Nemo and the Surprise Party by Disney Book Group

O ne day, Nemo, a little clown fish, was telling his dad, Marlin, about something their good friend Dory had done.
    â€œYou know,” said Marlin, “Dory’s birthday is coming up. She mentioned it a while ago. But you know her—she’s probably forgotten all about it.”
    Nemo decided he wanted to do something special for Dory. After all, she was like family. I know, he thought, I’ll throw her a surprise birthday party!
    At recess the next day, Nemo asked his friends, Pearl the octopus, Tad the butterfly fish, and Sheldon the sea horse to help plan Dory’s party.
    â€œCount me in,” said Pearl.
    â€œMe, too,” Sheldon agreed.
    â€œI love parties!” Tad exclaimed.
    â€œThen let’s meet right after school and start planning,” Nemo suggested.

    That afternoon, the friends met near the sponge beds. Soon they were having a contest to see who could bounce the highest. After they declared Pearl the winner, they got down to work.
    â€œWhat kind of food should we have at Dory’s party?” asked Nemo.
    â€œKelp cake and algae ice cream,” Sheldon replied.
    â€œWhat about sea-plant pizza?” asked Tad. “And salty seawater punch?”
    â€œI’m getting hungry already,” said Nemo. “Now what should we do about music? I wish we knew a band.”
    â€œ W e could be the band,” said Pearl. “I’m great on the sand-dollar tambourines.”
    â€œYeah, and I play the clamshell drums,” said Sheldon.
    â€œGreat!” cried Nemo. “And Tad could strum some kelp while I play the conch shell. Let’s meet here tomorrow after school to practice.”

    Back at their anemone home that evening, Nemo told Marlin about the party.
    Marlin looked a little worried for a moment. Then he reminded himself how resourceful Nemo was. He smiled at his son. “That’s a big project,” he said. “But if you put your mind to it, I’m sure you can do it.”
    â€œI can, Dad!” Nemo said confidently. “Dory’s surprise party is going to be the best ever. Just wait and see.”
    The next day, Nemo and his friends were swimming toward the sponge beds with their musical instruments when they bumped into Dory.

    â€œHi Mimo! Hi kids!” Dory exclaimed. She had trouble remembering anything, especially Nemo’s name. “What are you up to?”
    â€œEr . . . umm,” Nemo stammered.
    â€œMusic-class homework,” Tad piped up.
    â€œWell, have fun,” said Dory, swimming off in the other direction.
    The friends smiled at each other and began to practice. At first, they didn’t sound very good. But after a while, they began to hit their groove.

    After school, the next afternoon, Nemo and his friends talked about who to invite to the party.
    â€œWhat about Crush and Squirt?” Sheldon suggested. “Sea turtles sure know how to have a good time.”
    â€œEveryone from school, including Mr. Ray,” said Tad.
    â€œAnd I’ll invite Bruce, Anchor, and Chum,” Nemo said.
    â€œThose sharks will make everyone nervous,” said Pearl. “But, if they’re friends of Dory’s, I suppose we should invite them.”
    â€œLet’s give them a job so they stay out of trouble,” said Nemo. “Like serving the punch. Okay, I think we’re all set.”
    Tad, Pearl, Sheldon, and Nemo swam off to invite the guests.
    Finally, it was the day of the party! Nemo and his friends woke up early and started decorating. Pearl talked some starfish into making a pretty pattern on a large piece of coral. Tad and Sheldon strung seaweed streamers everywhere. Then Nemo suggested they practice singing “Happy Birthday.”

    The four friends began to sing. Just as they finished the line “Happy Birthday, dear Dory,” they heard another voice join in. It was Dory!
    â€œI love singing!” she exclaimed. “How did you know it was my