Violet Mackerel hopes and hopes that her new next door neighbor, Rose, might turn out to be a very good friend.

But even after a nice morning at Rose's house, Violet still has quite a few worrying thoughts. Is she too messy for Rose's tidy family? Will Rose be disappointed that the ice in Violet's house comes from a plastic tray instead of a special box with fancy tongs? Will Violet wear the wrong sort of costume to Rose's flower-themed birthday party? And what if the present Violet brings is a good bit smaller than the other presents?

Luckily a helpful older sister, a big imagination, and a particularly brilliant idea just might turn Violet's possible very good friend into a definite one.