(Describer) A butterfly lands on a mailbox. In the Reading Room, Dott and Dusty sit together.

[soft intro music]

(children) Hi! You're here! You made it! You're the first to arrive! I'm Dott, like the polka dot, and this is my dog, Dusty. Like the dust! Hey, Dott, what badge am I going to get today? Today's Alpha Badge is called... Wait, wait--ooh!

(Describer) Dott bumps Dusty.

[children laughing]

The "O" vowel badge. Oh, yes! Oooo-bviously! Ooh!

[horn beeps]

The Alphaboteers are here! Let's go outside and say hello!

[upbeat music]

(Describer) A diverse group of kids rush into the yard. They grin and wear backpacks.

(all) ♪ We use our eyes ♪

(Describer) They dance.

♪ We use each ear ♪

♪ The letters show ♪

♪ The sounds we hear ♪

(Describer) They lean as they cup one ear.

♪ Reading together will help us grow ♪

♪ These badges show you all we know ♪

♪ We get a new one every time ♪

♪ And with your help, we'll take that climb ♪

♪ Let's go! On a letter adventure ♪

♪ Let's go, learning's better together! ♪

♪ We're the Alphaboteers! ♪

(Describer) They all pose.

[children laughing]

All right, everybody. Drop your backpacks off inside. We'll be right in. You heard her! Backpacks inside! We've got a lot of work to do today. Uh, Dust? Hm? That means you too.

Uh... ha ha! [children laughing]

All right, come on, feet!

(Describer) To us.

And you. Come on.

(Describer) In the garden, two colorful puppets rest.

[fun, upbeat music]

Wee wee weee. Hello, Reading Buddies! My name is Marty, the garden gnome, and this is Mary. Mary? Ah! Say hello, Mary. "Hello, Mary." We're here to give you...

[both, with children] The fancy schmancy word of the day!

We're going to give you a fancy word and tell you what it means. Drumroll, please.

[vocalizing] Today's word is...

obvious! I don't think it's that obvious, Marty. You haven't given the word yet. It's obvious that "obvious" is the word! Obvious means "easily seen." Let's try to say it together. "Obvious" on three! One, two, three!

[both, with children] Obvious!

Someone's coming, Reading Buddies! See you later, alligator. In a while, crocodile. Freeze!

(Describer) Jampa pops up in the window and snaps a picture of the frozen gnomes.

Pop!

[jangly music]

(Describer) In the Reading Room.

[Alphabott whirring, squealing]

(Dott) You know what that means! It's time for Alphabott's sound of the day! What's the new sound, A.B.?

[computerized voice] Ah, ah, ah, ah.

Ah, ah, ah. Ooh, now that is a fun sound, A.B. "Ah" like octopus. Today, you're helping Dusty earn the "O" vowel badge.

(children) Ooooh! [magic tinkling]

I really want that badge! Let's explore the sound that O makes first.

[whirring]

(Dott) When we make the "aw" sound, our mouth is open wide, and the jaw is pretty low. When you make any vowel sound, your voice box is on. And vowel are, um... what I use when I get out of the bath. Those are towels, Dusty. A vowel is a sound you make when your mouth is open, and your lips, teeth, or tongue don't hold them back. Woof! Those vowels are busy and buzzy sounds! Yes, they are! Hey, thanks for giving us a new sound, A.B.

[squeals]

(Describer) Alphabott leaves.

I'm going to get that O vowel badge! Oh, I'm sure you will! With your help. Keep listening for that "aw" sound today. Ha ha! Ooh, all that hearing made me hungry. Me-thinks it's time to raid the refrigerator. You can have treats after you clean your doghouse, Dust. Oh, I did that hours ago!

(Describer) To us.

I didn't! I was sleeping hours ago, dreaming of smelly socks, which is exactly what my room smells like. Oh! Will you help me clean up my doghouse?

(child) Yeah! Hot dog! Race you there! Ready, set, go!

[panting] [funky beat]

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

Hmmm? Oooh!

(singer) ♪ Dog, dog, doggy dog ♪

♪ Doggy dog dog doghouse ♪

Okay, you win! Woof! Welcome to the Octagon, also known as my dirty room.

[sniffs]

Honestly, be glad you can't smell this place. Let's sort out this pile of junk! Today, we're going to set aside the things with the "aw" sound somewhere in their name. Remember, "aw aw aw" as in octopus!

