(Describer) In the Reading Room, Alphabott is dressed up in purple feathers and a black sparkle hat. Dusty plays photographer.

[plucky music]

Okay, hold it right there.

No, no, a little to the right. [squeals]

No, no, wait, the left. Okay, give me happy! No, sad. Yeah, no, sweet. No, confused!

[Alphabott squealing]

Perfect! [wheeze]

Hey, you two, what is going on? Oh, Alphabott wanted me to take her picture with her new camera! Look at this thing! It actually uses film. Look out for dinosaurs! Ha ha! Anyway, we're doing a little photoshoot. We're trying to really give her a glow up.

[Alphabott squealing] You look gorgeous,

but could I make a suggestion? I know what you're going to say. We need to use a filter, whatever that is. Dusty, why don't you just take a picture of A.B. as herself? I think she's pretty cool the way she is. Yeah, I like her the way she is too, Dott, but if we don't put all this stuff on her, is it even a picture? Oh, one sec, let me fix this!

A.B., your feather boa-- [angry squealing]

No, wait, wait--whoa!

(Describer) Dusty and Alphabott fall over.

We're good.

[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 B.

(Describer) Begin the Beguine.

You're here! You made it! We were just about to start our lesson. I'm Dott, like the polka dot, and this is my dog, Dusty. Like the dust! We are Reading Buddies, and guess what? You can be our Reading Buddy too! Yeah! Learning to read has been so much fun with you. Yeah, you! It's nice to have company, isn't it? To learn with... To play with! Right. We always have to make time for play! So let's get into it! "I Hear With My Little Ear"! I'll say a word, and you tell me how many parts you hear in the word! Got it!

(Dusty) "I Hear With My Little Ear." The word is "picture." How many syllables do you hear in "picture"? Picture. Pic-ture. Two, two syllables! Right. How about the word "fox"? Hm, fox. Fox. One, just one! Just one syllable! That's right. Okay, try the word "balloon." Hmm. Balloon. Bal-loon. Bal-loon. That's two, two syllables! That's right, well done! Okay, try the word "bicycle." Woah, okay. This one seems pretty tough. Hey, can you help me with this one? Sure, do you want me to clap it out? Yes, please! Okay, ready? Yeah.

[clapping] Bi-cy-cle. Bi-cy-cle.

That's three syllables! Excellent, Dusty! Hey, we started to draw bicycles with A.B. before our friends came over. We were! Dusty's very into bikes these days. Mm-hm. Do you want to help us finish them?

[gasps] Yay! Great! Yes!

Hey, let's get A.B. Okay.

(Dott) "Dot to Dot, with Alphabott!"

[Alphabott squeals]

(Describer) An easel with a drawing.

Hey, A.B., could we show our friends the drawing you were working on earlier?

[squeals]

She started to draw the handles and the pedals, but she forgot something. Do you see what Alphabott's bicycle needs? Did you say wheels? Well, you're right! The bike is missing its wheels. Now what shape are the wheels, again? Circles! Could you imagine a bike with square wheels?

It would be like... [squeaking]

(Describer) Dusty jerks up and down.

You're right, not very practical. Okay then! Let's draw some wheels. Let's draw counterclockwise circles. They go left,

(Describer) Dott draws the back wheel.

down, to the right, and back up to where we started. Nailed it! Oh, do the other one! Okay.

(Dusty) To the left, down, and back up to where we started. Hey, where would you want to go on our bike, Dusty? Where? I'll tell ya! Put 30 seconds on the clock! It's "Speedy Story" time! Ha ha!

(Describer) A countdown appears.

[clock ticking]

Once... upon...

(both) a time! It was Sunday... Ah, the birds were chirping... Hm, we were leaving the farmers' market on a bicycle built for two. When all of a sudden, uh, an alien showed up! He was lost. Okay, he climbs into our bike basket and he tells us he wants to go home. So, we take him! Plot twist-- he's magic. The bike starts flying! I swear, I've heard this story before.

(both) The end!

