation, anticipation, engagement with narrative tension.
October: Busy, Busy World – Richard Scarry
What it’s about:
A detailed look at cities, jobs, and community life around the world.
Why we love it:
It connects children to real-world roles and responsibilities.
What it develops:
Vocabulary growth, community awareness, curiosity about everyday life.
November: Hubert’s Hair-Raising Adventure – Bill Peet
What it’s about:
A lion with unusual hair learns to embrace his uniqueness.
Why we love it:
It encourages discussions about identity and self-acceptance.
What it develops:
Self-esteem, resilience, confidence.
December: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt – Michael Rosen
What it’s about:
A rhythmic adventure through grass, mud, and snow on a family journey.
Why we love it:
Children engage physically, acting out the story.
What it develops:
Listening skills, sequencing, sensory language, movement integration.
Why does reading matter at Children First?
For families searching for a high-quality preschool in Zurich, early literacy is more than preparing for primary school, it is about developing confident, expressive, emotionally secure children. At Children First, education begins with the heart. We guide children with empathy and intention, supporting them as individuals while building strong academic foundations.
Would you like to experience how we foster a love of learning in our preschool classrooms?
Schedule a visit and discover Children First Zurich firsthand.
