Every one of these started the same way. A daughter or son, already half asleep, asking for just one more.
These are the stories a father made up at bedtime for his own three children, written down and illustrated so other families can climb into the same bed and ask for one more too.
See Our Books Our Promise to Parents"No, Daddy. Do Made Up Stories. Do Made Up Stories."
Night after night, three children piled into one bed and asked for the same thing. Not a book off the shelf. A made up story, invented on the spot, about wherever their imagination wanted to wander that night. A pumpkin patch. A haunted campout. A family that looked a lot like their own.
Somewhere along the way, one of those children never stopped remembering it. Maggie's Stories is what happens when those bedtime stories finally get written down and illustrated, so they can be read aloud in other families' beds too.
These books come from a father who lived every one of these bedtimes himself, three times over. That is the standard each story has to meet before it goes in the book.
A story might have a scarecrow, a ghost, or a shadow on a tent wall. It never leaves a child there. Every worry in these books gets a warm hand to hold before the page turns.
Each book carries something worth remembering, the kind of quiet lesson a family talks about after the lights go out, never spelled out as a moral at the end.
Every story in this library was told at a real bedtime first, to real children, before it was ever written down. You are handing your child a memory, not a manuscript.
Illustrated read-aloud adventures to share at bedtime. Explore our available books and preview the newest adventures.
The Little Pumpkin Nobody Picked. A gentle pumpkin-patch story about belonging, perfect for autumn story time.
Buy on Amazon · $14.99
What's Outside Our Tent? A gently spooky family camping adventure for cozy Halloween-season reading.
Buy on Amazon · $15.99
Who Lives in the Castle in the Clouds? Follow Drew, Katie, and Vanessa into a magical mountain adventure about courage and curiosity.
Buy on Amazon · $15.99
A Ship Named Bones. A new adventure from Maggie's Stories.
A journey back in time to meet the star people. An illustrated adventure of curiosity, friendship, and wonder beneath a starry canyon sky.
A Mysterious Gold Mine. A new mountain adventure from Maggie's Stories.
“I read Just Right for Me to my two grandsons, and they keep asking to hear it again. On our first reading, one of the boys began to cry. ‘Why doesn’t anybody pick that cute little pumpkin?’ he asked. When the little girl finally chose him, those tears turned to laughter. Then my grandson said, ‘He’s just right for me too. I would pick him first.’ A sweet, heartfelt story about being different and finding where you belong. It certainly found a place in my grandsons’ hearts.”
Sue S., grandmother of two · on Just Right for Me
“A wonderful book for your children & grandchildren. Such a delightful read for your little one. Story is such a positive and good thing to read or to teach your children to read. This author sends the right message for maturing little minds. Cant wait for more of the authors books to appear.”
Nancy D. · on Just Right for Me
“I have finished reading, Just Right for Me by Maggie Della Nash.
As an early educator for 40+ years I totally enjoyed the themes presented in this tender story of a tiny pumpkin looking for inclusion and acceptance. Molly, the main character, is a relatable child who chooses a tiny, bumpy pumpkin that turns out to be just perfect for her. The children I read this story to totally related to the characters, plot line and beautiful illustrations. I would recommend every school purchase this book for their libraries. It is a wonderful story for every Fall collection.
I am interested in purchasing the other books in this series too from Amazon.
Thank you for allowing me to be an early review of your book.”
Anne N., early educator for 40+ years · on Just Right for Me
“JUST RIGHT FOR ME is a sweet story with beautiful illustrations that children will love hearing and eventually reading over and over. It is reminiscent of the stories my grandmother would tell me when I visited her for the summer. I highly recommend this book because the story is not only sweet with a wonderful ending; but it also speaks to the uniqueness of everyone and everything. Although we may be different, there is something special about us all.”
Barbara F. · on Just Right for Me
Tell us what your family thought, share a photo of your own "just right" pumpkin, or just say hello.
