Gerald is a guinea pig who likes his routine, his hobbies, and his isolated world. He meets two mice that love helping others who pull him out of his shell. Gerald learns how wonderful it can be to face his social anxiety and make friends. I like that this book encourages children to try new things and shows the benefits of stepping outside our comfort zone. The illustrations are gorgeous and whimsical and really add to the story.

Thank you Quarto Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing this ARC.

This really attractive picture book packs a lot in. In covering Gerald, the stickler for routine, who does his gardening then follows the exact same schedule by the clock each and every day, we see the pros and cons of such a risk-free life, we see social anxiety as he finds two ebullient mice with their stall on the market, and he sees the benefits of friendship and having fun when... well, that would be telling. It's noticeable that, despite the title, he does look to have the perfect garden and perfect life, before he learns to let his hair down a bit. And the perfect garden – and all the other details of the story, from creatures on unicycles up – are expertly conveyed too, with charmingly colourful spreads that don't go down the overly detailed route, but are just right. Four and a half stars.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for honest feedback. I think that the shining strength for this book is in its brilliant, colorful, and highly engaging illustrations. Some are nearly full-page, highly-detailed illustrations that are quite beautiful. I think that these illustrations drive home the storyline, which features Gerald and a few other animal critters. Gerald realizes that he would like some friends to spice up his routine. He connected with new friends and it made him feel better to share.

t can be very hard to make friends and being alone may seem easier. Gerald learns the value of true friendship in sharing. The characters are loveable and engaging for all ages. The illustrations are a window of conversations with your young reader as well.

A special thank you to Quarto Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

The story is about a guinea pig who lives alone in his very scheduled life and doesn't know that he is missing out by not having friends. One day he meets two enchanting mice who show him what he's missing out on and they all become fast friends.
The story and its message are important and well done, but it is all of the intricately detailed illustrations that are so splendid and enjoyable! Look out, grandkids, books incoming!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook from Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books/Frances Lincoln Children's Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Cute little book about gardener Gerald making new friends and realizing how to have fun with them. Easy read for small children with lots of adorable pictures.

Gerald lives a very happy, very structured life. Then one day a new exciting diversion appears and changes how he views fun and his routine. This book has the cutest illustrations and such a great message about fun and friends!

A nice and short story about the importance of friendship and having friends to share stories with. I loved how the story showed the moment of Gerald's realization and verbalizes it. The illustrations are cute and pleasing to look at with vibrant colors as well.

Sensational book to learn the value of true friendships. Gerald thought he had it all, living alone in his comfort zone, following his routine severely. Until one day he discovers his friends and the real fun and nothing he did before has the same satisfaction. Even though it is a book aimed at children, I believe it is important for all readers, especially to remember, to appreciate even the short moments with friends.
The illustrations are beautiful, well done and with vibrant colors that catch the reader's attention and make reading a lot more dynamic and fun.
I recommend the book and appreciate the opportunity to read it.

A tale of finding realizing life needs people in it. Friends don’t always seen important when you are going through life but Gerald realizes that he can do everything perfect and the same each day or he can spice up his life with friends.

I really enjoyed this. The pictures are great and the story has a great moral.

Thank you NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

GERALD NEEDS A FRIEND – ROBIN BOYDEN
PUBLISHED BY – QUARTO PUBLISHING GROUP – FRANCES LINCOLN CHILDRENS BOOK
PUB DATE 20TH APRIL
Gerald, a guinea pig lives alone. He is a stickler for routine and does everything on clockwork – getting up, gardening to dinner and reading before bedtime which is at 7pm. He is very contended with his life and follows it everyday. One day he goes to a new market in town where he meets 2 mice. With initial hesitancy and reluctance he finally enjoys himself like never before. He goes back home but he doesn’t seem to enjoy his routine anymore and feels something missing.
This book gives a very important message that sometimes one needs to step out of their comfort zone to try new things, make new friends in this case. Because unless you try you won’t come to know what you will miss out on!
The best part about this book are it’s beautiful illustrations!! It’s said that a picture can say 1000 words and this case it’s absolutely true. Both my daughter and me enjoyed this book thoroughly.
Thank you Netgalley and Quatro publishing group for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Gerald has everything he needs. He has a beautiful home and garden and enjoys spending time there alone. He is such a creature of habit doing the same things every day. And is in bed by 7 every night. Gerald thought he was happy and had the perfect life, until. One day he goes into town and there is a new market in town run by Marcy and Marcel. They help Gerald have some fun trying new things. That night when he got home he realized there is something missing from his life, a friend. The next day he goes back to share some of his jams and pickles with the two mice and invites them to his home. Now Gerald has two new friends to spend time with.