(junk pile) Dusty, we meet again. Hasta la vista, junk! Dive, dive, dive!

(Describer) Dusty leaps into the pile.

[grunting]

Mooo! Ox! Ox! Does ox have the "aw" sound? Yes! Ox has the "aw" sound in the beginning! Hey, ox, can I "ox" you a question?

Ha ha ha! Oh. [bellowing]

(Describer) The Ox leaps over Dusty.

I guess they don't like jokes. Back to the pile! Hyah, hyaah!

[grunts] [chuckles]

Moustache! Moustache! Does moustache have the "aw" sound? Hmmm! Nope! Hey, moustache, I "moustache" you a question!

(Describer) It leaves.

Everyone's a critic. Almost done! Hyah!

(Describer) Dusty jumps into the pile.

[grunting]

Ho ho! Cheese! Cheese! Does cheese have the "aw" sound? Nn-nnh! No way! I don't even remember buying that cheese!

[chuckles] Hyah, whooo!

(Describer) Dusty in the pile.

[panting]

Rock! Ruh, aw, kuh! Does rock have the "aw" sound?

[laughs] Yes!

In the middle! You rock, rock! Hmmm!

(Describer) The rock sits on his dresser.

[grunting]

[gnawing]

(Describer) Dusty pulls out another item.

[grunts] Whoa!

[splashing]

Mop! Mm, aw, puh! Does mop have the "aw" sound? Hmmmm! Yeah, in the middle.

♪ With the power of the mop ♪

we banish you, junk!

(junk pile) Noooo!

(Describer) The junk pile quivers and sinks down out of sight.

See you tomorrow, Dusty. See you tomorrow, junk. Now I'm really hungry!

[sniffs] Mmmm!

I smell something yummy in the reading room! Let's go!

[dog howls]

(Describer) In the Reading Room, Maya sits with a cup of dog treats.

Hey, Dusty, do you know what time it is? I have no idea. "Grumble, grumble, grumble." But my belly sure does.

(both) It's snack time! I'm teaching Dusty some new tricks. Do you want to help? Great! Here we go, Dusty. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. Say "spacecraft." Spacecraft. Say it again, but don't say "space." Craft! Yes!

[munching]

Say "background." Background. Say it again, but don't say "ground." Back! Nice. Say "playpen." Playpen. Say it again, but don't say "play." Pen! Nice. Say "marble." Marble. Say it again, but don't say "ble." Mar! Great! Say "index." Index. Say it again, but don't say "dex." In! Good boy! You're on a roll! Mm, mm-hmm! This is me on a roll. Help, I'm on a roll! Oh, I'm too delicious! I'm a sandwich! Ooooh! You're a weird dog, Dusty. Oh, I know.

[both laughing]

(Describer) In the garden, a butterfly flutters around the gnomes.

[funky music]

Oh, hi, Reading Buddies. Mary, say hi to the Reading Buddies. Oh, Marty, that's not a Reading Buddy. That's a butterfly. Isn't that "obvious"? Yes, it is, Mary. Now say hello to the Reading Buddies. Where are they, Marty? Isn't it "obvious"? They're right in front of you. Over here, Marty?

(children) No! Oh, forget it! Oh, hey, the Reading Buddies are here! Marty, don't be rude! Say hello!

[goofy music]

(Describer) Marty slowly shakes his head.

[Marty sighs]

(Describer) Alphabott outside in the yard. Dusty looks out the window.

[Alphabott humming, beeping] Oh! I see Alphabott's in art mode! Hey, Dott! Let's see what they're up to!

(Describer) A boy paints on Alphabott's screen.

Every day's a great day when you're drawing! Right, Alphabott?

[squeals]

Hi, A.B. Hi, Ziggy. What are you drawing today? I was inspired by the beautiful full moon last night! See here? We already drew some happy little stars. Groovy! Can we help you draw the happy little moon? I was hoping you would!

(Describer) To us.

Can you help finish this moon?

(children) Yes! Great! Let's take our markers close to the top where our moon will be. From there, we'll go in a counterclockwise circle.

(Dusty) Like a kitchen counter. Mmm! Is it lunchtime yet? No, Dusty! "Counter" means opposite direction. So if the hands of a clock move this way,

(Describer) To the right.

then the opposite direction is to the left. That's why we call this "counterclockwise." See here, Dust? Oh!

