Grandin, who grew up with autism and hypersensitivity to touch, saw a calf become calm after entering a squeeze chute and made a comparable human "hug machine." The authors take readers from Grandin's early childhood through young adulthood, lightly sketching in biographical information to focus on her antipathy to being hugged and her invention. Illustrations capture Grandin's likeness well and reinforce the text's emphasis on her interests.

A picture book explores Temple Grandin's first innovation, a personalized hug machine.When she was a child, Temple Grandin couldn't stand hugs. To her, they "felt like being stuffed inside the scratchiest sock in the world." While she craved the comfort she saw others receiving from hugs, she found physical contact with others to be overstimulating and actively unpleasant. During one summer at her aunt's ranch, she observed the squeeze chutes that ranchers used to calm cows during examinations and realized she could give it a try herself. She fashioned her own device out of wood and cushions, using a pulley to make it adjustable from within—all the comfort of a hug without the overstimulation! Guglielmo and Tourville present Grandin's story with respect and enthusiasm. The narrative concludes when her machine breaks. "And she knew that only one thing could cheer her up: // A HUG." A quote from Grandin concludes the text: "I'm into hugging people now." While Grandin has become comfortable with hugs, it's not totally clear how this has come to pass, and for some readers, this ending's emphasis on neurotypical behavior may feel out of place. Potter's watercolor illustrations are typical of her style, with flat faces (almost all of them white), realistic colors, and full-bleed spreads. An authors' note provides more detailed background on Grandin's life and work, and only here is it mentioned that Grandin is on the autism spectrum.Imperfect but still lovely. (Picture book/biography. 5-9)

Guglielmo and Tourville gently present the story behind Grandin-s -squeeze machine,- describing Grandin-s childhood love of building and design, as well as her sensitivities: -Temple did not like scratchy socks, whistling teakettles, bright lights, or smelly perfumes.- Hugs, in particular, she found unbearable. But, the authors explain, Grandin discovered that external pressure placed on her body made her feel secure. As an adult, Grandin observed how cows are placed in squeeze chutes to calm them during veterinary exams; this led Grandin to design her own -hug machine.- Potter-s warm illustrations feature human and animal figures that are reminiscent of folk art dolls while showing Grandin-s discomfort with outside stimulation. The authors avoid overt mention of autism in the story, but back matter elaborates on Grandin-s life, career, and contributions to autism awareness. Ages 4-8. (Aug.)