Nemo and the Surprise Party by Disney Book Group Page A

birthday?”
    â€œYou told me,” said Nemo.
    â€œReally, Pluto?” asked Dory, “I don’t remember that.”

    â€œNow the surprise is ruined,” said Nemo, sadly.
    â€œWhat?” said Dory. “Someone ruined your surprise? Just tell me who did it. I’ll fix things.”
    â€œYou mean you’ve forgotten already?” asked Nemo.
    â€œForgotten what?” Dory replied.
    â€œNothing,” said Nemo, cracking a smile. It sure was helpful that Dory’s memory wasn’t very good.
    â€œSee you later,” said Dory, swimming away. “Who was that birthday fish anyway?” she muttered to herself. “I think it was someone really nice, someone I really liked. . . .”
    â€œAnother close call,” said Nemo to his friends. “But I think we’re all set. Why don’t we go home and get ready? I’ll meet you guys back here with Dory.”
    â€œNemo, I don’t know if I can come to the party,” said Sheldon. “My dad wants me to watch the babies.”
    â€œBring them along,” said Nemo. “The more, the merrier.”
    A few hours later, the guests arrived. They all hid and waited to surprise Dory. When Dory and Nemo swam in, everyone popped out of their hiding places and shouted, “Surprise!”
    â€œLook, Pluto, it’s a party for you!” Dory cried.
    â€œNo, Dory, it’s for you,” Nemo said. “It’s your birthday.”
    â€œIt is?” asked Dory. “Oh, yeah. Cool, a party for me!”
    The guests cheered. Dory smiled and blushed.
    Nemo led everyone in singing “Happy Birthday.” Dory joined in and sang the loudest.
    â€œYou’re the best friends a fish could have,” said Dory. Later, she swam over to Marlin and Nemo. “I sure am glad your dad and I found you, Nemo. This is the best birthday I’ve ever had.”
    â€œHey, Dory,” said Nemo. “You remembered my name.”
    â€œWhat’s that, Flipper?” asked Dory.
    â€œOh, nothing,” Nemo said with a sigh. “Let’s get some food.”

    â€œSalty seawater punch!” exclaimed Dory. “My favorite.”
    â€œAllow me to pour you some,” said Bruce, the great white shark, as he flashed Dory a giant toothy grin.
    â€œWhy, thank you, sir,” replied Dory.
    â€œHappy birthday, Dory,” said Chum. “You sure have a lot of food—I mean friends—here today.”
    â€œFish are friends, not food,” Anchor reminded the other two sharks.
    â€œThat’s right, guys,” said Dory. “Don’t forget it. Hey, how about we all get some birthday cake?” They swam away.

    The minute the sharks left, the other sea creatures swam over to get some punch.
    Right about then, Nemo and his friends played their first song, which got everyone dancing. Even Marlin swayed a little to the melody. Later, Crush and his son Squirt whirled around to the music until they were so dizzy they had to take a break.

    Crush saw Marlin and swam over to say hello. “Hey, good to see you. That son of yours is awesome, dude. This is a super party—and I’ve been to quite a few.”

    Dory couldn’t remember any dance moves, so she just made them up as she went along. The sharks even shook a fin or two. Then Mr. Ray led everyone in a line dance. Nemo and the band took a break to join in.
    Everyone had a lot of fun, but after a few hours it was time to go home. Nemo thanked Pearl, Tad, and Sheldon as they were leaving. “I couldn’t have done it without you guys,” he said.
    â€œBoy,” said Dory, “that birthday fish is lucky to have so many good friends.”
    â€œThat lucky fish is you, Dory,” Nemo reminded her.
    â€œOh, right, Mimo,” Dory replied. “My memory just isn’t very good. I think it’s getting worse as I get older—or is it getting better? I can’t remember. Anyway, let me