Cindy Pacino

Much like many educators, it was always a dream of mine to become a teacher. This passion really blossomed ten years ago, when I took the bull by the horns, and joined the transitional kindergarten program development team for my district. One would say, I saddled up with a Masters in Early Childhood Education and a Child Development Program Director Permit. I paved the path in creating a district program ensuring transitional kindergarten students had a developmentally appropriate classroom. I became extremely passionate to be the voice for these littles. On this quest of developing and crafting a program, I quickly learned that there was a deficit of literature that explains what their day looks like. In hopes of building comfort on their first days, I got to work creating "Hooray for TK!" with my amazing and talented illustrator, Zuzana Vass.

During the creativity process, I decided I could create the same type of book for preschoolers. My second book, "Hooray for Pre-K!" is also a book which walks the children through their first day of pre-k. The characters and storyline are the same. However, the words are changed from 'TK' to 'Pre-K'. The vibrant colors and illustrations are captivating and will engage even the youngest of preschoolers.

Due to the success of "Hooray for TK!" and "Hooray for Pre-K!", I also created coloring books to accompany each book. The coloring books have coloring, tracing, and drawing activities which are developmentally appropriate for this age group. These books can be used at the beginning of the school year at home with parents or in the classroom.

The following year I wrote "Hooray for TK! It's Our Last Day" and "Hooray for Pre-K! It's Our Last Day!". These books help students understand what kindergarten will be like for them. They will see the same characters from "Hooray for TK!" and "Hooray for Pre-K!" and how they have grown throughout the year.

In 2023, I wrote "Hooray for TK! Alphabet Halloween", "Hooray for Pre-K! Alphabet Halloween", "Alphabet Halloween", "Hooray for TK! ¡Hurra! ¡TK es Alegría!", "Hooray for Pre-K! ¡Hurra! ¡Pre-K es Alegría!", "Hooray for TK! It's Our Last Day! ¡Hurra! ¡TK es Alegría! ¡Es El Último Día!", and "Hooray for Pre-K! It's Our Last Day! ¡Hurra! ¡Es El Último Día!".

I am committed to creating more books in hopes of building a library meant for transitional kindergarten and preschool students.