The illustrations are beautiful in this store. They really add to the telling of the story. Great book to share with small children learning how to make friends.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Gerald needs a friend, is an adorable picture book about Gerald who likes his life just as it is. He does the same things every day - eats at the same time, drinks tea at the same time, reads at the same time etc until he goes into town one day and meets two excitable mice.
After spending the day with them, Gerald goes home and realises something is missing in his life and recognises that although he has everything he needs, he doesn't have anyone to share it with.

This book is a brilliant book for children, especially today with covid and restrictions as some children are becoming set in solitary routines and missing out on the connection and play aspects with others.

Gerald is kind of a loner. He’s perfectly happy tending to his garden and following his daily schedule. It isn’t until he plays with two mice that he realizes what he’s been missing out on. With friends to play with, he has more fun than he’s had in a long time. I love Gerald’s garden world filled with friends (and it's obvious he does too)! This book really appeals to the introvert in me. It's wonderful to have a fulfilling inner life, but it's also wonderful to share your time with friends and make connections that will bring happiness.

This was such a cute book with great illustrations! It shows the importance of friendship. It also shows that you don’t need everything to be happy. You need friends!

Gerald lives alone and he meticulously sees that everything around his home is just so. His regimented schedule keeps him busy from morning until his bedtime and his garden is his best friend. It is what he lives for. He waters, harvests his luscious bounty and makes them into jam and pickles. Life is good.

One morning Gerald heads off to town. Once there he encounters two lively mice who totally change his world. The mice have a new stall at the market and a crowd surrounds them. Harold watches in amazement as the two find a button for hedgehog's coat, find a way for a duckling to fly, and introduce a scooter to a little turtle who wants to go faster.

Harold is mesmerized and taken in by the magic they are weaving for everyone...magic that makes everyone happy. Finally the two mice focus on Harold. When Marcel the mouse asks Harold, "What do you want more than anything?" Harold answers, "Nothing! I have everything I need." The wise little mouse answers, "Well there's always room for more fun!" Do you think Harold will agree and let loose? Is he capable of even having fun and is he up for a new adventure?

The illustrations are truly amazing, full of wonderful detail and expression. I love them. I especially love Gerald. He is such an adorable and loveable little character. The story presents an important life lesson to the reader. You may think that you have everything you need in your world but it is not as much fun unless you share with someone else. Vive l'amitié! I highly recommend the book.

I received an electronic ARC from Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books through NetGalley.
Charming story about Gerald. He is perfectly content living alone and following his routine until he meets two fascinating mice on a trip to town. They show him what he was missing - friends. Gerald realizes his solitary life can be improved on by letting others in.
Terrific message about being content with your own routine and still having time to be with others.
Detailed illustrations are fascinating for young readers to study.

The illustrations in this book are amazing! The story is also super fun and educational: sometimes it’s hard to step out of your comfort zone, but when you do, you have the most fun in your life and make new friends!

As an adult, I could totally relate to this book. The message is great but I think it would depend on the child if they’d get it or not. Cute story

Gerald Needs a Friend teaches the value of friendship and reminds us all of the importance of finding balance in our lives.

The value of friendship

Guineapig Gerald lives alone in his house with the big garden. His days are very structured. Every day he gets up, eats some fruit, tends to the garden. At five he has his tea. At seven sharp, he is in bed. One day he realizes, that life is more fun with friends...

I truly enjoyed this book. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and very detailled. They add some information to the story and make it fun to read. The story sends a lovely message. A beautiful book.

Loved! Inclusion and big feelings and so important right now!
And the illustrations were so very adorable!

This is a sweet little picture book about Gerald who lives a quite rigid and scheduled life. One day his routine is interrupted and he ends up realizing the importance of friendship and flexibility. This is a wonderful story for children and might also be a helpful lesson in any classroom!

The publisher made a copy of this book available via Netgalley, this is my honest review.

This is a book for the introverts.

Gerald used to be all alone and he enjoyed it. Until the fun came into his life and made him realize that he needed friends to share his life with.

A prettily illustrated book, with a deep meaning that even though we enjoy being all alone, having friends are something else. We are social creature who need each others. You may have less frequency than the extroverts, but having friends is necessary.

I was provided with an eARC of this book in exchange for a fair review,

A delightful book to read with my little one! The story is fun and the illustrations lovely! I will definitely be picking up a hard copy of this for my son's collection.