(Describer) Photos and drawings fill a bulletin board. With Dott and Dusty:

[intro music]

Okay, Dusty, see the ball? Yes. Yes, I do. Urgh! So close. I am going to throw this ball. Uh-huh. And you are going to go get it! Sounds doable! Okay, here we go!

(Describer) Dott tosses the ball, and Dusty takes one step.

[Dusty grunting, panting]

Ahh! Whew, okay, hold on one second. Ah, okay. Oh boy, ha ha! That was a lot of exercise, huh? What are you doing? You're supposed to fetch the ball. Yeah yeah, I know that, but that's pretty far away.

That's like... [whistles] ten feet away.

But don't you want the ball? Yeah, oh! Yeah, I do, but not that bad. I've got a plan, though, Dott. Hey, Alphabott, I've got a game for you!

[Alphabott squeals]

Hey, A.B., see that ball over there?

[Alphabott squeals]

Yeah, don't you want that ball? Wouldn't it be nice to go get that ball?

[Alphabott squeals] Wouldn't that be fun?

Okay! Okay, ready, set, go get the ball! Go get it! Go on, go on! Some dogs play fetch. I have one that makes plans.

(Describer) A title appears: 'The Reading League's Reading Buddies.'

[theme music playing]

♪

(Describer) A dog puppet in an orange bandana learns and talks: 'With Dusty.'

(Describer) A woman in a polka dot dress draws letters and plays the ukulele: 'And Dott.'

(Describer) A robot with an expressive face screen shows colors and letters: 'And Alphabott.'

(Describer) The trio play and laugh, and the episode title appears: 'octopus' garden.'

You're here! You made it! I'm Dott, like the polka dot. And this is my dog, Dusty. Like the dust! And if you're not new, and you already know all of that, then let the reading games begin! That's right! We love to read, tell stories, and of course, play games. Our first game is "I Hear With My Little Ear!" Or in my case, I hear with my big floppy ear!

[tinkling music]

(Dusty) "I Hear With My Little Ear! In this game, we focus on sounds. Dusty is on your team. The best team! I'll say a word, and you and Dusty repeat that word out loud, and then tell me what sound that word ends with. Okay, are you ready? I was born ready! Great! Say "bat." Bat. What sound does bat end with? Hm. Bat, bat bat. Tt-tt-tt-tt! Bat ends with "tt"! Say "water." Water. What sound does "water" end with? Hmm, water, water, water. Rr, rr, rr!

[laughs] Water ends with "rr"!

Good job, everyone! Okay, let's mix it up. Yeah! I'll say a word, you repeat that word, and tell me what sound is at the beginning of the word. The beginning? You mean the first sound we hear? Uh-huh! Got it! Okay. Say "mop." Mop. What sound does mop start with? Mop, mop, mop. Mm. Mop starts with "mmm." Yes! Okay, say "gas." Gas. What sound does gas end with? What, huh? Are you trying to trick me! Dott asked for the end sound. What was the word? The word was gas. Ah yes, gas. Gas. Ss, ss, ss! Gas ends with "ss"! Yes! Great job! I bet you say that to all the talking dogs.

(Describer) A title:

(Dott) "Dot to Dot with Alphabott!"

[Alphabott squeals]

Hi, Alphabott! What are you drawing today?

[Alphabott squeals]

(Describer) Her paper has a stick shape.

Hmm, a lollipop! Well, it looks like it's missing something, A.B. Hey, do you see what A.B.'s lollipop is missing? I'm not sure if it's missing the "lolli" or the "pop." Do you mind if we help you finish your drawing, A.B.?

[Alphabott squeals]

Okay, great! Feel free to draw along if you'd like. We're going to add a circle to the top of this stick over here. Okay, let's start up here, and make a counterclockwise circle.

(Dusty) Hmm. We go to the left, down, to the right, and back up to where we started. Woah, I feel like I'm on a roller coaster! Hey, that gives me a great idea, Dusty. Let's add some more circles inside, almost like a big spiral on a lollipop. Okay, around and around. Woah! In a counter-clockwise pattern! Woah! Ha ha!

(Describer) She draws a pink spiral in the lollipop.

