Ellen Campbell receives a green playhouse for a birthday present big enough to do a cartwheel in with paintings of the zodiac signs on the walls and roof.

When Ellen opens the door from inside the playhouse, she finds herself in a strange place with scenes that look like winter and autumn, and another land with palm trees and a beach. She meets a red lion that begins to talk! He tells her his name is Olly, and he’s lost his roar.

Ellen decides to follow Olly and help him regain his roar. Along the way they meet other eccentric members of the zodiac—some kind, some selfish—as they journey through the land of the Zodies.