My Books

King’s Day Out

Kings Day Out King Takes A Bath book cover
Kings Day Out The Car Wash book cover

Travel along with King, a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy, and his friends as they experience, observe, and grow through new experiences together.

The Adventures of Keeno & Ernest

The Adventures of Keeno and Ernest: A New Friend book cover
The Adventures of Keeno and Ernest: The Diamond Mine book cover
The Adventures of Keeno and Ernest: The Banana Tree book cover

Will Keeno’s monkey business get him in trouble? It usually does!

The Banana Tree coloring page

RESOURCES

King Takes A Bath maze activity

Free Downloadable
Activities & Learning Tools

Check out our activities, coloring pages, and teacher resources – available now as a free download!

Book Reviews

  • “For anyone anxious about the tub, this story is as warm and comforting as a nice, relaxing bath.”

    Chris Van Dusen, Author/Illustrator of The Circus Ship

  • “My son loves Maggie's books, and we love gifting them as well! Her characters and their adventures are charming. Her latest work touches on sensory issues and it's wonderful to see representation of neurodiversity in children's literature.”

    Sarah Alexandra Wolf, Mom

  • “Maggie's books are not only fun, adventurous, and entertaining but they are also educational and always have a great message to relay! I highly recommend her book series in your kid’s home library!”

    Leat Regwan, Magic Beans Bookstore

  • “The Adventures of Keeno and Ernst and King's Day Out are my kid’s favorite books. They ask me to read them every night! Wonderful stories and wonderful lessons for us all!!”

    Nicole De Pena, Mom

  • “Any parent of a child with sensory difficulties or just difficulties with new adventures or tasks like taking a bath should read this book to their little ones to help them prepare! 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

  • “King Takes a Bath is thought out to draw a clear picture of some of the tools used for a neurodivergent child. I loved that there was an opportunity for the readers to engage throughout the book. It gets the child who is reading it engaged with their own movement and brings them into that physical feeling that accompanies this story.”

    Mandy Jalbert, Mother of an Autistic child and a neurotypical child

  • “Maggie and Dr. Amy have done it again! This second book in the King's Day Out series provides kids and parents with a fun story, specific steps, and helpful tips to decrease stress at bath time, which can be anxiety provoking for kids with sensory issues. Filled with beautiful illustrations and interactive activities, this book lends itself to great discussions about challenges and unfamiliar experiences beyond bath time. A wonderful addition to school, counselor, and family libraries!”

    Noel Foy, Anxiety Coach, Award Winning Children's Author, and Founder of Neuro Noel Consulting

  • “The entire book is thought out to draw a clear picture of some of the tools used for a neurodivergent child. I loved that there was an opportunity for the readers to engage throughout the book – shake shake shake, sniff / dip / float – it gets the child who is reading it engaged with their own movement and brings them into that physical feeling that accompanies this story.”

    Mandy Jalbert, Physical Therapist Assistant and mother of an Autistic child and a neurotypical child. 

GIVING BACK

Canines For Disabled Kids logo

Now Supporting:
Canines for Disabled Kids

Nothing fills my heart more than giving back to organizations that support children and/or animals! I found one that does both!

Canines for Disabled Kids increases independence for children with disabilities and their families by promoting service dog partnerships, understanding, and awareness throughout the community.

From November 1, 2024 - May 1, 2025, join me in supporting Canines for Disabled Kids! 15% of all book proceeds purchased through my website will be donated directly to this amazing cause!

King’s Day Out Collection

Empowering children as they navigate life's sensory adventures

Travel along with King, a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy, and his friends as they experience, observe, and grow through new experiences together. 

Each story introduces a new adventure, the sensory challenges that can be associated with it, and some tools to help overcome any fears and anxieties. Whether a child benefits from OT-specific strategies or from learning by successfully regulating unfamiliar experiences, these books can support all children as they navigate new adventures.

Kings Day Out The Car Wash book cover and inside mockup

The Car Wash

Will King take a bath at the car wash?

King and Ben head to the car wash, where their senses are tested to the limits as they fully experience the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings associated with this new activity.

A look inside…

Illustration of Ben and King snuggling under a blanket in the backseat of a car going through the car wash
Illustration of King with his head out the car window
Ben and his parent high five in the car as they drive away from the car wash
Illustration of Ben's bag with headphones, a stuffed bunny, a water bottle, pencils, and a Schedule for the day
King Takes A Bath book cover mock up

King Takes A Bath

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!

A look inside…

Illustration of Ben's Adventure Time Bag for Bath Time, including his wash chart, stuffed bunny, bag of soaps, and a rubber ducky
Illustrations of King playing in the garden
Illustration of King's friends, including a turtle, a stuffed bunny, a garden gnome, and a rubber ducky

Free Resource!

Kings Wash Chart graphic

Meet the King's Day Out Authors & Illustrator

Maggie Van Galen headshot
  • Maggie van Galen is an author and wordmsmith. Her previous works, The Adventures of Keeno and Ernest children’s book series have all received the nationally acclaimed Mom’s Choice Awards. 

