This is a sweet, beautifully illustrated story for all ages. It offers a gentle reminder to find the joy and color in life. Mr. Gray, who is appropriately named, unavoidably gets to know Frieda Frolic. This changes his life in the best of all possible ways.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

This book will be published on 29 Mar 2022.

Simple and warming, this has a stuffy professor bloke in his world of grey, and the wacky, colourful, noisy chaos of his next door neighbour, come together. It's obvious, it's cheesy, it's a little childish perhaps in how blatant it all is, but it's a fun little read, for one read at least. The visual style is wonderful, the tiny font size (as I saw it at least) an unfortunate choice.

While I found the story a little too on the nose (liking grey isn't bad! Numbers aren't bad! They don't necessarily mean someone is unhappy!) the art in this book is beautiful.

I LOVE the illustrations in Mr. Gray and Freida Frolic. The overall storyline, images and color differences, and the well-crafted characters make this a must-read!!

Just the cover itself is attractive. I would definitely display it on my coffee table.

In this story, Mr. Gray thinks his neighbor is unbearable. In his mind, he cannot fathom why she whistles while gardening and happily frolics around with her pig. Then one day her yellow canary flies into his home. He is beyond mad but that does not last long as he falls under her spell as opposites do attract.

Looking forward to reading more by this author in the future!!

Thank you, North South Books Inc., for the advance reading copy.

A story about two opposite personalities meeting and accepting each other.

I find this concept quite endearing. The illustrations are grey (yes!) and colourful (also yes!). You will know what I mean. The book sings autumn and spring. What's not there to not love about it?

You will be surprised.