(announcer) "It's Rhyme Time!" You guessed it! It's "Rhyme Time"! Now remember, a rhyme is when two words sound the same at the end. Like Dott and bot. Yes, that's right. I'm going to say three words. Two of them rhyme, one of them doesn't. Easy peasy lemon squeezey! Let's play! Okay! Squiggle, giggle, pig.

[giggles] Squiggle, giggle, pig.

Which one doesn't rhyme? Yeah, I think it's pig, too. Pig! Good work! Cart, mart, octopus. Which word doesn't rhyme? Hmm. Cart, mart, octopus. Which one doesn't rhyme? Yeah, I think it's octopus, too. It's octopus! Great job. Bone, rabbit, tone. Hmm. Bone, rabbit, tone. What do you think? Bone, rabbit, tone. Which one doesn't rhyme? Mm-hm. It's that bouncing rabbit! Yes! Good impression! Thanks. Okay, try: fun, run, won. Ooh, fun, run, won. Fun, run, won. Fun, run, won, fun, run-- wait a minute! They all rhyme!

[laughs] Fun, run, won.

And speaking of winning, I think we did it! And now a poem! Now? Oh, no! So much for a fun run! I gotta go!

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

[panting]

[drumbeat]

Oh, to be a busy bat in the night sky eating all the bugs I hear that try to sneak on by. Chomp-- a moth! Yum-- a fly! Is that a tasty slug? It looks like a scrumptious snack--

[chomp!] yuck!

Just ate a stink bug. Bleh! Thank you! Thank you.

[squealing] Based on a true story.

(Describer) The game "What's missing?" Four pictures in a row.

(Dott) "What Do You See?"

(Dusty) I see a bat, a banana, a ball, and a bagel.

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

(both) Bat, banana, ball, bagel.

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

(Describer) Number two.

What's missing?

(Dusty) [gasps] The banana!

Let's play again! Please?

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

(both) Bat, banana, ball, bagel.

(Dott) Okay! Look, think, remember.

(Describer) Number one.

What's missing?

(Dusty) Oh, man. I don't remember. Can you help me? Shout it out! Oh! Yes! The bat.

(Dott) That's right! Okay, final round. We have bat, banana, ball, bagel. Look, think, remember. What's missing?

(Describer) Number four.

(Dusty) The donut!

(Dott) The donut? I don't remember a donut being there.

(Dusty) You know, the thing-- it's delicious.

(Dott) Here's a hint-- it starts with the "buh" sound.

(Dusty) Buh, buh, buh. Oh, that's right! The bagel!

(Dott) Mmm, now I'm hungry.

(Dusty) I'm always hungry.

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

Say pingpong. Pingpong. Say it again, but don't say "pong." Mm. Ping! Hey, you took out the last part! I know. Tricky, tricky. Good dog. Mmm! I'm trying to teach Dusty some new tricks. I'm ready for another! Let's go! We're breaking apart some words. Say oatmeal. Oatmeal. Say it again, but don't say "oat." Hm. Meal. Oh, hey! That time you took out the first part! I know, you noticed! I did. Ready for another? Born ready. Okay. Say snowflake. Snowflake. Say it again, but don't say "flake." Hmm. Snow! Yes, Dusty! Say scarecrow. Scarecrow. Say it again, but don't say "scare." Hm. Crow! Cacadoodledoo! That's a rooster! Close enough.

(Describer) Dott shrugs.

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

[soft music]

(Describer) A lowercase B appears.

(Dott) B, bear, "buh."

(Describer) A blue bear sits beside the B.

B, bear, "buh." B, bear, "buh."

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

(Alphabott) Buh, buh, buh, buh.

[Dusty humming] Hmm?

What is it, A.B.? Are you trying to tell us something? What do you need? Buh, buh? Bottle? Buh, buh binky? Brontosaurus? A.B., do you need a brontosaurus? I'll get one! Dusty, she's introducing us to our new sound! Oh, right! You think I would have caught on to this bit by now. What's the new sound, Dott? How do we make it? The sound is "buh," like bear. Do you want to explore this sound a little more? You betcha! Okay, bring your lips together, and when we push the air out of our mouths, we're gonna pop our lips open a little! Okay. "Buh." Buh! Ha, hey! Did you feel the air burst out? Hm, let me-- buh! Yeah, I did! It burstededed. It burst, it burst. Burst. That's a funny word. Okay, now can you hold that "buh" sound out like you did with the "ah" sound?

