King Takes a Bath
&
The Car Wash
​


​The King's Day Out book series is designed to be a resource for all children, families, therapists and
pediatric medical professionals. These books provide concrete examples of common tools used to
support children at home, in the classroom and in the world. 

Ben helps King navigate his first tubby! After a day of working hard, playing, and getting dirty in the garden, King, a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy, is nervous about taking a bath.  King's best friend Ben, a boy with sensory sensitivities, shares the tools he's learned in occupational therapy (OT) to help King overcome his fear and anxiety.

​In the end, King is sparkling clean and so happy that Ben helped him stay calm during his first bath time! Now they are both ready to chill out with a relaxing cuddle and their favorite story! Whether a child benefits from OT-specific strategies or from learning by successfully regulating unfamiliar experiences, this book can support all children as they navigate new adventures.

Will King take a bath at the car wash?  Ride along with King, a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy, and his best friend, a boy named Ben, as they go on an adventure to the car wash. The two friends' senses are tested to the limits as King and Ben experience the sights, sounds, smells and feelings associated with this new activity. Ben, a child with sensory differences, shares the tools he's learned in occupational therapy (OT) to help King overcome his fear and anxiety.

In the end, King and Ben are proud of themselves for conquering the car wash and excited to head to the park for some playtime!  Whether a child benefits from OT-specific strategies or from learning by successfully regulating unfamiliar experiences, this book can support all children as they navigate new adventures.

​Maggie van Galen, Co-Author

Maggie van Galen is an author, storyteller, writer and co-owner of King’s Day Out LLC. Her previous works, The Adventures of Keeno and Ernest children’s book series, have all received the nationally acclaimed Mom’s Choice Awards.

Maggie grew up in northern Michigan and has written from the time that she was a young girl. She graduated from Michigan State University studying advertising, journalism and creative writing. After starting her family, the children’s stories began to flow and her life as an author and storyteller began.

​Maggie lives in Georgetown, Massachusetts with her husband, two sons, a cat and their Bernese Mountain Dog, Koning (Dutch for King).  Website

Dr. Amy Wheadon, Co-Author

Dr. Amy Wheadon, OT, OTD, OTR is a pediatric occupational therapist, the owner of kidSHINE LLC in Rowley and Amesbury, MA and co-owner of King’s Day Out LLC.  She is also the creator and founder of the evidence based, kidSHINE Bootcamp Program ®, a program that uses intense physical exercise to improve self-regulation in children with sensory processing challenges.
 
Amy grew up in Westchester County, New York. After graduating from Colby College, she completed her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at Boston University and her Doctorate in OT at NEIT.  Over the past 20 years, Amy has worked as an occupational therapist in both public school systems and in outpatient pediatric clinics. Amy continues to merge her love of working with children with her passion for exercise and fitness at kidSHINE LLC.
 
Amy lives north of Boston with her three children and their puppy, Luna.  Website


​Loads of FREE downloads available at King's Day Out! 
​

​Reviews:​

King Takes a Bath

"King helps us realize that even everyday tasks can be difficult, but with a little help, friendship, and sensory strategies we can get through it together!"  -Whitney Lear, OTR/L Occupational therapist and owner of Green Eggs Therapy

"Baths and showers are such a huge sensory issue for many children...especially love the examples of visual schedules which are so important to many children." -Linda Witz, Special Education Teacher/Evaluation Team Facilitor

"For anyone anxious about the tub, this story is as warm and comforting as a nice, relaxing bath."  -Chris Van Dusen, Author/Illustrator
​

The Car Wash

"This book is beautifully written and beautifully illustrated! Told from the point of view of the puppy, it's a very calming step-by-step description of a day at the car wash, an experience that might be a fun ride for some children but overwhelming to others. It includes a list of supplies that could make the experience easier. It's also interactive, asking kids to count the tennis balls in the book and make a list of what they would put in their adventure bag." -Amazon Review

"We love King's Day Out and will read it again and again whenever we have a new challenge to tackle or if we just want to see King's sweet face! Thank you for sharing your story!" -Amazon Review

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Photo courtesy of Pant the Town Photography

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Ella's Way, where kindness starts early.