You asked for ideas on your story and I've read the first chapter so here's something you could add...
-Well you could add that your main character is still very young here, then skip to the future and show that the ostrich is pretty old and a lot bigger.
-There should be something special about this ostrich though...
-It could talk, but only the main character and its say a little sibling or a passing stranger can hear them, so people think she's a little bit crazy.
-The ostrich could be half person half ostrich and goes to school with the main character. When nervous or scared maybe they accidentally turn back into an ostrich.
-Based on the idea above there can other people who are half animal half human. Like they meet a cat or a lion or better yet a wolf.
If you have a certain plot in mind, I would like to know so that I can help more. Sorry if these ideas aren't so good.
