[soft intro music]

(Describer) A butterfly lands on a mailbox. In the Reading Room, Dott plays with Dusty.

(children) Hi! Oh! 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 Alphabadge is called...

Oooh! [children laughing]

(Describer) Dott bumps Dusty.

The "k Consonant Badge." Cool! Eeew.

[horn toots]

The Alphabotteers 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 Alphabotteers! ♪

[children laughing]

(Describer) They all pose.

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. Ah, Dust? Hm? That means you too. Ah! Heh heh! Right. All right, come on, feet!

(Describer) To us.

And you. Come on.

[upbeat music]

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

Hello, Reading Buddies! My name is Marty, the garden gnome. And this is Mary. Say "hello," Mary. "Hello, Mary." We're here to give you...

[together, 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. Yabba, dabba, yabba... Today's word is... "kerfuffle." Kerfuffle? Hahahaha! Boy, what a funny-sounding word! It is! But let's stay focused. It's your turn to tell them what a kerfuffle is.

[laughs] Kerfuffle!

Kerfuffle means: "unnecessary excitement or activity." It can also mean "making a fuss," like when you don't want to share your toys. Let's say it together! "Kerfuffle" on three-- one, two, three!

(all) Kerfuffle! Hahaha! Hoo! That word's hilarious. Mary, we have to go and-- Kefuffle! Kerfuffle! Hahaha! Oh, you're making such a kerfuffle over the word kerfuffle! Then stop picking such funny-sounding words, Marty! Gaaahhh! Hoooo! This kerfuffle could last a while. Kerfuffle! Hahahahah! Oh, our friend Jampa's coming! See you later, alligator! In a while, crocodile!

(voice) Freeze!

[banjo strumming]

(Describer) In the window, Jampa spies the frozen gnomes through a magnifying glass.

[Alphabott squealing]

(Describer) In the Reading Room.

You know what that means-- it's time for Alphabott's sound of the day! What's the new sound, A.B.? "Kuh, kuh, kuh. Kuh, kuh, kuh." Now, that's a fun sound, A.B. "Kuh" like kite. Today, you're going to help Dusty earn the "k Consonant Badge!"

(children) Oooh! I've always wanted that one! "k" represents the "kuh" sound. Alphabott, can you show us what our mouth does when we make the "kuh" sound?

[whirring]

When we make the "kuh" sound, the back of the tongue quickly rises up to touch the back of the roof of our mouth, blocking the air for a bit before the tongue comes back down and lets it out. "Kuh." That's an unvoiced consonant. That's right. "Kuh" is an unvoiced consonant. The sound gets blocked by the tongue so the air doesn't move freely. Hmm! Thanks for giving us the sound of the day, Alphabott!

[squeals, whirs]

(Describer) Alphabott leaves.

I'm gonna get that "k Consonant Badge!" Oh, I'm sure you will! With your help, of course. Be sure to listen for that "kuh" sound today. Phew! All that hearing made me hungry! Let me just slither on over to the trashcan. Not so fast, Dust! You can have some treats after you've cleaned your doghouse, though. You did clean your room, didn't you? Hahahah! It's me, honest ol' Dusty the Dog! Of course I did...

(Describer) To us.

not clean my room! I forgot! Will you help me clean up all that junk?

(children) Yes! Hot dog! Race you there! Ready, set, go!

[panting] [funky music playing]

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

Hmm? Goh!

♪ Dog dog, doggy dog ♪

♪ Doggy dog dog doghouse ♪

[gasps] Oh, you beat me!

Welcome to the Dog Cave! The really dirty Dog Cave! Hey, let's sort this pile of junk! Today, let's set aside the things with the "kuh" sound somewhere in their name. Remember, "kuh, kuh, kuh."

(junk pile) You cannot defeat me, Reading Buddies! Ho ho ho! Oh, yes, we can! Dive, dive, dive!

[grunting]

(Describer) Dusty leaps into the pile.

[growling]

Whoa! [squirting]

Ketchup! Ketchup. Does "ketchup" have the "kuh" sound?

(children) Yes! Haha, yes! It's the first sound-- kuh-tchup! I love ketchup,

especially with my dog food. [squirting]

Here we go!

(Describer) Dusty jumps into the pile.

[grunting]

[whistles]

Shoe! Shoe... Does "shoe" have the "kuh" sound? Mm, ha! Nn-nnh. Shoo, shoe! Get outta here! One more should do it!

(Describer) Dusty pulls another item from the pile.

[grunting]

[pages rustle]

Book! "Buh, ooh, kuh." Does "book" have the "kuh" sound?

