(Describer) In the Reading Room, Dott plays with Dusty.

[soft intro music]

(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 "z" consonant badge. Ooh, zippity doo dah!!

Aaah. [horn toots]

The Alphabotteers are here! Let's go outside and say hello! Okay, just outside! That's, uh-- that's, uh--

(Describer) Dusty pulls his hat off his eyes.

Oh, yech. Dott, wait up!

[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.

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

[upbeat music]

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... "Zesty." Zesty means: "full of flavor" or "full of energy." Let's try to say it together with lots of energy! "Zesty" on three. One, two, three!

(all) Zesty! Haha! Wow, that was energetic. Yeah, that was really zesty! Oh! our friend Jampa is coming! See you later, alligator! In a while, crocodile! Freeze!

[banjo strumming]

(Describer) From the window, Jampa snaps a picture of the frozen gnomes.

[Alphabott making fanfare]

(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.? "zz, zz, zz. zz, zz, zz." Now, that's a fun sound, A.B. "Zz," like zipper. Reading Buddies, today you're helping Dusty earn the "z" consonant badge.

[tinkling] (all) Ooooh!

[gasps] Zing!

I want that. Mm, I know you do, Dusty. I know you do. But first, let's explore the sound that the letter "z" makes. Alphabott, can you show us what our mouth does when we make the "zz" sound?

[whirring]

When we make the "zz" sound, our top and bottom teeth are close together and we push the air through them. "Zzzz." Zzzzzz! Hahahah! Oh, yeah. I feel the buzz. Even my teeth were buzzing. Yeah! The "zz" sound creates friction, which is why you hear and feel all that buzzing. Mm, like a bee-- bzzzz! Well, that's Alphabott's sound of the day. Thanks, A.B.

[squeals]

(Describer) Alphabott leaves.

I'm gonna get that "z" consonant badge! Oh, I know you will! With your help, of course. Phew! All that work made me hungry! It's time for Dusty's triple-decker dog-food sandwich, with anchovies, of course. You can have a treats after you clean your doghouse, Dust. Wha-- I already did. Hmm, it's so clean, it's like too clean! It's like cleany, cleany clean! Squeaky clean. You know?

(Describer) To us.

I don't think she bought it. Hey, will you help me clean up my doghouse?

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

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

[panting] [funky music playing]

Hmm? Goh!

(singer) ♪ Dog dog, doggy dog ♪

♪ Doggy dog dog doghouse ♪

[panting] Oh, you win!

Gazooks! Look at this mess. Let's sort this junk. Today, let's set aside all the things with the "zz" sound. Remember, "zz, zz," as in zipper!

[chuckles] [snoring]

(Describer) The pile of junk jiggles as it snores.

[grumbling]

[snoring continues]

Hey, wake up! Huh, what? Good morning, starshine. The earth says, "Dive, dive, dive!"

(Describer) In the pile.

[grunting] Oh, my watch!

Ow, just... Zebra! Does zebra have the "zz" sound?

(children) Yes! Yes. "Zz" is the first sound. Snooze over by the bed, zebra.

[grunting]

(Describer) Dusty pulls out another item.

[munching] Dish.

Duh, ih, sh. Does dish have the "zz" sound?

(child) No. Mmm, nope! Ha, uh... whoops. Back to the junk!

[grunting]

[roars] Whoa!

A grizzly bear! Guh, rr, ih, zz, lee! Do you hear the "zz" sound in grizzly?

(children) Yes! Yeah, me too! That one was tricky.

[grunting]

(Describer) Dusty pulls another item out.

Ho ho! Olive! Ah, ll, ih, vv. Does olive have the "zz" sound?

(child) No. Nope. I'm not a big olive fan, anyway.

[grunting] [exotic music]

(Describer) Dusty pulls out a red hat.

Fez! Ff, eh, zz. Does fez have a "zz" sound?

(children) Yes! Haha! Sure does. Does anyone still wear a fez?

(Junk Pile) Noo, my magic fez!

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

See ya tomorrow, Dusty. See ya tomorrow, Junk!

[sniffing] Whoa! Now I'm really hungry.

[sniffing] Oh, boy!