And there we go! Now we have a lollipop! Wow! I wish I could go on a lollipop rollercoaster.

[gasps] Hey!

Let's come up with a story about a candy-themed carnival! Put 30 seconds on the clock! It's time for a "Speedy Story"!

(Describer) A title: Speedy Story.

[clock ticking]

Once... Upon...

(both) a time! Dott and I were just, you know, hanging out with nothing to do, you know? Yeah, we were bored! Without anything to do! When all of a sudden... A carnival popped out all around us. Ooh, but this carnival was different. It was entirely made of candy! Yes, with a licorice lagoon! A gumdrop bounce house! And a lollipop roller coaster! Only trouble is, I ate all the rides before we rode them. So we didn't end up going on any rides? Nnn-nh. The end!

(announcer) "It's Rhyme Time!" It's "Rhyme Time!" The game where two words rhyme and one word doesn't. That's right! Today we're going to use our nonsense words! They're just silly words we made up. Mm-hm. But silly words can still rhyme! Let's do it! Okay, which word doesn't rhyme? Karn, sarn, yame. Hm. Karn, sarn, yame. Yame doesn't rhyme! Dusty, that was quick! Okay, let me give you another. Dop, jope, fop. Woah, dop, jope, fop. Which one doesn't rhyme? Dop, jope, fop. I don't think jope rhymes! I'm so impressed! Okay. Barp, yarp, yap.

[laughs] Those are funny words. I know.

Barp, yarp, yap. Which one doesn't rhyme? Barp, yarp, yap. I don't think yap rhymes! Hey, that's right! Hey, I'm pretty sure "yap" is a word. I have some smaller dog friends who talk all the time, and that's what they sound like-- "yap yap yap yap yap yap." They're pretty yappy, yessir! Yap yap yap! And now, a poem.

[gasps] Now!

Oh, why'd you let me yap my yapper off! Ohh!

[drumbeat]

(Describer) In a beret:

Have some rock candy, it's sweet as can be. It's a great candy, won't you agree? Oh, one word of warning! And this is the truth. Don't eat a real rock, or you'll hurt your dog tooth. Mmm. Ooh, yeah.

(Describer) Dott snaps.

[Alphabott squeals]

No, I really ate a rock! It hurts!

(Describer) Now, 'What's Missing?'

[soft music]

(Dott) What do you see?

(Dusty) Otter, olive, octopus, ostrich.

(Dott) Let's say them all out loud to help our memory.

(Both) Otter, olive, octopus, ostrich.

(Dott) Now I'm going to take one away and you have to remember what it is. Look, think, remember. What's missing?

(Dusty) It's the otter! He's a cute little fella! Hey, did you know they crack clams open with their belly!

(Dott) I did know that! Isn't that funny? Let's play again, but this time, I'm going to mix up where our objects go!

(Dusty) No problem!

(Dott) Let's review. I see an ostrich, octopus, olive, otter. Look, think, remember. What's missing?

(Dusty) The olive? No, no. It's a big bird. The, uh, optometrist.

(Dott) I think you mean ostrich, and I think you're right!

(Dusty) Right! The ostrich was missing! How could I miss that? I think I need glasses.

(Describer) Dott stretches.

Oh, don't mind us. Dott is training me to learn a new trick. If Dusty gets it right, he gets a treat. Mm-hmm! Here, watch this. Say "donut." Donut. Say it again, but don't say "do." Hm, "nut!" Hey! Good dog!

[chomping]

Say "macaroni." Macaroni. Say it again, but don't say "mac." Hm. "Aroni!" Yes! Woah! You're not holding back today! That was tricky! Hey, but you are doing great! Do you want to try one? I can say one, and we'll let you answer! Yeah! And hey, I'm here if you need me! Say "kangaroo." Kangaroo. Say it again, but don't say "kanga." Did you say "roo"? Yes, that's right! Okay, I'll give you one more, Dusty. Come on. Say "library." Library. Say it again, but don't say "li." Hm, "brary!" Good dog.

[chomps]

Yum! Good Dott.

(Describer) A title in paper letters reads: 'alpha shorts.' Paper stars twinkle around it. An o appears, followed by an octopus.

