Can I Give You a Squish?
By Emily Neilson
The Story
A hug-loving mer-boy named Kai learns to ask before squishing his underwater friends, after his enthusiastic embrace startles a puffer fish into puffing up with fright.
Why It's Special
For the kid who greets everyone with a full-body hug whether they asked for one or not, this is the gentle nudge toward asking first.
- Big idea: Affection means more when it fits the other person — love asks before it squishes.
- Vibes: Warm, sunny, and reassuring, with an undersea coziness.
Perfect For Kids Who
- are working on asking before they hug or touch someone
- enjoy underwater and mermaid stories
- are learning about consent and respecting other people's space
- respond well to stories that show a mistake being gently fixed
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: What happened when Kai squished the puffer fish without asking first?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Kai felt after he saw the puffer fish puff up in fright?
- Real-life connection: What's your favorite way to say hello — a hug, a wave, or something else?
- Imagination: If you were a fish in the sea, what kind of squish would you like best?
- Big idea: What did Kai mean when he said every fish likes their own kind of squish?
