[intro music]

(Describer) In the Reading Room, Dusty brushes Alphabott with a feather duster. Dott reads a book.

Okay, now hold still, A.B. You're just so Dusty! And that's my thing! I'm Dusty, and you're Alphabott. Okay, here we go.

[Alphabott laughing] Ah, no!

[Alphabott laughing] No laughing!

[Alphabott laughing]

Oh! That's it! I can't take it anymore! Dusty, what's going on? Every time I try to dust Alphabott, she laughs! What's so funny A.B.? Huh? What, am I a clown to you? What? Do I amuse you?

Huh! Whoa! [Alphabott laughing]

(Describer) Dusty falls.

Oh, Dusty! I think Alphabott is just ticklish. That's when something touches you and gives you a tingly feeling that makes you laugh. Well, of all the silly things, Dott! I mean, I love to laugh, but you won't see me tickled! No, sir-e-bob. Old stone face Dusty, that's what--oh!

[everyone laughing]

(Describer) Dott tickles him with the feather duster.

(Describer) Dott stops.

[Dusty laughs]

[laughing turns to sighs]

Good luck tickling this dog.

(Describer) Dusty scrunches his nose.

[intro music]

(Describer) A title appears: "The Reading League's READING BUDDIES".

♪

(Describer) with Dusty a brown dog wearing an orange bandana around his neck,"Dott", a woman with curly blond hair wearing a pink dress with black polka dots, "and Alphabott", a green robot with gold antennae. The three friends laugh and learn in the Reading Room, a cozy space with bookshelves, a desk, and a doghouse.

(Describer) An episode title featuring the letter A.

(Describer) The Big Apple.

You're here! You made it! My name is Dott, like the polka dot. And this is my dog, Dusty. Like the dust!

(both) We are Reading Buddies. Oh, sorry, Dust. You go. Oh, no! No no no, after you, after you. Thanks.

(both) We are Reading Buddies! I thought I was going to start! After you, I insist. Okay, I'll stop talking.

[coughs]

How about a little "I hear with my little ear" to warm up? I'll say a word, and you have to tell me how many parts you hear in the word! Do you want to be on my team? We always win.

[tinkling music]

"I hear with my little ear."

The word is "tickle." [chuckles]

How many word parts do you hear in "tickle"? Okay, tickle. Tick-le. Two! Two word parts there, Dott. Excellent! Okay, try "laugh." Haha ha ha ha! Dusty, we're doing-- Oh yeah, right right right, okay. "Laugh," how many word parts do you hear in "laugh"? Okay, laugh. Laugh. One, just one. Well done! Okay, try the word "afternoon." how many word parts do you hear in "afternoon"? Oh, that's tricky! Hey, can you help me clap that one out? Sure. Okay, afternoon. Af-ter-noon. Af-ter-noon! That's three! Three word parts, Dott! That's right! Hey, Dusty? Do you have a favorite time of day? Mm, I would have to say breakfast. Then second breakfast. Then lunch. Yeah, I see that for you. Mm-hmm. You wanna know mine? Oh, duh! I love the afternoon! When the sun is high in the sky! Hey, that reminds me of the drawing A.B. did earlier today! Can we show our new friends? We will have to make sure she wants to share, but we can ask! Yes!

(Dott) "Dot to Dot with Alphabott!"

[Alphabott squeals]

(Describer) An easel with a drawing.

Hey, A.B.! We wanted to show our friends the beautiful sun you drew earlier today. Do you mind if we share, or do you want to keep it to yourself?

[Alphabott squeals]

Oh! She said no problem! Look, everybody! Isn't it beautiful?

(Dott) Do you know what shape the sun is? A shape? Mm-hm. You mean like a square or a circle? That's right. It's a circle! A.B., would it be okay if I added to your drawing?

[Alphabott squeals]

Yes! Okay. See if you can guess what I'm drawing, and I'll only use circles. Okay. Um, it's me! Dusty! No, that can't be it. Oh, it looks like... Oh, that's like a lion! Oh no, that's-- no, a flower! It looks like a flower! Yes! That's right. See how I'm making my marker go right, down, and back up? We call that going clockwise. Clockwise? Why isn't it called flowerwise? Ha ha ha! I'm here all week! I'll show you, Dust! Here. See, when the hands of the clock are ticking,

(Describer) A clock.

they go this way.

(Describer) To the right.

We call that clockwise. Now, if we want our hands to go the other way, we start at the one and we go left, down, and back up. We call that counterclockwise. I'll show you on our flowers. Okay! Okay, I'm gonna take purple, and I'm going to start at the one, go left, down, and back up.

