The cover painting of the original book, which was also featured in the film version, is based on Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat.

It does not work to plan, and that same evening, May's parents discuss the trials and tribulations of raising dogs as pets.

Another day, May arrives at the neighbourhood luncheonette to check out the newest comic books, leaving her skate outside.

The biggest surprise of all, at the end of the story, is when she finally receives a real dog from her parents as a reward for her hard work.

"[1] while Publishers Weekly found "Bright, busy paintings and a sympathetic narrative depict canine-coveting May's solution to her parents' ban on pets.