Common Sense Media Review
By Mandie Caroll
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sweet undersea tale gently models consent for young kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Little merboy Kai loves squishes! He squishes his mom, the seaweed fluttering in the water, the rocks, a bunch of treasure, and even a big group of his friends. When Kai sees a little puffer fish he wants to give a squish to, he swims up and either doesn't see or ignores the puffer's uncertain, scared expression and forgets to ask CAN I GIVE YOU A SQUISH? And POOF! It all goes terribly wrong. Kai didn't mean to upset the puffer fish ... what can he do now? His friends gently suggest that there might be something other than squishing that Kai could do to show he wants to be friends, which helps Kai try again, this time with curiosity and empathy.
Is It Any Good?
This sweet, gentle introduction to consent and bodily autonomy is appropriate for the youngest readers. Kids will love the soothing undersea setting of Can I Give You a Squish?, excitable, adorable little merboy Kai, and his supportive sea creature friends. Adults will love the simple and uncomplicated way the story shows little ones what consent is, how to ask for it, and a bunch of different ways to say hello and share affection. There's also the reassuring message that it's OK to make mistakes -- you just need to learn from them and do better next time. This is a great read for little kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about a time, like in Can I Give You a Squish?, that you were hugged or touched in a way that scared or bothered you. What happened? How did you respond? Would you do anything differently now?
Kai's friends help him respond to the puffer fish with curiosity. When Kai asks the puffer questions, what does he learn? What does Kai learn about his other friends? Why is curiosity an important character strength?
What is consent? Why is it important to ask someone whether it's OK to give them a hug or a "squish" before doing it?
Book Details
- Author: Emily Neilson
- Illustrator: Emily Neilson
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Princesses, Fairies, Mermaids, and More , Friendship , Great Boy Role Models
- Character Strengths: Communication , Curiosity , Empathy
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Dial Books
- Publication date: June 9, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 3 - 7
- Number of pages: 32
- Available on: Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: November 1, 2023
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