(Dusty) Counterclockwise. That's right, Dusty. I should get a job as a clockmaker. I always knew I'd make a good "watch dog"!

[laughing]

Speaking of clocks, Dusty, let's get ready for a Speedy Story! Let's do it! Put 30 seconds on that clock!

(Describer) A countdown appears.

[clock ticking]

Once... upon...

(both) a time! One day, Dusty and I were tip-toeing through the tulips. That's a flower! Wait, a flower? I'm allergic to flowers. Ah-choo! When all of a sudden... The flower spoke to us! It said... "I will grant you three wishes." Was that her voice? Yeah! Cool! Keep going! Keep going! And the three wishes were world peace... Oh! Um, lots of money... and also, oh, what's a third wish? The end! No! My wish! No!

(Describer) Dusty sinks out of sight.

[clock ticks]

(announcer) It's "Rhyme Time"! We are back with another edition of... "Rhyme Time"! Hey, do you want to be on my team? I'm going to say three words. Two of them rhyme, one of them doesn't. Are you ready? Oh, I'm ready. Random, fandom, bookmark. Hmm. Random, fandom, bookmark. Ha ha! I don't think "bookmark" rhymes. No, it doesn't rhyme. Nnn-nh. Try bed, pillow, willow. Hmm. Bed, pillow, willow. What do you think? Bed, pillow, willow. Which one doesn't rhyme? Yeah, I think it's bed too! Bed doesn't rhyme! Excellent work, Reading Buddies! Okay, try: sunny, runny, funny. Which word doesn't rhyme? Hm. Sunny, runny, funny. Sunny, runny, funny. Sunny, runny, funny. Sunny, runny, funny, sunny, runny... Hey, wait, you're trying to trick us! They all rhyme! I can't fool you! You're a super team! Awww, thanks, Dott. Did you hear that?

We are a super team. [laughing]

And now, a poem! What? Me? No, no, no, this is your bit, I don't-- Poetry, me? But I'm not off book! Ha ha! We got her!

[exhaling]

(Describer) In black and white, the three friends wear berets and mustaches.

[drumbeat]

Like the jumps and spins of acrobats, my cat's leaps are outstanding. She lacks style and grace, she knocks stuff out of place, but she always sticks the landing.

Groovy, groovy. [squealing]

(Describer) Four pictures in a row.

(Dott) What do you see?

(Dusty) I see an alligator, an ant, an apple, and an astronaut.

(Dott) Let's say them out loud together!

(both) alligator, ant, apple, astronaut.

(Dott) Now I'm going to take one away! Look, think, remember. What's missing?

(Describer) Number two.

(Dusty) Hmm. The ant! Oh, let's play again! Please?

(Dott) Okay. Let's say them all one more time! Remember, it can help our memory if we say them out loud.

(both) alligator, ant, apple, astronaut.

(Dott) Look, think, remember.

(Describer) Three.

What's missing?

(Dusty) The apple! Wait, what did you say? Do you think it's something else? I'm pretty sure it was the apple. Or was it the apricot? Yeah, you're right. It was totally an apple. My friends say "apple."

(Dott) Well done, everyone! I'm very impressed!

(Describer) In the Reading Room, Dott gives Dusty dog treats.

[bass beat strumming]

Say "grapefruit." Grapefruit. Say it again, but don't say "grape." Hm. Fruit! Good dog!

[munching] Mmm! Hey, play with us!

Dott gives me a word, then she breaks it up! You'll catch on. Mm-hm. Say "skyline." Skyline. Say it again, but don't say "sky." Hm. Line. Good dog. Mm-hm. Okay, I'm gonna give you a few in a row. Okay. Are you ready? Uh-huh. Great. Say "spacecraft." Spacecraft. Say it again, but don't say "space." Hm, craft. Say "outside." Outside. Say it again, but don't say "out." "Side"!

Uh-huh, you got it! [laughing]

Say "bulldog." Bulldog. Say it again, but don't say "bull." Hm, dog! Good work. Say "playpen." Playpen. Say it again, but don't say "play." Pen! Yes, Dusty! Mm! Hey, I want more treats! Oh!

(Describer) Dott and Dusty share a look.

(Describer) Animated paper letters spell "Alpha Shorts".

[soft piano music]

♪

(Describer) A lowercase A appears.

(Dott) A, apple, ah.

(Describer) A red apple appears.

A, apple, ah.

(Describer) The letter A and the Apple sparkle.

A, apple, ah.