[soft music]

(Dott) O, octopus, aw.

(Describer) The octopus takes the o.

O, octopus, aw.

(Describer) The octopus takes stars.

O, octopus, aw.

(Describer) Alphabott shows an open mouth:

(Alphabott) Aw, aw, aw.

[humming] Hm?

Oh, Alphabott wants to play doctor! Okay, open wide! Yes, very nice! Well, you could use a little more vitamin C, and you could floss more, but you may need to see a dentist about that 'cause I'm not qualified to work with teeth. I'm just a doctor... Dusty, Alphabott's telling us it's time to learn a new sound. Oh, that makes sense! The "aw" sound is another one of those sounds like "ah" and "ih." Oh! Those sounds have a name, right, Dott? They do! We call them vowels. There are a few more, but we'll learn another day. Today is all about the "aw" sound! Like in octopus! Octopus. Can I hold that sound out? Okay, let me try. Ahem. Ahhhhh! I can! You're right, Dusty, you can! When you hold out "aw" sound out like that, it does sound like you're getting a checkup at the doctor's office. As long as I get a lollipop when we're done here, that is fine with me! When we make this sound, our tongue is low and in the center of our mouth. And our lips and mouth are open! Aww. Oh! Your chin dropped a lot when you made the sound, Dott! You're right, it did. Now, let's see if our voice box is working. So you put your hand gently on your neck. Do you feel a buzz or a vibration? Awww. Ha ha! Yeah! I feel that buzz! It is noisy! Hey, Dott? What are some other words that start with the "aw" sound? Well, "aw" starts words like otter and October. It's in the middle of a lot of other words, too! Oh, that sounds complicated. Oh, actually, you're going to be familiar with this shape, you just don't know it yet. Woah, you mean with our invisible paintbrushes? That's exactly what I mean! Prove it!

Oh! Bllling! [magical tinkling]

(Describer) Dott holds an invisible paint brush.

Oh-ho! That came outta nowhere! I'll start slow. Draw a counterclockwise circle. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Okay, now what? That's it! Wha--! That's it? You've got to be kidding me. I'm not! That symbol is the letter O, and it's just a circle. Wow, that might be my favorite! Oh, yeah? Well, let's put it to the test!

[A.B. squeals] Oh, okay!

You can hide that letter anywhere. Oh, I'm gonna find it! I can find any letter, any word, any time, any place! What was the letter, Dott? I, I forgot.

[soft music]

(Describer) A title cracks out of question boxes:

(both) "Where Is It?" A.B. and I have hidden the "aw" sound behind one of these three squares. Your job is to find it! But remember, it could be behind any of these three squares! Onward! Okay! Where is the "aw" sound in the word "positive"? Hm. Pos, i, tive.

(both) Pos, i, tive. Is the "aw" sound in the beginning, the middle, or the end? Pos, ih, tive. Where do you hear the "aw" sound? Pos, ih, tive. Yeah, I hear it in the first part, too! Pos! Great job. It's in the first square, that's right. Where is the "aw" sound in "oxygen"?

[gasps]

Ox, ih, gen.

(both) Ox, ih, gen. Well, Dusty? Ox, ih, gen. Awww. Hey, I hear it right in that first square-- ox! The beginning! Yeah! Yes, that's right. Okay. Hey, Dott? Yes? Um, what's oxygen? Oh, it's what we breathe in all the time. Oh, no wonder I knew that one! Where is the "aw" sound in the word "octagon"? Ooh. Oc, ta, gon.