Yummy smells are happening in the reading room! Let's go! [panting]

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

Hey, Dusty, do you know what time it is? Let me see. [licks] Hmm. Ah, yes!

[together, with children] 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 squeezy. [metronome ticking]

Say "animal." Animal. Say it again, but don't say "an." "Imal!" Good dog!

[slurps]

Say "fabulous." Fabulous. Say it again, but don't say "fab." "Ulous!"

That's it! [gulps]

Say "news." News. Say it again, but don't say "nn." "Ooze"! Great.

[munching]

Say "like." Like. Say it again, but don't say "ll." Ike! Correct!

[munching] Mmmm!

These treats are so good! Treats, treats! I like treats. Treats, treats! I like treats. Tr-- Ahem!

[chuckles]

And I-- I like you too, of course.

(Describer) In the garden.

Oh! Hi, Reading Buddies! We are so excited and full of zest for this experiment. We're trying to figure out which vegetables are the most zesty, the most full of flavor. I have tomato. Let's see.

(Describer) Mary tries it.

Oh, wow! It's so flavorful. It's sour but sweet. Zesty! Okay, okay, my turn! I hope I get a zesty one! Are you sure you want to go next, Marty? Yes! Ooh, I've got such a zest for tasting food. Maybe I could be a chef. Here you go, chef.

(Describer) Marty tries a thin red vegetable.

[upbeat music]

[munching]

[gasps] Mary!

What is this? It's a ghost pepper. It's one of the hottest peppers in the world. Is it zesty, Marty? Whoa!!! Zesty!

(Describer) Smoke billows.

(Describer) Marty zooms upward.

That must have been on zesty pepper.

[whirring, beeping]

(Describer) In the yard, Ziggy paints on Alphabott's screen.

[French music playing]

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 close-up portrait of my brother. See here? We already drew the hoodie. Whoa, can we help you draw the rest? I was hoping you would.

(Describer) To us.

Can you help finish this zipper?

(child) Okay! Great! Now, follow along. We draw a short horizontal line across, diagonal line down, and another short, horizontal line to the right. I didn't even lift up my marker, and just three movements. Over, down, over. Here we go. Over, down, over.

(Describer) Dott fills in the zipper on the hoodie with larger and larger letter Z's.

And we're done! The perspective! 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!

(all) Bye! That zipper made me think of the symbol that make the "zz" sound. It's called the letter "z." Ah! The letter "z!" My new Alphabadge. That's right, Dust. Let's look a little closer at the letter "z." Alphabott, switch into learning mode, please.

[whirring]

(Describer) Alphabott shakes and slides in their arms.

[upbeat music]

[whistles]

(Describer) Their head spins.

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

[munches]

(Describer) Sparkles appear at Dusty's mouth.

Dust?

(Describer) Dott holds out her hand.

[grumbles] Blech!

[children laugh]

(Describer) Dusty spits out the imaginary paintbrush. Dott wipes it off.

Follow along with Dott to create the letter "z." Let's start on the dotted line. We draw a short, horizontal line to the right, then we draw a diagonal line down left, then another short, horizontal line across to the right. Looking familiar to anyone? Mm, no, never seen that before in my life! Aah! Wait a minute. It looks like the zipper we drew! Right, except this zipper makes the "zz" sound. Can you hear it?

(Describer) Alphabott.

(Alphabott) Z, zipper, zz. Did you hear that? Haha! Well, that's a magic paintbrush for you! Let's put those things away before they put a spell on us or something! Good idea.

(Describer) To us.

Want to go play with this new "zz" sound a bit more? Haha! Okay. Meet you in the reading room!

(Describer) Dusty leaves.

[funky music]

[whirring]

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

(Describer) A blue letter Z zig zags while a silver zipper opens and closes.

(Dott) z, zipper, zz.. z, zipper, zz. z, zipper zz.

(Describer) The zipper pull slides off screen.

[ticking]

(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! Hello, Cousin Erin! I'm on TV! Today, you're listening for the "zz" sound. It will be in the first, second, or even a third square. Here we go. The first word is: "zoo." Zoo. Zz, ew. Hm, which square has the "zz" sound? Zz, ew.

