A review by katymul
Can I Give You a Squish? by Emily Neilson

emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

The illustrations are beautiful, and they capture so much complex emotion for each underwater animal. It is truly remarkable. The sea and area are also beautiful, but the characterizations get me every time. The story manages to make an often fraught topic not just kid-appropriate but feel lighthearted. So much of the discussion of consent is necessarily intense, but by tying it to friendship and comfort, this book manages to make the first discussions feel warm and safe to have. I also appreciate the perspective of the person carelessly violating consent as a key focus of the story. As the merperson runs around hugging joyfully, he stumbles upon a pufferfish who is triggered into fight (puff) or flight response -- and is gently corrected by all of his friends as they find ways of expressing affection that make each other feel loved. It makes it safe to ask for personal space, different forms of affection, and to have been wrong but grow and change.