Mika's father works from home and he's very busy! He can never find time for the promised swimming trip. So Dad allows Mika to choose a pet from the store while he finishes the project-something quiet like a mouse. And so begins a wonderfully turbulent story in which Mika brings home one animal after another... How many animals can come to stay before a harassed father notices?

Rick is a rock. For as long as he can remember, he's lived on the Nature Finds shelf in Room 214 alongside an acorn, some moss, and a piece of bark. One day, the teacher shows the class what rocks do outdoors, and Rick is captivated. Now Rick's determined to get outside. But when Rick does make his way into the great outdoors, he finds it's not quite what he imagined--and that sometimes the greatest adventure of all is being a friend.