(child) Yeah! Yes! It's the last sound!

(junk pile) Nooooo!

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

See ya tomorrow, Dusty. See ya tomorrow, Junk! Whoa! Now I'm really hungry.

[sniffing]

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

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

[dog howls]

Hey, Dusty, do you know what time it is? I would if I had a watch! Hint, hint, birthday-gift idea!

(both) It's "Snack Time!" I'm teaching Dusty some new tricks.

Do you want to help? (children) Yes. Great! Here we go, Dusty. Easy peasy, lemon squeazy.

[metronome ticking]

Say "waterfall." Waterfall. Say it again, but don't say "fall." Water! Yup. Say "September." September. Say it again, but don't say "Sep." Tember! Yes! Say "important." Important. Say it again, but don't say "imp." Portant! Good boy.

[munching]

Wowwee wow wow wow! Sometimes I amaze even myself!

[applause, cheering]

(Describer) In the garden, a red plant grows.

It's a vegetable! I'm sure of it! You don't eat it like an apple. It's a fruit, Marty! Mm, there's no doubt in my mind it's a vegetable. You put it on salad! You don't have to cause such a kerfuffle, Marty. It's just a tomato! Which is a fruit! Says who? Me, and this dictionary.

A dictionary? [children "ooh!"]

Yep. "A fruit has at least one seed and grows from the flower of the plant." Gee, Marty, I can't remember. Do tomatoes grow from a flower? Uh, yes. A little yellow one.

[child laughs]

Does a tomato have at least one seed? It has lots of seeds. So, a tomato is... Ahem. A fruit. I didn't hear you, Marty. What'd you say? A tomato is a fruit! I guess it is, isn't it? Well, that's funny. I guess if you'd listen to me in the first place, you wouldn't have caused such a big kerfuffle! Nope, I guess I wouldn't have. Gee. Being right really is fun, huh, Marty? I wouldn't know, Mary. I wouldn't know.

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

[whirring, beeping]

Oh! I see Alphabott's in art mode! Hey, Dott, let's see what they're up to!

[French music playing]

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

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

[positive squealing]

Hi, A.B. Hi, Ziggy. What are you drawing today? A memory! See here? It's the kite I made with my gram. Whoa! Can we help you finish it? I was hoping you would.

(Describer) To us.

Can you help finish this kite?

(child) Okay! Great! Now, follow along. We start with a long, vertical line straight down.

(Describer) Dott draws a pole in the center of the diamond shaped kite.

Then a diagonal in, to touch the line, and another diagonal out. And we're done! I remember it like it was yesterday. My favorite one yet! What? 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 leaves.

That kite made me think of the symbol that makes the "kuh" sound. It's called the letter "k." Hubba, what? The letter "k"? My future Alphabadge! Oh, that's right, Dusty! Let's look a little closer at that letter "k." Alphabott, switch into learning mode, please.

[whirring]

(Describer) Alphabott shakes and slides in their arms.

[upbeat music]

(Describer) Their head spins.

[whistles]

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

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

Beeoop! Now, that's a good hiding place! Follow along with Dott to create the letter "k." Let's start at the top line with a long line down, lift, and add a diagonal line down and to the left to touch our vertical line. From there, let's add a diagonal line down and to the right. Looking familiar to anyone? Nnn--ah! Wait a minute! It looks like the kite we drew. Right. Except this kite makes the "kuh" sound.

(Describer) Alphabott.

"K, kite, kuh."

(Describer) To us.

Did you hear that?

[laughs]

Well, that's a magic paintbrush for you! Let's put those things away before we... bring those gnomes to life! Hahahah! Could you imagine?

[both laughing]

Want to go inside and play with this "kuh" sound a bit more?

(children) Yes! Okay! Meet you in the reading room!

Hahah! [squealing]

(Describer) Dott and Dusty head inside.

[funky music]

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

(Describer) A blue letter K bounces across under a flying kite.

(Dott) K, kite, kuh. K, kite, kuh. K, kite, kuh.

(Describer) The kite flies away.

(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.

[game-show music playing]

[children cheering]

♪

Welcome back to...

(all) "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, cousin Elvis! I'm on TV! Today, you're listening for the "kuh" sound. It will be in the first, second, or even a third square. Here we go. The first word is: "poke." Poke. Puh, oh, kuh. Which square has the "kuh" sound? Puh, oh, kuh. Okay! We'll choose the last square, Dott.

[dinging]

(Describer) She taps it.

Excellent work! Your next word is: "cheek." Cheek. Ch, ee, kuh. Which square has the "kuh" sound? Ch, ee, kuh.