(Describer) In the Reading Room, Alphabott's lips and teeth are parted. Dusty watches them, then joins in.

(Alphabott) Ah, ah, ah...

[humming] Hm? Ah, ah, ah....

Ahh! Ahh! What is going on here? Ahhhh. I have no idea. Ahh!

[Alphabott squeals]

Ha ha! A.B. Is just showing us a new sound, the "ah" sound. The sound we find in a word like apple. It's a special kind of sound that's called a vowel. And all words need a vowel. A vowel! I want to make that sound so bad! Hey, how do I do it, Dott? You just make a little smile and drop your chin down a little as you say "ah." Oh, did you see my chin? It dropped. Ah! I did! You look like you're going to take a bite out of an apple! So smile! Drop your chin, try! Okay. Hmm. Ah! That was fun. I feel like I was in a musical! Hey, let's explore this "ah" sound a little more. Can you stretch the sound out, Dusty? I think I can! Hey! Okay, friends, let's hold that "ah" sound out as long as you can. Ready, set, go! Ahhh! Ahhhh!

[sound winds down]

[laughs] Yes! Yes, I can.

What about your voice box? Is it working? Remember, put your fingers right on your neck and make the sound. Do you feel a little vibration or a buzz? Hey, let's try that! Ready, set, go.

Aaaah! [laughs]

(Describer) Dusty touches the front of his neck.

Did you feel a little buzz? Ah! I do. It's like there's a little bumble bee in there! Ahhh! Okay, Dust! Oh, Dusty, sit here. Oh, okay! Hey, Dott? I love sitting on your lap. Aww. I love it, too. Thanks for teaching me the "ah" sound. Hey, could you show me how to draw that "ah" sound? Please? Please, please? I think that is a great idea! All you need is your invisible paintbrush.

I got mine! [tinkling music]

Woop! Can you see it? Well, no, I can't, but I believe that it's there! Can I use it? Oh yeah, go ahead. Remember that counterclockwise circle that we made? Yeah. Let's draw that in the air. Whoa!

(Describer) A circle to the left.

Okay, now add a vertical line that touches the right side.

(Dusty) A vertical line? Like the one that goes up to down? Yes! That's right! And there you go. That's the symbol we call the letter "A." A, apple, ah! Yes, Dusty, that's right! Do you know any words that start with the "ah" sound? Hmm. Ah? Actor! Yes! Ah, ambulance!

Oh, good! [Alphabott squeals]

Oh, yes! Of course, A.B.! Alphabott was just saying she has the "ah" sound in her name. Can you find where it is? Is it in the beginning, the middle, or the end? Hm. Al-pha-bott. Ah, ah, where's the "ah" sound? Al, pha, bott. Oo, it's in the beginning!

Yes, good job, Dusty! [squealing]

Oh, this is fun, give me another! I want to keep playing! Let's play "Where Is It?" Whooo! Ha ha!

(Describer) Two blocks tumble out onto Alphabott's screen.

[plucky music]

(both) "Where Is It?" Okay, Dusty, remember, this is how it works-- we're going to pretend these blocks are words. This pink block is our first word, and this blue block is our second word. The "ah" sound is hidden in one of these words. And our job is to find it! That's right. Remember the sound is "ah." Is the "ah" sound in word attic or mud?

(both) Attic. Mud. What do you think, Dusty? Ah, ah, attic, mud. Where do you hear the "ah" sound? Haha! Yeah, I hear it in attic. Attic, the first square. Nicely done, Reading Buddies. Alright, let's try: crab, cheese.

(both) Crab, cheese. Where do you hear the "ah" sound? I love me some crab cheese, let's see. Crab, cheese. Where's the "ah" sound? Crab... Yeah, I hear it in crab! The first square, crab! I hear it there, too! Good work! I'm impressed, really. Thanks! It was all them! All right, Reading Buddies, let's try: backpack, sneaker.

(Both) Backpack, sneaker. Is the "ah" sound in backpack or sneaker? Backpack, sneaker, backpack, sneaker. Where do you hear the "ah" sound? Yeah, I hear it in backpack! Hey, I hear it twice in backpack! Back and pack! Let's see! Hey! Good catch! Catch? Where! Woah! Ah!

(Describer) Dusty falls.