(Describer) Dott draws a large circle in the middle.

And we're done!

[soft music playing] [squealing]

What a masterpiece! My favorite one yet. You say that about all your paintings! I mean it every time. I have to rinse out my brushes. See you later, painter!

(Describer) Ziggy runs off.

That happy moon made me think of the symbol that makes the "ah" sound. It's called the letter "O." Oh, oh, oh! My new Alpha badge! That's right, Dusty. Let's look a little closer at the letter O. Alphabott, switch into learning mode, please.

[humming, whirring]

(Describer) Alphabott shakes and slides in their arms.

[upbeat music]

[buzzing, whirring]

(Describer) Their head spins.

All right, Reading Buddies! Time to take out your magic paintbrush. Now, I know I put mine around here somewhere. Oh! Ha ha! I remember now.

(Describer) Dott lifts Dusty's ear and pulls out an imaginary paintbrush.

Ooop! [children laughing]

Now that's a good hiding place! Follow along with Dott to create the letter O!

(Describer) In the air.

Let's start slightly to the right of the top. We'll move counterclockwise. Looking familiar to anyone?

Nn-nnh, not at all-- [gasps]

Hey, wait a minute! It looks like the moon we drew. Right! Except this moon makes the "ah" sound.

Can you hear it? [slide whistle]

(Describer) Alphabott.

O, octopus, ah.

[gasps] Did you hear that?

(children) Yes! Well, that's a magic paintbrush for you! Let's put those things away before we bring a broom to life or something. Good idea. Want to go inside

(Describer) To us.

and play with the "ah" sound a bit more? Ha ha ha! Okay! Meet you in the reading room!

(Describer) Dott and Dusty head inside.

[soft music]

(Describer) On Alphabott's screen, animated paper letters spell "Alpha Shorts".

[Alphabott booping, beeping]

(Describer) A red letter O moves in circles on the screen.

O, octopus, ah. O, octopus, ah. O, octopus, ah.

(Describer) A green octopus reaches up and takes the letter O.

[game show theme playing]

(Describer) On the screen, two blocks break apart with the words "Where is it?" Dott wears a red jacket and eyeglasses and Dusty wears a name tag.

[children cheering]

Welcome back to...

[speaking with children] "Where Is It?"

The game show where you have to listen for a sound in a word. You all know the reigning champion, Dusty. Hi, Aunty Kim! I'm on TV. Today, you're listening for the "ah" sounds in some words. The "ah" sound will be in the first, second, or even a third square.

(children) Ooooh! Here we go. The first word is "on." Hm... on? Ah, nn. Which square has the "ah" sound in "ah, nn"?

(child) First square! I'll choose the first square, Dott.

(Describer) She taps it.

[beeps] Oh, yeah!

Here's a surprise round! (child) Oooh! Let's try a word with three sounds, so we will need three squares. Your next word is: "mop." Mop! mm, ah, puh. Which square has the "ah" sound in mm, ah, puh?

(child) Second square! Yeah! We'll go with the second square!

(Describer) Dott taps it.

[dings]

Bravo! The last word is: "mom." Mom! Mm, ah, mm. Which square has the "ah" sound in mm, ah, mm?

(child) Second square! Yeah, the second square, Dott!

(Describer) Dott taps it.

[dings]

Wow! Way to go! You won!

[laughs]

Oh, oh! I'd like to thank my Reading Buddies, and, of course, the "ah" sound! Join us next time where we'll find a whole new sound!

[Alphabott whimpers]

Uh-oh. Alphabott's battery is running out of juice. Hey, Dusty, could you take her to Reggie for a quick charge? Oh, sure! Reggie's great with repairs. Will you come with me? We could use your help.

(children) Yes! Oh, great! Let's do it!

(Describer) Outside.

Hey, Reggie! Hey, you two! Hey, Reading Buddies. Oh, you working on the happy camper? How's the carburetor? All good? Sweet Dusty! You have no idea what you're talking about. No idea at all.

[Alphabott squeals]

Sorry, Alphabott. Dusty, let's take a look under the hood.

(Describer) Reggie puts on goggles. He takes off an instrument panel and hands it to Dusty.