(children) First square! Okay, we'll choose the first square, Dott.

(Describer) She taps it.

[dinging] That's correct!

Now, let's move on to three squares.

(all) Oooh! Your next word is: "buzz." Buzz. Buh, uh, zz. Which square has the "zz" sound? Buh, uh, zz.

(child) Third square! Okay, we'll take the last square.

(Describer) Dott taps it.

[dinging]

Incredible. The last word is: "zone." Zone. Zz, oh, nn. Which square has the "zz" sound? Zz, oh, nn.

(child) First square!

Are you sure? (children) Yes! Okay! This one's for all the pickles. The first square, Dott.

(Describer) Dott taps it.

[dinging]

The first square! That's right. You won! Oh, ah ah ah! I'd like to thank, uh, all my Reading Buddies and, of course, the "zz" 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!

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

(Describer) Outside.

Hey, Reggie! Hey, you two! Hey, Reading Buddies! Oh, were you working on the Happy Camper? How's the, um, hep cat on the tires? Dusty, I think you mean "hub cap."

[gasps] Yeah, yeah, yeah.

That's what I said. That's a hub cap, yeah.

[chastising squeal]

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.

[whirring, steam hissing]

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

(all) Yes! Okay! 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) Zen. The word is "zen." How many sounds do you hear in: zz, eh, nn?

(child) Three! Three? Zz, eh, nn. Zen!

[whirring]

(Reggie) Great job, Buddies!

(Describer) One bar on the battry turns green.

[beeping]

(Dusty) Zone. The word is "zone." How many sounds are in: zz, oh, nn?

(all) Three!

(Dusty) Three? Zz, oh, nn. Zone!

[whirring, beeping]

(Describer) Half of the battery is green.

Frizz. The word is "frizz." How many sounds are in: ff, rr, ih, zz?

(child) Four!

(Dusty) Four! Ff, rr, ih, zz. Frizz!

[whirring, beeping]

(Describer) One more bar to go.

Buzz. The word is "buzz." How many sounds are in the word: Buh, uh, zz?

(child) Three!

(Dusty) Three? Let's see. Buh, uh, zz. Buzz!

[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 piggy bank. In the Reading Room.

[coin rattles]

[panting] Hey, Dott!

Alphabott's fully charged and ready to rumble!

(Describer) Dusty and Alphabott join Dott at the desk.

[whirring]

Great to have you back, A.B.

[curious squealing]

Great idea, A.B. Alphabott wants to transform some words that have the "zz" sound in them. Oh, boy! I'm so close to earning that "z" Alphabadge, I can taste it. Mm, it's zesty! Dusty? Promise me you won't eat your "z" badge. Are we going to transform some words or not?

[children laugh] Okay, okay.

Let's read this word together.

(Describer) 'Z'

(all) Zz, ih, guh.

(Describer) 'I'

(Describer) 'G'

Zig! What sound comes first? Zzz... ig! Zz, ig! My new sound! Zz as in zebra. Zzz! Very good! Now, let's transform "zig" to "zag."

(Dusty) Zz, ah, guh. Zz, ah, guh! This is a sneaky one! Do we change the vowel in the middle? Yes, that's right! We need to change "ih" out for "ah." Now we have "zag."

(Describer) 'A' replaces 'I'.

How do we transform "zag" to "bag"?

(Dusty) Buh, ah, guh. Buh, ah, guh.

[gasps] The first sound changed!

We don't need the "zz." Let's make it a "buh"! We need a "b." That's right, Dusty. I like the enthusiasm. Hahhah!

(Describer) B-A-G.

(Dott) Bag. Very good. Now, let's change "bag" to "big." What should we do? Buh, ih, guh! Buh, ih, guh. Buh, ih, guh. Another middle vowel sound changed. Those are tricky. Yep. "Ah" has to become "ih." And now we have "big."

(Describer) B-I-G.

Haha! Wow, Dust. You transformed all of those words. Ooh! My brain is full! Can we go outside? That's a great idea, Dusty. We can get some fresh air while we exercise. You want to come with us?

(children) Okay! Great! Let's get to it. Thanks, A.B.

[squeals]

(Describer) In the yard, Dott joins Kitt and Cosmo.

