We loved Brian Lies's hilarious and wonderfully detailed picture books Bats at the Ballgame, Bats at the Beach, and of course, Bats in the Library. Here he chooses another unlikely protagonist and zooms in a bit closer to see the inventive and sometimes unorthodox ways that dads do things with their young ones. Fathers show love in many ways—sometimes with words, sometimes with actions—and readers up to 7 see how Gator Dad (a full-sized alligator with sport shirt, wristwatch, and backpack) takes on his three kids for a day of errands and fun, starting with wake-ups and an energetic invocation, "Let's squeeze the day!"

"Lies's acrylic illustrations are filled with small details to notice, especially the labels on cans and boxes, but what is most evident are the feelings these four have for one another. Dads, squeeze the day with your own children just as this one does."—Kirkus Reviews

"A fun-loving and vivacious alligator dad embraces the tasks of the day with his three little gators in tow. He knows how to make errands exciting and the little things in life robust. Gator Dad sets off on a day of imaginative adventure through the grocery store, the park, and the neighborhood and even back at home. Gator Dad's energy knows no limits, and kids will love seeing how he tackles the everyday occurrences in life. The illustrations are colorful and fun, adding a great deal of humor to the story. The hues are rich and vibrant, and the characters' expressions are full of joy. The concise prose is lyrical but not rhyming. 'I'll be your raft on a sea of grass, / a tree for you to climb. / I might even agree to do something / that maybe we shouldn't have done.' The content of the story will pull listeners in and keep them engaged. This is great fun as a read-aloud, and early readers will enjoy the challenge of independent reading as well."—School Library Journal