Sweet little story with a great message and adorable illustrations. I prefer children’s books that aren’t just fluff- this book has a lesson about kindness and friendship.

This book had very detailed, cute illustrations. Some words do blend in with the background a little bit, Gerald thought he had everything he could possibly want until he met Mary and Marcel. After a great time with them, his finishes his daily routine but doesn't feel like it fulfills him as much as it used to. He realizes that he might have everything he needs, but that doesn't mean much if he can't share it with friends. Wonderful story.

A cute children’s book teaching that while routines and schedules are needed in life, so is time for fun with friends. All Primary teachers need this.

Gerald has his home and his garden and everything he needs. He makes jams and other things from his produce so he will good things to eat in the winter. One day he decides to go to town...

Frances Lincoln Children's Books and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). It has been published and you can get a copy now.
Gerald has a routine at home that works well for him. He goes to bed at seven. But when he gets to town there are two mice there selling whatever you might need. He doesn't like the crowd but when it thins out, one of the mice comes over and invites him to try on costumes. He does and he has fun.
Soon it is later than he thought and he has to run home. That night he can't sleep. He thinks about the fun he had and comes up with an idea.
Can you guess what his idea is?

This was such a wonderful book. First, I have to say that the illustrations were amazing. We could have looked at them and talked about them all day. They are detailed, colourful and so much fun. The story is about Gerald a guinea pig. Gerald is quite happy living alone, taking care of his garden and following his routine. When he spends a day at the traveling market with a couple of mice, he realizes what he is missing by not having friends. This is a cute book about the importance of spending time with friends and sharing the things that you have. My grandchildren enjoyed this story and we talked about how they are missing their friends right now. A wonderful story for families, schools and classrooms.

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.

The illustrations were gorgeous, with amazing details and a great atmosphere. The story was lovely too - a great story for introverts, who like their time alone, but friends are important too.

Sometimes the text was positioned in a way that made it hard to read.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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 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.