Dusty, are you okay? Oh yeah, I'm fine. I'm fine. I'm so good. Yeah, do you feel up to building some bigger words? Sure, I do! Hey, Dott? I fell back there. Do you think anybody noticed? Oh! No, of course not. Let's move right along! Let's take these two squares. I'm going to let these squares represent certain sounds. Oh, what should we do first? Let's try "candy." Oh, I love candy! I know you do, Dusty. But focus. How many parts do you hear in "candy"? Hm. Can-dy. Two. Hey, is that why you have two squares? That's exactly right. So let's make this square be "can"

(Describer) One.

and this square be "dy."

(Describer) Two.

What happens when we take "can" away? Hm. We are left with "dy"! Yes, that's right. So I'm going to move "dy" over.

(Describer) One.

Let's add this square and call it "light."

(Describer) Two.

Will you say our word parts with me, Dusty? Yeah, okay, you have de, light. Yes, that's right. Delight!

[both laugh]

Wow! This is exciting. Big day for me. Okay, give me another. Okay. Let's move "light" over. Oh, okay. I move it over. Now I'm going to add this square,

(Describer) One.

(Describer) Two.

and let it be "bulb." Oh, bulb. That's a weird word. Bulb. Is that the thing you use in a lamp? Yes, it's what makes the light shine! So we have "light." and we have "bulb." What happens when you put them together, Dusty? Light. Bulb. Lightbulb! Ding ding ding! Well done, Dust. You deserve a little break, I think. You've done so much today already! You learned a new sound, you put word parts together, not to mention those chores you did earlier. Totally! Those chores! Which I absolutely did. Ha ha ha!

(Describer) To us.

Okay, can I tell you a secret? I forgot to clean my room before you came over! This is my chance! I need your help! Can you please help me organize my room? You will? Great! Race you to the doghouse! Ready, set, go!

[panting]

(Describer) Dusty hurries to his doghouse door in the middle of a bookcase. He ducks inside the yellow curtain.

[jazz music playing]

Whoa!

(singer) ♪ Dog dog doggy dog doggy dog dog house! ♪

(Describer) Inside, a bed and dresser.

[panting]

You beat me again! Whoo! This place is absolutely appalling. I've been avoiding adulting. But now you're here! Ha ha ha! Today, I only want to keep the things that have the "ah" sound in it. Oh, want some advice? Plug your nose! It stinks in here. Okay, here we go!

[grunting]

(Describer) Dusty dives in to the pile of clutter.

Oh, my gosh. Grrr! Ooh, salad! Does "salad" have the "ah" sound? Sal-ad! Yep, it does! Oh, I was looking for that! I'll eat that later. All right, up next... we have map. Does "map" have the "ah" sound? Ma-a-ap! Yeah, it's right there in the middle! We may need that, let's keep that out.

All right! [humming]

Cleaning my room. Ooh, lemon. Does "lemon" have the "ah" sound in it? Nope! Bye, lemon! Ha ha! All right, what else?

[grunting] Whoa!

Ooh, yo-yo! Does yo-yo have an "ah" sound?

[chuckling] Nope!

Yo don't have an "ah" sound, yo-yo! You gotta go. Woah, I remember seeing that.

(Describer) The final piece of clutter.

[grunts]

Ooh, carrot! Does carrot have an "ah" sound in it? Yeah, carrot! I'll put that in the salad! Oh look, we cleaned my room! Thanks for helping! Just for that, you can have some of that salad. I don't know how old it is, though. Oh, well! Let's see what's happening in the reading room. La la la!

(Describer) Dott and Alphabott stack blocks.

Hm, what do you think, A.B.?

[Alphabott squeals] I think...

Hello, ladies! Whatcha doing? A.B. and I are building this little block tower, but we don't know what color should go on top. That's easy! The blue one! Why the blue one? Because blue's my favorite color, so just pop that bad boy right on top there and call it a day. Well, that's your favorite color, but that doesn't mean it's my favorite color or Alphabott's favorite color. Yeah, but you see, it's my favorite color, so what that means for all of us is that... Oh! Okay, I see your point there. I see it.

(all) Hmmm. I've got it! We can take a vote! That's it! That's perfect! Why didn't I think of that? The answer was staring us in the face the whole time. There's just one problem. What's that? I have no idea what that means. Well, we can fix that. Voting is when a group of people, or in this case, a person, a robot, and a dog, all have to decide on something they want to do, all together. If there's more than one option, everyone says which option they would like, and whichever option has the most votes wins. Oh. Have you voted before? Oh, yes! We all have at some point in our lives. Whether it's what game we should play or what kind of pizza to order. We even vote for the leaders of the states and the country, all the way up to the president! Oh, this is exciting! I know! It is exciting! Okay, so we have to choose between the blue block and the pink block. Everyone who wants the pink block on top, raise your hand.

