Nervous and shy about being the new kid on the first day of school, Julie has a rough start trying to make friends, but things get better as the day goes on.
Two young girls enjoy playing and exploring in the nearby pond where they discover tadpoles, insects, wildflowers in the summer, and a place to ice skate in the winter.
After her best friend Mary Ann moves away, Amy finds a praying mantis and names her Mary Ann. She keeps her new found pet through the winter in a comfortable terrarium home.
Although Harvey starts out on a sunny morning, by the time he has finished helping his neighbors, it does not look as though he will be able to enjoy a day at the beach.