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!
Download King’s Wash Chart
Just like a visual schedule, but specific for bath time!
King Takes a Bath is Kindness Certified by ELLA’S WAY!
The Ella’s Way collection of heartwarming stories sensitively introduce diversity, disability and differences in childhood friendships. With talented authors from around the world, we offer unique books and endless opportunities to create conversations in kindness.
“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
Bathing is a highly sensory experience, and children who are sensory sensitive and/or seeking can benefit from a regulating bath routine, especially when the experience is infused with calming strategies. Regulating in the bath will promote a positive bath time experience and prime the child’s nervous system for a restful, “just right” feeling.
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.
“I absolutely love the book! What a great follow up to King's Day Out. Baths and showers are such a huge sensor issue for many children. The connection between getting dirty and getting clean is wonderful. The illustrations are again magnificent. I especially love that there are examples of visual schedules which are so important to many children.”
— Linda Witz, Special Education Teacher/Evaluation Team Facilitator
“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 in this type of situation. It does this very clearly and with obvious examples… 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, Mother of an Autistic child (5) and a neurotypical child (4). Physical Therapist Asst.
“…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