There's nothing like a pair of sparkly, shiny, and pretty la-di-da shoes to bring out the Big Cheese in a girl. But Louise's mother doesn't quite see it that way. Instead Louise has to wear the dull and drab brown tie shoes she has worn for years. They are practical, Louise's mother says. They are better in the rain, the shoe salesman says. It doesn't matter that Louise doesn't see it that way. Then Louise's best friend Fern comes to school with shiny new patent leather shoes from Paris with sparkles on the toes! Are the bonds of friendship greater than shoe envy? Only Louise can say...