Three Squeezes

March 30, 2020
“When you could neither talk nor stand,/ life’s hourglass still filled with sand” begins this lyrical picture book. The titular “three squeezes” refers to the many different kinds of embraces between a loving father and his son throughout their lives together, starting with “three soft squeezes” when the boy is an infant and ending with those that the now-adult child gives his parent “when I can neither talk nor stand.” Each textual set of squeezes is rendered in calligraphic typography with a slightly different modifier: after a nightmare, the father gives the son “three long squeezes”; the two make up after an argument with “three strong squeezes.” Love You Forever fans will appreciate debut author Pratt’s literary versifying. Illustrations by Sheban (What a Cold Needs), which combine bighearted cartooned renderings with warm washes of color and luminosity, strike just the right notes of comedy (when the boy screams at night, the family cat arches its back) and poignancy (the family dog, initially a puppy, ages along with its young owner). Thanks to his artistry, time flies sweetly. Ages 3–6. Author’s agent: Erica Rand Silverman, Stimola Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary.

Starred review from April 1, 2020
A father's love, epitomized by the titular gesture, lasts a lifetime. The first two spreads set up a family tradition shared between father and son, both depicted with pale skin and straight, brown hair: "When you could neither talk nor stand, / life's hourglass still filled with sand, // I gently held your tiny hand /and gave it three soft squeezes." Subsequent spreads gradually age the child as he faces common life experiences, three squeezes always communicating his father's comforting presence: a nightmare, a broken leg, a missed catch, a quarrel between the pair, the death of a pet, graduation. The boy becomes a father himself. On a sunset-lit forest path, he pushes his father in a wheelchair. "The day may come, you understand, / when I can neither talk nor stand, / and if it does, please take my hand / and give it three soft squeezes." The final page shows the three generations together, the son squeezing the old man's hand while the text spells out that three squeezes mean "I love you." Sheban's illustrations are the perfect complement, playing up the relationship and using color to enhance emotions. While inevitably begging comparison with Love You Forever, this comes out much the better with its portrayal of the normal progression of aging, though it requires just as many tissues. Belongs among the gifts given at every baby shower; three squeezes should be part of every caregiver's toolkit. (Picture book. 3-8, adult)

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July 1, 2020

PreS-Gr 2-In this poetic journey throughout a boy's life, from infancy to adulthood, a father uses three squeezes to demonstrate his love and affection. When the boy is an infant, unable to walk or stand, the father gently squeezes his tiny hand, creating a signal and symbol of his love and support. As readers turn the pages, the boy ages, skinning his knees, dropping his ice cream, and even arguing with his father in adolescence. Despite the passage of time, the three squeezes remain a constant. As the boy reaches adulthood, the father asks for three squeezes in return when the time comes that he is too old to walk or stand himself. While this message might be a little heavy for some young readers, it is also an important and powerful one about the cycle of life and the power of a familial bond. Sheban's soft and delicate images feature golden tones, evoking memory and warmth. VERDICT A beautiful tale with some deep messages and potentially tear-inducing themes, this is a great additional selection to share among loved ones.-Kaitlin Malixi, Kensington Health Sciences Academy, Philadelphia

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