(Describer) Dott raises her hand.

Oh, okay. And everyone who wants the blue block on top,

raise your hand. [squealing]

(Describer) Alphabott and Dusty.

Well, that settles it! It's two votes for blue and one vote for pink. The blue block wins! Oh no, no! Wait, wait, Dott. Does that make you sad, though, that your block doesn't get to be on top? No, not really. My block is still in the tower, and maybe next time we vote, it will end up on top. Yeah. Who knows? The possibilities are endless!

Oh oh! [blocks crash]

(Describer) Dusty's paw accidentally knocks the tower over.

What do we do now? Well, let's build another!

[cheering and squealing]

Okay, this time I want the pink one on top! Okay, okay. I'm such a swing voter.

[laughing] Oh, what about some more colors?

Oh, some more colors...

(Describer) Together they rebuild the tower.

[upbeat music]

(both) "Squat with Dott!"

(Describer) Dott and Dusty wear exercise clothes.

[grunting]

Get ready to "Squat with Dott"! I'm just getting my stretches in before we get into action! You have my attention, Dott. Let's start with reaching our arms above our head.

(Describer) They reach one hand high, then the other.

Okay. Now across!

(Describer) They stretch one arm across their chest, then the other.

Whoo. Again above!

(Describer) They reach high.

Yeah. Ho. Now across! Hmm.

(Describer) They reach side to side.

Okay, let's get really active and add in some abdominals. Five, six, seven, eight!

(Describer) They wiggle their top to one side and their bottom to the other.

[Dusty grunts]

Last move-- it's called the Attitude. Well, I have plenty of that!

[Dusty scatting]

(Describer) They flutter their hands across their faces.

And pose!

(Describer) They freeze.

Good workout, Dott! Absolutely amazing, really.

(Describer) They clink their waterbottles together. Dusty scrubs in the bathtub.

[humming]

Dott's workout made me sweat, so I'm in the bath, popping bubbles. It's so fun!

(Describer) He swats with his scrub brush.

Hi-yah! Ha ha! Let's do it together!

(Describer) Two bubbles float up.

(Dott) A, pple. Hyah!

(Describer) Dusty swats them away.

Apple.

(Describer) Two more bubbles float up.

Ab-sent. Whoo! Absent.

(Describer) Two more bubbles appear.

Act, ing. Acting.

(Describer) Dusty swats them away.

An, swer. Gotcha! Answer.

(Describer) Dusty lifts his paw from the water.

Whoa! Hey, Dott, my fingers are pruning! Time to come out! Ha ha! They look like raisins! Ha ha ha! Hmm.

(Describer) Dusty nibbles at his paw.

[plucky music]

(Describer) In the Reading Room.

Ooh, Dusty! You got another letter from your friend Otto. Hey, let's read it! Sure, Dott! I've learned so many sounds, I bet I can even pick out the "ah" sound. Go ahead, let's see. All right.

(Describer) Dear Dusty. The letter appears.

[plucky music]

(Dott) "Dear Dusty, "Attention! Attention! "Do I have your attention? "Did you hear about the astronaut from Alabama? "Annie is her name. Good friend of mine. "Anyway, Annie attempted to bring an anteater "on the Apollo! "Talk about an adventure! "Turns out anteaters are anti-asteroids, "so they turned back around. "Alrighty! That's all! Otto."

[plucky music]

(Describer) The 15 letter A's are highlighted that make the ah sound.

I adore Otto's letters. Me too. Hey, I heard the "ah" sound a lot in there. Oh, yeah? What was your favorite line? Mm, "anteaters are anti-asteroids." That was a good one. Mm-hm. Hey, let's say Dusty's favorite line together. Ready? Yeah.

(both) "Anteaters are anti-asteroids."

[laughing]

Phew! Hey, we learned a lot today! Mm-hm. Thank you for learning with me! Little by little! Letter by letter!

♪ Reading Buddies ♪

♪ You did great work today ♪

♪ Reading Buddies ♪

♪ I really, really, really wish you could stay ♪

♪ So, we'll see you soon ♪

♪ From this same spot ♪

♪ With Dusty ♪ ♪ And Dott ♪

♪ and Alphabott ♪

♪ With your ♪

♪ Reading Buddies ♪

♪ You'll never read alone! ♪

(Describer) Dott and Dusty wave.

Accessibility provided by the U.S. Department of Education

(Describer) Alphabott dances in the Reading Room.

♪

(Describer) Credits. Accessibility provided by the US Department of Education.

[Alphabott humming]