Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

Buddy is a rescue dog, left at a shelter for days. No one seemed to want to adopt him until Luke came along. Now the two are inseparable. In Alison Bellringer’s Surprise at the Beach, Luke and Buddy spend a lot of time roaming the beach near Luke’s home. One day, Buddy finds an abandoned kitten. The two bond instantly, but Luke is determined to do the right thing and contact the owners who are identified on the kitten’s tag. But is it the right thing to do? Some homes were never meant for pets and the kitten is not happy in his home. In fact, he’s rather terrified. Will he have to stay there? Or will Buddy come to the rescue again?

Alison Bellringer’s early chapter book, Surprise at the Beach, is an endearing story about two rescued pets, a dog and a kitten. The plot begins with some backstory on how Buddy came to be Luke’s best friend. Then it moves along at a good pace as Buddy discovers the kitten and the forever home escapade is explored. The language is simple for young readers to easily follow along. There is a lot of descriptive narrative and dialogue is used effectively. Young readers will instantly feel compassion for both pets and will be cheering on Buddy as he makes his rescue more than once. Owning a pet is a big responsibility and this will help teach young readers the importance of good care, loving attention, and being respectful of the furry addition to the family. A great read.