[beeping, hissing]

Wowee zowee! Her battery's drained. Hey, will you help us charge Alphabott's batteries?

(children) Yes! We can do it! Okay, for every sound we hear in a word, we have to press a button. After a few rounds, Alphabott will be fully charged. Let's get to work!

(Describer) A battery and four buttons appear.

[gears beeping, humming]

(Dusty) Stop. The word is "stop." How many sounds do you hear in: ss, tt, ah, puh?

(child) Four!

(Dusty) Four? Ss, tt, ah, puh. Stop!

[Alphabott whirring up]

(Reggie) Great job, Buddies!

[Alphabott happily beeps]

(Describer) One of four bars on the battery turn green.

(Dusty) Not. The word is "not." How many sounds are in: nn, ah, tt?

(children) Three!

(Dusty) Three! Nn, ah, tt.

[happy whirring] (Reggie) Holy smokes!

(Describer) Two of the four bars are green.

[happy beeping]

(Dusty) Otter. The word is: "otter." How many sounds are in otter?

(children) Two! Two? Let's try!

[Alphabott buzzes sadly] Eeeehh!

Hmm, let's try again. Ah, tt, rr.

(children) Three!

(Dusty) What did you say? Three! Three? Let's try. Ah, tt, rr.

Otter! [happy whirring]

(Reggie) Phew! That was a tricky one.

[happy buzzing]

(Describer) One more bar to go.

(Dusty) Olive. Mmm, now I'm hungry! The word is "olive." How many sounds are in the word: ah, ll, ih, vv?

(child) Four! Four? Let's see. Ah, ll, ih, vv.

[happy buzzing] Olive!

(Describer) The battery is green.

(Reggie) She's fully charged!

[music and cheering]

Great work, Reading Buddies. That'll be ten cents, Dusty. Ten cents towards the "Get Reggie to Space Camp" fund! Here you go. Thanks, Reggie. Ah, thanks, Dust.

(Describer) Reggie adds the dime to his rocket ship piggy bank. In the Reading Room, Alphabott joins Dott at the desk.

[happy buzzing]

[Alphabott buzzing happily]

Great to have you back, A.B.

[squeals]

That is a great idea, A.B.! Alphabott wants to transform some words that have the "ah" sound in them! Oh, boy, I'm so close to earning that O badge, I can taste it! It's delicious! Dusty? Promise me you won't eat your O badge. Are we going to transform some words or not? Okay, okay! Let's read what we have here.

(Describer) Letter magnets.

Ah,

(Describer) Dott puts O and P together.

puh. What sound is in the beginning of "ah, puh"?

[gasps] My new sound!

"Ah," as in octopus. Very good! Okay, let's add a sound to the beginning to make the word "pop." How would we do that?

[gasps] Add a "puh."

Yes! Yeah, yeah.

(Describer) Dott adds the letter P.

Puh, ah, puh. "Pop!" Now, transform "pop" into "mop."

(Dusty) Mm, ah, puh. We have to change the first sound to "mmm"!

(Describer) Letter M.

(Dott) Mm, ah, puh.

(Dusty) Mop! Very good! Now, transform "mop" into "mom." Mmm, ah, mmm. The last sound has to be transformed, Dott! Can you put another "mm" in there? Let's see!

(Describer) Letter M.

Mm, ah, mm. Mom! Very good, Dusty! You transformed all of those words by changing just one sound. Whoa! My brain is full! Can we go outside? Great idea. We can get some fresh air while we exercise.

[chuckles] You want to come outside with us?

(child) Yeah! Great! Let's get to it.

[upbeat music] Thanks, A.B.

[squeals]

(Describer) In the yard, Kitt and Cosmo warm up with Dott. Dusty pops up behind the fence.

[upbeat music continues]

[muffled speech] Bleh!

(Describer) Dusty spits out his ball.

Are you ready to "Squat with Dott"? Dusty likes to keep us company when we get our steps in. Hey, do you want to stand up and join us?

(both) Yeah, let's do it! Great! What's up first, Dott? Let's start by nodding our heads--here we go! Nod your head. Nod your head. Nod your head. Now stop! Nice! How about this, Dott? I call it the "drop and pop"! Oooh! That's fun. Let's join! Drop down, pop up! Drop, and pop! Drop, and pop! And stop. Hey, Cosmo, you got any moves? Try this.