(both) Oc, ta, gon. Where do you hear the "aw" sound? Oc. Ta. Gon. Oc. Ta. Gon. Hey. I hear it in the first and last square! You're right! This was tricky, wasn't it? Great work, Reading Buddies! Okay, let's build some other words down here on Alphabott. Okay. Okay, Dust, do you see anything familiar, right about here? Oh, that's an A, ahhh, like apple. See, I listen. You do! So let's leave "ah" like apple there. Now what does "ah" turn into when we add "duh" like dog after it? Ah, duh. Ah, duh. Ad! Yes! Now what happens when we add the "ff" sound in front? Ff, ah, duh. Fad! Ding-ding-ding! All right, let's take the "ff" sound away and add a "duh" sound to the beginning. Now what sound do we have? Duh, ah, duh. Dad! Dad! Great! Oh, all right, let's challenge that beautiful brain of yours. Yeah, bring it on! Let's get rid of the "ah" in the middle, and let's put "ih," like itch there. Hmm, okay. Duh, ih, duh. Did! Yes! Oh, yeah! All right, excellent! Now, let's change the first sound to "rr." Hmm. What do we have now? Rr, ih, duh. Rid! Dusty! You did it! You all did such great jobs! That was tricky. Mm-hm! Hey, what does rid mean? Oh, to "get rid" of something means to make something go away, like how you get rid of all the garbage in your room. You did that, right? Riiight! I'll be honest, I haven't gotten rid of anything. My room is so dirty. Like so dirty! Hey, will you help me clean up that mess? Oh, good! I'll race you to the doghouse! Ready, set, go!

[funky beat playing]

(Describer) Dusty trips through his dog house door: 'Dusty's Doghouse.' He appears in a cartoon bedroom with a pile of stuff.

Whoa!

(singer) ♪ Dog dog, doggie dog ♪

♪ Doggie dog doghouse! ♪

[Dusty panting]

You win this round, Reading Buddies. You win this round. Seriously, how are you so fast? Okay, time to clean! I'm only keeping things that bring me joy, and today we're going to keep all items that have the "aw" sound somewhere in the word. Here we go! Yaaa! [grunting] There's so much stuff in here!

[grunts]

[squealing] Otter.

Does otter have an "aw" sound? Ha ha! Yep, right in the beginning! Oh, I'm gonna feed that otter clams later! He's gonna be so happy. Rock! Does rock have an "aw" sound? Haha! Yup! That's my pet rock. His name is Rocky. Take one of these! And one of those! Agh! Ooh, lamp! Does lamp have an "aw" sound? Nope! Light's overrated anyway. Okay, what else do we have in this pile of junk?

[sniffs] Sock! Ew.

Does sock have an "aw" sound? Ha ha! Yeah! That's my favorite sock, it tastes so good. All right. [grunting] Woah! Pizza! What about pizza? Is there an "aw" sound in pizza? No! Oh no, I can't believe I'm saying this. We gotta get rid of the pizza!

[sobs] [plays sad note]

(Describer) The pile pats his back.

Oh, thank you. Oh! Yaaa! Waaa!

(Describer) Dusty digs out something else.

Ooh, lock! How about lock? Is there an "aw" in lock? Oh, great! I can finally lock up all my snacks! Ha! Great job finding those "aw" sounds! I'm going to use that lock to lock up all my snacks. I think Alphabott's been sleep eating again! Or maybe it's me. Either way, I'm locking 'em up! Hey, let's go back to the reading room and see what's going on!

[dog howls]

(Describer) With a rope chain toy:

[laughing] [squeals]

Hey, A.B.! Look what I found in my room! I love this toy! Oh, I thought it was gone forever. Hey, do you want to play with me?

[Alphabott squeals]

Okay, okay, but we have to play with it the way I play with all my toys.

[Alphabott squeals] Yeah, you're gonna love it.

It's like tug of war. You hold this end here and I hold this end, and we both just pull and pull and pull! Hey, you two, playing tug of war? Mm-hmm. Okay, well, Dusty, because you are so strong, why don't I be on Alphabott's team? Ho ho! No problem! I can take you both! I'm the strongest dog ever, so it's fine! Okay! One. Two. Three!

[all grunting]

(Describer) The rope chain breaks.

Oh, no! We're so sorry, Dusty, we broke your toy!

[Alphabott squeals] Oh, no!

That was my favorite toy. I should have never played with it! I should have left it in its original box. Woe is me. Woe. This is technically 77% your fault. Yes, I guess that's true, Dusty. But it was an accident, right? Probably. Okay, definitely. It was definitely an accident. And we're definitely sorry about it, right, A.B.?

