It's Saturday and time to clean house! But with his little sister, La Belle, making a mess of everything he's cleaned, will Boise ever make it to the park?

While his mother and father and sister, La Belle, share the duties, Boise feels the responsibility is his, along with the rewards that happen after the house is cleaned. As Boise moves from room to room, La Belle, age three, assists him. In each room Boise demonstrates to the reader how he cleans. La Belle tries to help but often fails. As she and Boise travel through the rooms she becomes increasingly frustrated. Finally in the last room that needs to be cleaned, she is obstructive. She is not interested in helping. Boise becomes angry but decides that arguing with La Belle will not help the situation. Resolutely and with fear that La Belle may not be able to cooperate, he cleans the last room. La Belle finds a way to contribute and the final room is done. The reward is time at the park followed by a picnic with family. But the greatest reward for Boise is being able to play with his own friends at the park as La Belle plays with hers.