Okay, okay. [deep inhale]

Buh! No. Nope, I cannot. Oh, I'll tell you what. What? Buh buh buh! My vocal chords are definitely working. I feel that buzz. Hey! Buh, buh-- buzz has a "buh" sound. You're totally right, it does! Now Dusty, do you use your lips or your tongue to make the "buh" sound? Hmmm, buh, buh. Oooh, my lips! I feel my-- is that right? You got it! Yes! Hey, Dott? What?

(Describer) Dusty sits in her lap.

Oh! Look what else I have.

(Describer) He holds up his empty paw.

Woo! Sparkle, sparkle, sparkle. Is that an invisible paintbrush?

Of course! [chuckles]

Beautiful, thank you! Hey, let's draw the symbol that makes the "buh" sound. First, make a vertical line, top to bottom. Then, attach a clockwise circle to the right. Just like the hands of the clock! Yes, that's it! You made the letter B. B! Bear. Buh! Good job, Dusty! Hey, A.B., do you want to hide the "buh" sound in some words? We can see if our friends can find it. Oh, I love this game! It's called... "Where Is It?"

[squeals] Bring it on, A.B.!

[squeal]

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

[plucky music]

(both) "Where Is It?" Where is it? Hey, I was gonna say that! The jingle interrupted me. We're going to pretend these blocks are words. Let's pretend this pink block is our first word, and this blue block is our second word. The "buh" sound is hidden in one of these words. Your job is to find it! Remember the sound is "buh." Buh. Is the "buh" sound in the word cat or bat?

(both) Cat, bat. Where do you hear the "buh" sound? Buh, buh-- hey, I hear it in bat! That's right, Dust! You're ready. Let's try: alto, bass.

(both) Alto, bass. What about there? Hm, alto bass-- buh, buh. I hear it in bass. That's right! All right, Reading Buddies, let's do another. Beaver, fish. Hm. Beaver, fish. Where do you hear the "buh" sound? Hm, beaver, fish. Where do you hear the "buh" sound?

(Describer) To us.

Beaver, fish. Yeah, it starts the word beaver! The first square! Ding, ding, ding! Alright, let's try: lunch, brunch. Yes. Lunch, brunch. Where do you hear the "buh" sound, Dusty? Buh, buh, buh-- brunch! I hear it in brunch! That's right, we love brunch. Yeah, we love it. Let's try: big, small.

(both) Big, small. What do you think with that one? Buh, buh, buh-- where do you hear the "buh" sound? Big, small. Buh.

(Describer) To us.

Yeah, it's in big, the first square. You all are great team! All right, are you ready? Yeah, doing my ready dance. Good, let's try: bride, groom. Ah, bride, groom. Where do you hear the "buh" sound? Is it in bride or groom? Hm, I think I just heard it in bride! The first square! Hey, that's right! Nicely done, everyone! Thanks! Hey, I want to show you something else! Let me just grab my magnets. Oh, I can't wait. Let's take these two squares. Whoah. Do you have any magnets at home that you can play with? I'm going to let these squares represent certain words. Let's try "helpful." Oh, is that like how I'm helpful when I warm your feet at night? That's a very good example of being helpful! You can be helpful by lending a hand to someone. Or you can be helpful by not talking while someone else is talking.

(Describer) Dusty pretends to zip his mouth shut.

Dusty? Hmm? Dusty? Are you okay? I'm trying not to talk over you. Oh! Well thank you. That was helpful, and surprising! Where were we? Helpful! Right. Helpful. We have these two squares. This one stands for "help,"

(Describer) One.

and this one stands for "full."

(Describer) Two.