[squeals]

Aw, well, that's nice. And, haha, I did have a lot of fun. And I actually have a bunch of other toys-- like so many! Maybe we could just play a different game with one of those other toys? Hey, don't worry about it, ya know? Toys break all the time. And I was really tugging on that thing! I mean, I think I won, by the way. Dusty, I'm very proud of you. For what? Because, you just showed a lot of forgiveness. You let go of any angry feelings you had over your toy breaking, and really accepted that accidents happen. Ha! Yeah, and on the grand scale of things, my broken dog toy isn't really that important, I guess. What is important is... who will win the next round of tug of war? Ha ha! I'll go get another toy! You are a good sport! Aw, thanks. Hey, I got a squirrel toy that you're gonna love...

[upbeat music]

(Describer) A title:

(both) "Squat with Dott!" Get ready to "Squat with Dott!" What are we starting with? First, we're going to jog! Ooh, I was worried you'd say that! Okay, here we go!

(Describer) They jog in place.

Keep going, almost there! Done! Whoo!

[laughs] Yo, Alphabott, we did it!

Now, let's hop. Let me see you hop, Dusty! Ooh, I'm hopping. I like this! Hm-hm-hm! Now let's pretend there's a big log next to you! Hm? Ahh! Where did this log come from! Doesn't matter! The magic log just arrived out of a bunch of fog and we have to jump over it, like this. Okay, jump over the log from the fog, got it! Hyah! Okay. Hey, Dott, I've got one. Let's move slowly like a big ol' blob. Ooh, slow blob! Okay, blob around! Good, I can finally get some rest! Now, trot like a horse! Oop, spoke too soon! Neigh!

[clucking]

Eat your heart out, Seabiscuit! And Dott's Little Helper is roundin' the bend. He could take the championship. And finish!

[exhales] You did it!

Neigh! Good workout, Dott. Opulent, really.

(Describer) They touch their water bottles together, then Dusty takes a bubble bath.

[soft music]

[humming]

Oh, hi, welcome to bathtime! Look at all these bubbles! Ha ha! Are you ready to pop some bubbles? Ha! Let's go!

(Dott) Oc, to, pus. Octopus. Gotcha! Oc, to, ber. October. Ooh! Opp, o, site. Opposite. Op, er, a, tion. Operation. Oc, cu, pa, tion. Occupation.

[drain glugging]

Gotta get dry. Gyaaah! Ooh, did I get you wet?

Oh, sorry! [chuckles]

(Describer) In the Reading Room:

Oh, would you look at that? We got another letter from your friend Otto. Oh, I can't wait to hear about his adventure! Hey, let's listen for the "aw" sounds in Otto's letter! All right!

[piano chord]

(Dott) "Dear Dusty, "Otto here! "The other day, I was eating an orange "when a mysterious box showed up on my lawn. "The second I got it inside, "an ox hopped out! "It was a lot. "It shot across my kitchen floor "and wouldn't stop making a mess. "Long story short, "I dropped everything and offered it some popcorn "which really hit the spot. "I mopped up the mess and returned the ox. "Next day, I got a box with a fox! "How odd! Otto."

[piano chord]

What was your favorite part, Dott? Hm. I think liked "box with a fox." What about you? I liked that too! Box with a Fox! That's my band's name. J.K. I don't have a band. Huuuh! We should start a band! One thing at a time, Dusty. Oh, yeah. Little by little. Letter by letter.

(both) ♪ 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) They wave, and Alphabott hides from credits.

Accessibility provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

(Describer) Created, Written, Directed, and Produced by Brendan Malafronte and Andrea Dotto.

[theme music]

♪

(Describer) Produced by The Reading League, Incorporated. President and CEO, Maria S. Murray, Ph.D. VP of Marketing and Development, Toni Ann Walsh. Curriculum Supervisor, Kelli Johnson, Kristin Spaulding, and Katie Sojewicz.

[Alphabott humming along]

(Describer) Senior Director of Production Douglas Moreau. Production Sound Mixer David J. White.

♪

(Describer) Cast: Brendan Malafronte, Andrea Dotto, Eryn Malafronte.

(Describer) More credits appear. Copyright 2021 The Reading League, All Rights Reserved. The characters of Dusty and Dott have been licensed for use in this program. The Reading League and Reading Buddies are trademarks of the Reading League.

(Describer) Accessibility provided by the U.S. Department of Education.