(child) Third square! Okay! We'll take the third square, Dott.

[dinging] [applause]

(Describer) Dott taps it.

That is correct! The last word is: "okay." Okay. Oh, kuh, ay. Which square has the "kuh" sound? Oh, kuh, ay.

(child) Second square. Are you sure? Okay! This one's for all the potatoes! The second square, Dott!

[dinging]

(Describer) Dott taps it.

Way to go! You won! Ho ho ho! Oh oh! I'd like to thank my Reading Buddies, and, of course, the "kuh" sound! Join us next time where we'll find a whole new sound!

[sad wheezing]

Uh-oh. [squeals]

Alphabott's battery's 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! Oh, great! Let's do it! Reggie, we're here!

(Describer) Outside.

Hey, you two!

(children) Hi! Hey, Reading Buddies! Oh, were you working on the Happy Camper's, um... bibbidy, bop, uh, doohicky thing? Now you're just making up words! Hahah! It's what I do best!

[squeals]

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

[whirring, steam hissing]

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

[beeping] (children) Ahhh!

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

(all) 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.

[beeping, whirring]

(Dusty) Kilt. The word is "kilt." How many sounds do you hear in: kuh, ih, ll, tt?

(all) Four! Four? Kuh, ih, ll, tt. Kilt!

[whirring]

(Reggie) Great job, Buddies!

[beeping]

(Dusty) Skid. The word is "skid." How many sounds are in: ss, kuh, ih, duh?

(all) Four!

(Dusty) Four! Ss, kuh, ih, duh. Skid!

[whirring, beeping]

(Describer) Two of the four bars on the battery are green.

Keep. The word is "keep." How many sounds are in: kuh, ee, puh?

(child) Three!

(Dusty) Three! Kuh, ee, puh. Keep!

[whirring, beeping]

(Describer) One more bar to go.

Silk. Mmm! The word is "silk." How many sounds are in the word: ss, ih, ll, kuh?

(child) Four!

(Dusty) Four? Let's see. Ss, ih, ll, kuh. Silk!

[whirring, beeping]

(Describer) The battery turns green.

[fanfare, upbeat music]

(Reggie) She's fully charged!

[children cheering]

Great work, Reading Buddies. That'll be ten cents, Dusty. Ten cents towards the "Get Reggie to Space Camp" fund!

[happy squealing]

Thanks, Reggie. Aw, thanks, Dust.

[chuckles]

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

[coin rattles]

[Alphabott whirring]

Great to have you back, A.B.

[curious squealing]

Okay, Alphabott. Alphabott wants to transform some words that have the "kuh" sound in them, using today's spelling of "kuh"-- the letter "k." Oh, boy! I'm so close to earning that "k" Alphabadge, I can taste it. Mm. Dusty? Dust, promise me you won't eat your k badge. Huh? Oh, sorry, I was daydreaming about eating... uh, something that's not my k badge! Oh! Okay, okay. Let's transform this word. ih, tt.

(Describer) Letter magnet I.

(Describer) T.

"It." What sound is in the beginning of "it"? Ih, tt. Ih, tt. "Ih," as in itch! Very good! Let's leave "it," and let's add a sound to the beginning. How can we transform "it" into "kit"?

(Dusty) Kuh, ih, tt. Kuh, ih, tt. Kuh, kuh, kuh! There's that "kuh" we're learning about! We have to add a "kuh," and I bet it's a "k." Yes, it is!

(Describer) Dott adds K.

Now, let's be a little fancy and add another sound to the beginning to transform "kit" into "skit." Okay. Ss, kuh, ih, tt. Ss, kuh, ih, tt. Ss, ss! I hear that "ss." So we have to add an "s." Very good, Dusty. Let's transform "skit" into a new word. What sound would I need to turn "skit" into "skip"? Oh, "skit" to "skip." Ss, kuh, ih, tt. Ss, kuh, ih, puh.

[gasps] Puh, puh.

The "tt" changed to "puh!" Is that right, Dott? Let's see!

(Describer) Dott replaces the T with a P.

Very good, Dust! Yes! I changed the "tt" to a "puh," and changing that made a whole new word-- "skip!" You transformed all of those words. Ooh, ooh, my brain is full! Can we go outside? Okay, Dusty. Let's get some fresh air while we exercise. You want to come outside with us?

(children) Yes! Great! Let's get to it.

[chuckles] Thanks, A.B.

[squeals]

(Describer) In the yard, Kitt and Cosmo warm up with Dott.

