Gerald Needs a Friend

by Robin Boyden

A fun, heartfelt new picture book about the power of making friends . 

Gerald lives alone. He has everything he needs. He spends most of his days in his yard, watering the plants, picking the fruits and vegetables, and making preserves for the winter. In the evenings he has dinner at 5, reads 20 pages of his book, has a chamomile tea, and goes to bed at 7. Every day is the same, and that suits Gerald just fine. Until one day, when an amazing travelling market comes to town! Gerald has so much fun playing with the two mice that run it that he forgets all about his routine. Can Gerald learn that having everything you need is no fun unless you have someone to share it with ?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 20, 2021

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small]

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.

[Melissa]

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.

[Jan]

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!

[Jeanie]

It 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.

[Our_readingjourney]

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.

[Theediscerning]

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.

[Carla]

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. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.

[Barbara Band]

Gerald is an adorable guinea pig who has everything he needs in his garden and likes his routine; tea at 5pm and reading 20 pages of his book before he goes to bed at 7pm. One day, he notices a new market stall in town run by two friendly and excitable mice. They introduce Gerald to the pleasures of playing with friends and he is thoroughly enjoying himself, becoming less shy and more confident, when he suddenly realises it's 5-o-clock and he's late for his tea. He rushes off home and the next day does all his usual routine things but, for some reason, it's just not the same anymore.

A lovely book about the importance of friendship and sharing experiences. Perfect for the child who is slightly shy and lacking in self-confidence, who stands on the outside worried about joining in. Delightfully detailed illustrations too!

[Shawn L’s Book Notes & Quotes]

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.

[Pam]

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 Silvan Reverie | Sarah Street]

Gerald Needs a Friend is an adorable and heartwarming story of a guinea pig named Gerald who learns to live a little outside his comfort zone. The story strikes all the right chords, celebrating friendship and taking chances and the power of change. Beyond the lovely narrative, the illustrations are wonderfully rich and detailed--there are lots of fun scenes to dive in to. This is a great book that children will love to revisit.

***Note: I was given a review copy of this book by Quarto Kids. Opinions are my own.

[sinag]

4/5 stars!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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.

[Sue]

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.

[Jo]

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.

[Emilee (emileereadsbooks)]

Thanks to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books for a free digital copy for my review.

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!

[Andreea]

Disclaimer: I received this book for free in exchange of my honest opinion.

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.

[Abigail Harris]

A cute story, however there were spelling issues and the text was hard to read at points.

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Bex mummyisreading]

We absolutely loved this!! It was sweet, fun and beautifully illustrated. 6yo Jake enjoyed Gerald’s story and he related to this a lot more as an only child and he talked about how he has nobody to share toys with sometimes. Great book. We’ll be reading again 🤣

[A.]

A sweet friendship story that will help young readers see that, no matter your schedule or routine, there's always times for friendship. Good for SEL conversations, especially for neurodiverse kids whose preference for predictability may lead them to miss out on spontaneous fun.

[JoAnne Boulware]

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

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[David]

Lovely art, but the story itself needs more attention to the centra arc. It’s pleasant, but a little too easy and boring as it is.

[Kate]

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.

[Lucas]

“I like that he was nice and I took them jam. Having friends is important!” - Lucas

[Jimmy Larkin]

I’m jealous of Gerald’s property first of all. The art is adorable, it has a great message and is just a sweet positive book.