[upbeat music] [children cheering]

Are you ready to "Squat with Dott"? Dusty likes to keep us company when we get our steps in. Do you want to stand up and join us? Yeah, come on! Let's get in the zone. Let's pretend to zip our legs together and hop from side to side. Here we go-- we Zip and Hop. Zip and Hop.

(all) Zip and Hop. Now stop! I feel zany! And I love it. That made me feel jazzy.

[all hissing, whispering]

(Describer) Cosmo and Kitt wiggle their hands.

Jazz! Do you know how to make jazz hands? You spread your fingers out wide and then you shake your hands. Like this? Cosmo, you are a natural. Let's all do it together. Jazz hands! Uh-huh, jazz hands.

(Describer) They pop their hips out as they shake their hands.

Jazz hands! And stop. Good workout, folks. Dizzying, really.

[soft music playing]

(Describer) Dusty in the bathtub.

Hmm. Haha! That workout made me sweat. Woah, look at all the bubbles. Let's get popping.

[bubbles pop]

(Describer) Two bubbles float up.

(Dott) Zee, row.

(Dusty) Ooh! Zero.

(Describer) Letter bubbles.

Zz, ih, pp.

(Describer) Z-I-P.

Zip.

[popping]

Zz, eh, ss, tt. Zest. Oooh!

(Describer) Z-E-S-T.

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

(Describer) Dusty swirls in the bathtub.

[banjo strums]

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

Hmm! Hi, Jampa! Hi, Dusty. Wow! Is this a new picture for your scrapbook? Yeah. What is that a picture of? Zebra! A zebra! Zebras fly, right? No, Dusty. Oh, they don't fly? What color is that? Black and white stripes. Oh, it's got stripes. That's great. I have another question about this zebra. Okay, go ahead. Is it kind of like a horse? Yeah. What sound does a horse make?

Neigh, neigh. [blows]

Yeah! Haha! Wow, that was so fun! Thanks for sharing your scrapbook with me. Bye, silly goose.

Bye, silly goose! [banjo strumming]

(Describer) In the Reading Room.

"The end."

Oh! [crying]

(Describer) Dusty sobs as Dott clutches the book.

Oh, Dusty, are you okay? Huh? Ahem, yeah, yeah! It's just, I got some fur in my eyes.

[crying]

You know, it's okay to feel emotional because of something you read. I'm crying because of a book? Oooh! Stories can make us feel all sorts of things. It's one of the reasons why I love to read them. I'm just surprised you feel sad after this book. Well, because, well-- there really is no place like home!

[sobbing]

Oh, my sweet Dusty! I think those are happy tears. Happy tears? Happy tears are a thing? Happy endings sometimes mean happy tears. Sometimes crying happens when you're feeling whole lots of things at once, even if you're not sad. Well, I am feeling a whole lot of things at once, just like Toto!

[sobbing]

Were you following Toto's emotional journey? Of course! Uh, can you imagine how worried he was for Dorothy? The relief at arriving back home! Everyone needs a canine companion like you, Dust. Haha, ditto, Dott! Aww! Wait, technically I'm not a canine companion. I won't hold that against you! Oh! Haha! There's no place like home.

(both) There's no place like home!

[both sobbing, mumbling]

It gets me! Ah! Happy tears.

(Describer) In the garden.

Whooooa! Ugh!

(Describer) Marty lands.

Boy! That was...

(butterflies) ♪ Zesty, zesty, zesty! ♪

(Describer) Butterflies sing.

♪ Zesty! Zesty! ♪

"Full of flavor or energy!" I liked it! That's our time, Reading Buddies! Say goodbye, Mary. "Goodbye, Mary!"

(both) Goodbye, Jampa!

(Describer) The gnomes freeze. Jampa appears.

[banjo strumming]

Ahh! Bye, gnomes!

(Describer) In the yard.

(all) Ahhh! And you, Dusty, You have earned your new consonant Alphabadge, the "z" badge!

Wear it with pride. [fanfare]

Shucks, folks, I'm speechless! Hey, Buddies, look what I got!

(Describer) Dusty joins the kids.

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

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

[upbeat music]

♪