(Describer) He scoops his arms side to side.

Ooh! What do you call that? I call it... the mop bop! The mop bop! Let me try. The mop bop! That's nice! The mop bop! The mop bop! Now stop. Whoo hoo! You're doing great! Dust, where did you get those? I have no idea! Whoo!

(Describer) Dusty tosses his pom-poms.

[children laughing]

Let's all pretend we have pom-pons in our hands. We'll wave them high and then low. Here we go! High, now low. High, now low. High, now low. And stop! Good workout, folks. Optimal, really.

[upbeat music continues]

(Describer) They all grin. Later, Dusty scrubs in the bathtub.

[Dusty humming]

Ha ha, that workout made me sweat. Whoa! Look at all the bubbles. Let's get poppin'! Ha ha!

(Describer) Two large bubbles float up.

(Dott) Hot, rod. Bye bye, bubbles. Hot rod.

(Describer) Dusty swats them away. Three more bubbles.

mm, ah, mm. Mom.

(Describer) Three more appear.

Puh, ah, puh. Pop.

(Describer) Dusty swats them away.

Dott, I'm ready to come out! I'll unplug the drain!

[descending whistle] Hm.

Whoa!

(Describer) Dusty swirls away! In the yard.

[banjo music]

Hi, Jampa. Hi, Dusty. Whoa, is that a new picture for your scrapbook? Yeah. Hey, what's that a picture of?

Octopus. [gasps]

An octopus! Oh, I love that! Hey, does an octopus fly? No, Dusty! No, no. How does it move, then? It has tentacles. Tentacles? Tentacles are kind of like arms. Hey, Jampa, I have another question about an octopus. Okay, go ahead. How many legs does an octopus have? Eight! Eight! So, there's eight tentacles. Yeah. You're right! It does. Eight legs. Thanks for sharing your scrapbook with me. Bye, Dusty. Bye, Jampa!

(Describer) Outside with Dott, Dusty, Reggie, Ziggy, and Maya.

[banjo music continues]

Okay, here we go! One-word story. Everybody ready?

(all) Ready! Once Upon A Time There was a dog named Dusty! And Dusty was so amazing that everyone wanted to throw a party for him! Um, at... the party everyone... Everyone started to say, "We love Dusty! We love Dusty! We love Dusty!" Even Puddle had a party hat on-- Dusty? Dust? Huh? This game is called "one-word story." You only say one word at a time. We're building the story by working together. Uh, but, Dott? I just have so many ideas! I know you do, Dusty. And they're really cool, but this isn't just your game. You never know what cool ideas someone else might have to add to the story.

[sighs] All right.

I'll try. Let's start again. Is it okay to take it from "Puddles' party hat"? Sure, let's do that. Suddenly Puddles' hat blew away into--! Uh... away. It landed on Neptune. Whoa! Neptune? Whoa, cool idea, Ziggy! I never would have thought of that. The magic of working together! Five brains are better than one. Let's keep going! Hmmm! Okay. Slimy aliens ate a shoe.

[both laugh] A shoe!

[laughs] Hey, I eat shoes.

(Describer) In the garden, butterflies sing for the gnomes.

[both singing] ♪ Obvious, obvious ♪

♪ Obvious, obvious ♪

♪ Obvious! ♪

Obvious! Easily seen. I liked it! That's our time, Reading Buddies! Say goodbye, Mary. "Goodbye, Mary!" Goodbye, Jumpa!

[banjo playing]

(Describer) The gnomes freeze. Jampa appears.

Bye, gnomes.

(Describer) In the yard.

(Dott) And you, Dusty. I award you with your new vowel Alpha Badge!

[fanfare] The O Badge!

Wear it with pride. Hey, A.B.! Look what I got!

(Describer) The badge is pinned to his vest.

Little by little.

(all) Letter by letter!

[bus horn honks]

Time to go home. Give your vest to A.B. I'll see you tomorrow. I'm very proud of you.

(Describer) The kids hang their yellow vests on Alphabott's arms. They give hugs and high fives to Dott.

[upbeat music]

(all) ♪ Reading Buddies ♪

♪ You did great work today! ♪

♪ Reading Buddies ♪

♪ I really wish you could stay ♪

♪ 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) Everyone waves.

(all) Goodbye! See you soon! Accessibility provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

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

[upbeat music]

♪