What happens when we take "help" away? Helpful, take out the help, and what do you have? You have full! Yes! That's right! Well done. So I'm going to keep that "full," and I'm going to move it over.

(Describer) One.

And I'm going to add this square and let it represent "back."

(Describer) Two.

So now what do we have?

(Dusty) Full, back. Fullback! Yes! What in the world is a fullback? You know, it's like a football thing. Uh, football? Just go with it, okay? So we have "full" and "back." Which one are you going to take away? Let's take away the first square. Mmm. Now what's left? Well, we had that classic football term "fullback." If I take "full" away, I have... "back!" That's right. Now what happens if I put this square here and call it "up"? Back, up. Back, up! Back up. Backup! Like when we don't have anything better to do, so our backup is football! Okay, Dusty. I know you aren't much of a sports dog, but some people really like it. Yeah, I know, I know. Hey "backup" starts with the "buh" sound, right? Yes, it does! Can you think of other words with the "buh" sound? Oh, let me think. Bears, beets... Mm mm. Battlestar Galactica! Bedroom! [gasps] Oh no! I forgot to clean my bedroom!

[laughs] Hey, you know what would be fun?

Cleaning my room! Come on, I'll 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.

[jazzy beat playing]

♪ Whoa!

(singer) ♪ Dog dog, doggie dog ♪

♪ Doggie dog, doggie doghouse! ♪

[panting]

(Describer) Inside.

You beat me again! How are you so fast? It's really bonkers! Okay, let's keep all the things that have the "buh" sound because that's what brings me joy. All right, oh, careful. Hey there, big fella, sun's getting real low, sun's getting real low! There it is. Good pile of junk. Hyah! [grunting]

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

Ooh, a banana! Does banana have the "buh" sound in it? Yeah! Buh, buh, banana! All right, onto the next one now. Careful, careful. Gah! Take one of these, and one of those! Woah!

(Describer) Dusty disappears into the pile.

[grunting] That one almost got me!

[grunting]

Woah, there was a tiger in there? Tiger, does that have a "buh" sound in it? Nuh-unh.

Bye, tiger! [mewling]

Onto the next one, you pile of junk.

[grunting]

Ooh, butterfly. Does butterfly have a "buh" sound in it? Yeah, butterfly! Right in the beginning. It's beautiful! All right. Ooh, a balloon. Does balloon have a "buh" sound in it? Mm-hm, right in the buh-- beginning! Ha ha! All right.

[grunting]

There's so much stuff in here!

[whooshing] Ooh, vacuum.

Does vacuum have a "buh" sound? Nn-nnh, no "buh" in vacuum. We should probably use it, but see you later, vacuum! Ha ha! Last one-- broom. Does broom have a "buh" sound? Yeah, and we can use it to clean this room! Be gone, junk, be gone!

[laughs]

Hey, thanks for helping me clean up! I'm gonna sweep up a little, I'll meet you back in the reading room. All right, where's that broom? Well, lost the broom.

[dog howls]

(Describer) In the Reading Room, Dott plays a small guitar like instrument called a ukulele.

[strumming]

Hmm. Rats, I can't get that chord. What's wrong, Dott? Hey, Dust. I'm trying to practice this new song, but it's hard, and I keep messing up. Don't worry, you'll get it. Yeah, I know, it's just taking longer than I want. Hm. Well, what can we do? There's nothing we can do. I just have to practice more, but it's not very fun to practice alone. Hm. Hey, what if I, like, helped you? Yeah, I could make sure you practice. Well, that would hold me accountable. Well, I'm not an accountant, but I do know a guy, I guess.... No, Dusty, it just means that you can make sure that I practice, and you could make sure that I stuck to it! Oh yeah, and I could give you encouragement! Well, that'd be even better. I definitely have an easier time doing hard things when I have a team. Oh hey, like you did when I had that hard job of cleaning my room!

[strumming]

[gasps] That was it!

(Describer) Dott grins.

Yes, I got it! Yes, see? You're already better because of my accounting! Accountability. Yeah, that's what I said. Okay, I'm gonna go chase my tail for five minutes while you practice, okay? Okay. Here I go!