[upbeat music]

Are you ready to "Squat with Dott"? Time to get to work! Stand up, join us! Can I do the first move, Dott? Absollutely! I learned this at karate. It's a kick! Whoo! I like that. Let's all kick like Kitt. Come on! We kick like Kitt!

(Describer) They kick to the side with their fists held up.

Uh-huh. Kick like Kitt. One more time-- kick like Kitt. And stop! Wait, you can do block too!

(Describer) Kitt kicks, then bends her arm up.

Oh, wow, I gotta try that! We're gonna kick and then block. Here we go. Kick and block. Kick and block. Kick and block. Now stop. Hyah! My karate skills are incredible! Now let's shake it out, all right? Let's shake our hands. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. Now stop! Good workout, folks. Kooky, really!

[all laughing]

(Describer) Next, Dusty scrubs in the bathtub.

[soft music playing]

Hmm. Oh! That workout made me sweat. Wow, look at all the bubbles. Hehehe! Let's get popping.

(Describer) Two large bubbles float up.

(Dott) Keh, tul. Kettle.

(Describer) Dusty swats them away.

Kih, ih, duh.

(Describer) Letter bubbles K-I-D.

Kid.

(Describer) Dusty swats them away.

(Dusty) Ooh! Kuh, ih, tt.

(Describer) K-I-T.

Kit.

(Describer) Dusty prances across the bathrrom wrapped in a towel.

[scatting] Haha!

(Describer) In the yard, Dusty peeks over the fence. Jampa sits outside.

[banjo strums]

Hmm. Hi, Jampa! Hi, Dusty. Whoa, is that a new picture for your scrapbook? Yeah. What is that? Koala bear! Oh, a koala! I've heard about that. Koalas fly, right? No, Dusty. No, no, they don't fly. Hey, what do koalas eat? Eucalyptus. Eukalyptus? Oh, do they like eating that? Yeah! Does it give them energy? Yeah. Koala has a pouch like a kangaroo. Wow, I didn't know that! Thanks for teaching me that, and thanks for sharing your scrapbook with me, Jampa. Bye, Dusty! Bye, Jampa!

[banjo strumming]

(Describer) Outside, Dott and Dusty play. Maya walks over, followed closely by Jampa and Cosmo.

[muffled] My ball! I want my ball.

You're driving me nuts!

(both) You're driving me nuts! What's going on, Reading Buddies? Jampa and Cosmo asked if I wanted to play "Shadow." Ooh, I love games! What's Shadow?

Shadow is when... (both) Shadow is when...

Ugh! (both) Ugh! Oh, I think I get it.

[groaning, grunting] [both laughing]

Freeze! I don't think Maya wants to play Shadow. It doesn't look or sound like she's having fun. Take a look at Maya's face. Her eyebrows-- furrowed. Her mouth--frowning. Her arms--folded. And she stomped her foot. If I had to guess, I would say that Maya is feeling frustrated. I am feeling frustrated. I told them that I didn't want to play Shadow, but they still keep copying me. But it's fun! It's not fun for me. Sometimes friends can have a different idea of what feels fun and what doesn't. What's important is that we listen to each other. So, Maya, how can we support you right now? I really don't want anyone to copy me anymore. It's okay if you guys still want to play Shadow, but I don't want you to be in my shadow. That seems fair! Does anybody want to have a shadow? Oh, me, me, me! I want you to be my shadows! Maya, you can be my shadow if you want, but you don't have to. Thanks, Dusty. Ha! Hey, is everybody ready? Ready! I love Dusty so much!

(all) I love Dusty so much! I'm gonna scratch his belly all day!

(all) I'm gonna scratch his belly all day! Time to eat some delicious dog food!

(all) Time to eat some delicious...

(all) Eww! Gross! Dusty!

(butterflies) ♪ Kerfuffle, kerfuffle, kerfuffle! ♪

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

♪ Kerfuffle! Kerfuffle! ♪

Unnecessary excitement or activity. I liked it! That's our time, Reading Buddies! Say goodbye, Mary. "Goodbye, Mary!"

(both) Goodbye, Jampa!

[banjo strumming]

(Describer) The gnomes freeze. Jampa appears.

Bye, gnomes!

(Describer) In the yard.

(all) Ahhh! And you, Dusty, I award you with your new consonant Alphabadge, the "k" badge! Wear it with pride.

(Describer) The badge is pinned to his vest.

[fanfare, applause]

Shucks, folks, I'm speechless! Hey, look at this! Little by little.

(all) Letter by letter!

[bus horn beeps] Oh, time to go home!

Give your vests 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.

[closing theme song plays]

(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!

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

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

[upbeat music]

♪