Sisters Ava and Arlie pool their writing talents to create an entry for the “Write a Poem, Win a Pet” contest at the local pet store. Ava is confident the prize will be the dog she’s longed for, which she’ll name Lucille. Realist Arlie suggests that they’re equally likely to win “a monkey or a llama or a teen-weeny ant.” Their entry is the winner, and first prize turns out to be … a bird. Arlie and Mama welcome the new pet, but Ava is disappointed and irritated. Despite herself, she eventually warms to Lucille’s winning ways, and is the first to become concerned when Lucille falls ill. A visit to the vet is not within the family’s budget, but a call to the pet shop owner yields a treatment tip. To Ava’s relief, Lucille makes a full recovery. Small details within the text and illustrations help establish the distinct personalities of the characters in this fresh and unpredictable story. (Ages 4–8)

When Ava and her sister Arlie see the "Write a Poem / Win a Pet" sign in Mr. Noah's pet shop window, Ava is sure the prize is going to be a dog and convinces Arlie to enter the contest with her. The girls write the best poem they can, and while waiting and hoping to win, they decide that "Lucille" would be the perfect name for a dog. But when Mr. Noah finally announces that they have won, Ava is so disappointed when she sees the prize, a parakeet, that she says, "You're not the real Lucille!" Ava must discover for herself that with a little patience, a little imagination, and a lot of love, her new pet will be every bit as much fun as a dog—and a fine friend besides.