[grunting] Where is it?

(Describer) Dusty swivels around.

Oh, good job! You're sounding great. I don't know about that!

(Describer) Colorful frames and shapes.

[upbeat music]

(both) "Squat with Dott!"

(Describer) Dott and Dusty wear exercise clothes.

Let's go. Let's go! Let's begin with breathing. What? Breathing? But I do that every day! All the time! I'm doing it now! And isn't it beautiful? Taking a deep breath is one of my favorite things to do. Believe me! It helps me balance! Ooh, I know how to balance! Look! Whoa! Whoa!

(Describer) Dusty wobbles and sways.

Should we join him? Let's all balance on one foot! Hey, are you breathing? Whoa!

Oh, yeah. [inhales]

Now the other!

[grunting] Whoo!

Okay, both feet on the ground now! Let's burst our arms up! And down. Dott, are you breathing? I am, Dusty. Thanks for checking. Now let's beam our hearts up to the sky! What does "beaming" mean? It means shining brightly! Like a star! Hey, that's my favorite thing to do! Look at me, I'm beaming! Brilliant! Hey, what about this? I call this the Brave Bunny. Hmm. But you have to box while you're doing it.

(Describer) Dusty moves side to side.

Bounce, bounce, box, box. Ooh, I like that, let me try. Okay, so we bounce and box. Yeah! Bounce, and box. Woah, I do feel great! Okay, we're almost there!

(Describer) Dott bounces as she shifts her feet and lightly punches the air.

Five, six, seven, eight,

and button! [panting]

(Describer) They stop.

[sighs] Good workout, Dott!

Blissful, really.

(Describer) They clink their waterbottles together.

♪

(Describer) Colorful frames around the title "Squat with Dott".

(Describer) Dusty in the bathtub.

[humming] Oh, hi!

Dott's workout made me sweat, so here I am in the bath popping bubbles with my loofa. Hey! Where's my loofa? Loofa! Loofa! Where are you? Oh, here it is! Hi-yah! Ha ha!

(Describer) Dusty swats bubbles with his scrub brush. Two new bubbles float up.

[water splashing]

(Dott) Bear, cub. Hyah! Bearcub.

(Describer) Two more bubbles float up.

[splashing]

Bubb, le.

(Describer) Dusty swats them away.

Bubble. Eating a sandwich in the bath is so-- Whoops!

(Describer) He drops his food in the water.

Uh-oh.

(Describer) Dusty frowns. Two new bubbles float up.

(Dott) Bath, tub. Bathtub.

(Describer) Dusty swats them away as two more bubbles float up.

Back, wards. Backwards.

(Describer) Dusty swats and more bubbles rise.

Ba-by. Baby.

(Describer) Dusty swats the bubbles.

Ha ha! Squeaky clean! Hey, Dott, I'm ready to come out now!

(Describer) Dott and Dusty in the Reading Room.

Dusty, you got another letter from your friend Otto. Let's read it together! I wonder if the "buh" sound is in it. Let's listen! Okay!

(Describer) Dott opens it. "Dear Dusty". The letter appears.

[plucky music]

(Dott) "Dear Dusty, "Boy, oh, boy! "Back from my boating bonanza! "My buddies Bernie and Betty came with me. "Betty brought her banjo! "She belted out ballad after ballad. "I'd yell 'bravo!' "We were beggin' for more. "It was like Broadway! Ever been? "Bye bye for now. Otto."

[plucky music]

(Describer) Each of the 20 letter B's is highlighted.

Have I ever been to Broadway? Of course I have. I saw you there! That's right, you did! Hey, what was your favorite line from that letter? Oo, I think, "Betty brought her banjo!" Hey, let's say that three times fast! Okay. Ready?

(both) Betty brought her banjo, Betty brought her banjo, Betty brought her banjo!

[laughs]

Hey, let's give ourselves some pats on the back for all of that brain power we used today! My brain is getting bigger by the day. 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.

[Alphabott squeaking to music]

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

♪