    Maggie is the winner of the 2014 and 2015 “50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading” awards from The Authors Show.

    Maggie lives on the North Shore of Massachusetts with her husband, two sons, a cat, and their Bernese Mountain Dog, Koning (Dutch for King!)

    Bring Maggie to your classroom

Amy Wheadon headshot
  • Amy Wheadon is a pediatric occupational therapist, the owner of kidSHINE LLC in Rowley, Boxford, and Amesbury, Massachusetts, and the owner of the EXERSHINEkids Power Bootcamp Program®—a structured, evidence-based program that uses intense physical exercise as a change agent to improve self-regulation skills in children with sensory differences. 

    Amy lives on the North Shore of Massachusetts with her three children and their puppy, Luna.

    More About Amy’s Work

Leslie Beauregard headshot
  • Leslie is an artist who loves to create vibrant and whimsical narrative art for children’s books. Her hope is that her work is engaging and makes people smile.

    Leslie Beauregard lives north of Boston, Massachusetts with her husband and their rescue dog, Skipper. She is a member of the Seacoast Artist Association, the Newburyport Art Association, the Greater Haverhill Arts Association, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

    More About Leslie’s Work

Book Maggie At Your School

Several hand-written thank you cards with words and drawings by preschoolers

Check out all of the fun “thank you” cards Maggie received after visiting a preschool. This is what it’s all about!

Adventures of Keeno & Ernest

Children’s Book Collection

These heartwarming stories tell the tales of two best friends navigating the adventures of life in the jungle. Keeno, a mischievous monkey, seems to always go against the advice of his best friend, a wise elephant named Ernest, only to find himself in trouble. Follow the adventures as Keeno ends up in great danger and relies on Ernest to rescue him. In the end, Keeno learns some very valuable life lessons.

The Adventures of Keeno & Ernest The Banana Tree book cover

The Banana Tree

In The Banana Tree, Keeno spots a big, shiny banana tree, but it is far away—all the way on the other side of the river of their jungle home—and his parents have told him never to cross the river without an adult. Ernest reminds him of this, but Keeno decides to cross anyway. When he finds himself in great danger, he must rely on his friend Ernest to rescue him! In the end, Keeno learns two very valuable lessons about friendship and following family rules.

A look inside…

Illustration of a monkey climbing a tree with an elephant looking up at him from the ground
Illustration of a monkey, Keeno, on a raft paddling toward a banana tree
Illustration of a monkey floating down a river on a raft and a toucan flying overhead
Illustration of a monkey on a raft and an elephant and a toucan in a river
The Adventures of Keeno & Ernest The Diamond Mine book cover

The Diamond Mine

In The Diamond Mine, Keeno wants to give his mom a beautiful diamond from the diamond mine and plans to swap it out for the river rock he has found. Ernest explains that this would be stealing, but Keeno decides it’s just a trade. Follow the adventure as Keeno finds himself in great danger and relies on Ernest to rescue him…again! In the end, Keeno learns two very valuable lessons about friendship and asking before taking.

A look inside…

An illustration of a monkey and an elephant near a tree
An illustration of a monkey trapped in a net while a toucan perches nearby
An illustration of an elephant, a monkey, and toucan in the forest
An illustration of an elephant walking through the forest
The Adventures of Keeno & Ernest A New Friend book cover

A New Friend

In A New Friend, Keeno attempts to answer the question: Can monkey’s fly? He is determined to try when he meets a new friend. One day, Keeno meets a fancy new friend who has him making all kinds of changes. Will this new acquaintance win him over? Will his tried and true friendship with Ernest be tested? Follow the adventures as Keeno finds himself lost, scared and soaking wet! In the end, Keeno learns two very valuable lessons about friendship and being himself.

A look inside…

An illustration of a monkey swinging from vines among the trees
An illustration of a monkey standing by a river in the jungle
An illustration of an elephant in a river in the jungle with smaller animals riding on his back while two birds fly overhead
An illustration of a big blue bird with a monkey, a tiger cub, and a baby wolf

Awards & Certifications

Ella's Way Kindness Certification

Kindness Certified
by
Ella’s Way

The Car Wash & King Takes A Bath are both Kindness Certified by Ella’s Way. They’re featured in Ella’s Way collection of heartwarming stories sensitively introducing diversity, disability, and differences in ​childhood friendships.

Mom's Choice Awards Honoring Excellence award

Mom’s Choice Awards Silver Recipient

All books in The Adventures of Keeno and Ernest series have been named a Mom’s Choice Awards® Recipient in family-friendly media, products, and services!

Story Monsters Approved logo

Story Monsters Approved

The Story Monsters Approved book designation program recognizes and honors authors in the field of children’s literature whose books inspire, inform, teach, or entertain.

StoryTime Design award logo

Best Picture Book from StoryTime by Design

The Banana Tree has been awarded the “This Book Rocks! StoryTime Jam” award for best picture book from StoryTime by Design.

An illustration of King playing in a garden
An illustration of a potted plant with a stuffed bunny and a tennis ball

Join in on all the adventures!