(Describer) In the Reading Room, Dusty examines Dott's palm.

[soft intro music]

All right. What do you see? Oh, yes, your future is bright. You get me a new-- I mean, you get a new dog bed. And if there's a dog in your life to share it with, oh, yeah, right here, you can go ahead--

(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 are we getting today? Today's Alphabadge is called...

Oooh! [children laughing]

(Describer) Dott bumps Dusty.

The "y" consonant badge. Oh, yippee!

[horn toots]

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

[upbeat music] Haha.

Oh, wait for me, Dott!

[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... "Yield." One thing "yield" can mean is "to produce or provide." Let's try to say it together. "Yield" on three! One, two, three!

(all) Yield! Our friend Jampa is coming! See you later, alligator! In a while, crocodile! Freeze!

(Describer) Jampa pops up in the window and spies on the frozen gnomes through binoculars.

[banjo strumming]

[Alphabott squealing "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.? "ye, ye, ye, ye, ye, ye." Now, that's a fun sound, A.B. "Ye" like yoyo. Okay, Reading Buddies, today, you're going to help Dusty earn the "y" consonant badge!

[magical tinkling] (children) Oooh!

Yes!! Yes, please! Yes, please, with cherries on top! Okay. Alphabott, can you show us what our mouth does when we make the "ye" sound?

[whirring]

When we make the "ye" sound, the sides of our tongue touch our upper teeth, and the tip of the tongue points down a bit as air passes through. "Ye."

[whirring]

Repeat after me: ye, ye, ye.

(all) Ye, ye, ye. Ho ho! Now, what about your voice box? Is it on?

(Describer) Touching their throats.

Hmm. Ye! Haha! Oh, yeah, I feel the buzz. It is! It's very buzzy. "Ye" is a voiced sound. Hey, thanks for giving us that new sound, A.B.

[squeals]

(Describer) Alphabott leaves.

I'm gonna get that "y" consonant badge! Oh, I'm sure you will! With your help, of course. Phew! All that hearing made me hungry! I think I'll mosey on over to the pantry and-- You can have your treats after you've cleaned your doghouse, Dust. You did clean it, right? Oh, ye of little faith!

(Describer) To us.

She's right, of course. Haha! My room is so gross. I can't clean it alone. Will you help me clean up that mess?

(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!

(singer) ♪ Dog dog, doggy dog ♪

♪ Doggy dog dog doghouse ♪

[panting] Hey, Dott!

I won! I did it! Oh, wait, you're here already. Oh, you beat me! Let's sort out this pile of junk. Today, let's set aside all the things with the "ye" sound in their name. Remember, "ye, ye" as in yoyo.

(Describer) The pile.

(junk pile) Yeah yeah, let's get on with it.. Yippee! Dive, dive, dive!

[grunts] Wha-wha-whoooa!

(Describer) Dusty leaps into the pile. He struggles to pull an item out.

[long grunt]

Whoa!

[meows] Yarn!

Ye, arr, nn. Does yarn have the "ye" sound?

(child) Yeah! Yes! I can finally get to all that knitting.

To the pile! [meows]

[grunting]

Doll! Duh, ah, ll. Does doll have the "ye" sound?

(child) No!

[laughs] Nope!

Goodbye, Dolly!

[grunting]

(Describer) Dusty pulls out a white furry creature.

Whoa! A yeti! Ye, eh, tt, ee. Does yeti have the "ye" sound?

(child) Yes! Haha! Yes! "Ye" is the first sound in yeti. I'm so happy! Junk!

[grunting]

(Describer) Dusty pulls another item out.

Yoyo! Yo, yo.

[chuckling] Does yoyo have the "ye" sound in it?

(children) Yes! Yes! Twice! Yoyo, don't go!

(junk pile) Nooooo!

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

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

[sniffing]

My nose is telling me...

[sniffing]

It's time to go back to the reading room! Let's go!

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

[metronome ticking]

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

[slurps]

Say "fabulous." Fabulous. Say it again, but don't say "lous." "Fabu!"

That's it! [gulps]

Say "elephant." Elephant. Say it again, but don't say "phant." "Ele"! Correct.

[munching]

Say "fan." Fan. Say it again, but don't say "ff." "An"! Great!

[munching]

Say "feet." Feet. Say it again, but don't say "ff." "Eet!" Correct.

[munching] Mm mm!

Hey, have you ever tried to eat your feet? No, Dust. That sounds gross. Don't knock it till you try it.

[all laughing]

No, but I've tried many times. I haven't been able to do it. Let me try again. Ew, ew. Ew. I can't do it.

[children laughing]

(Describer) In the garden.

[upbeat music]

Hi, Reading Buddies! We're counting carrots. Our garden yielded a lot of carrots, so we're counting them all. Where did we stop, Mary? We were up to ten, Marty. Well, let's keep counting! Eleven. Here, Mary. Oh! Twelve. Here you go.

(Describer) The carrots pile up.

Thirteen! That's the last one. Wow, our garden was able to yield thirteen carrots! Isn't that great, Mary?

[munching]

(Describer) Marty stares at the pile of half eaten carrots.

What? I saved you one... kind of.

Burp! [children laugh]

Pardon me. Well, they smell delicious, Mary.

[laughter]

(Describer) Mary wiggles.

[whirring, beeping]

(Describer) Dusty looks out the window and spots Alphabott.

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

(Describer) Ziggy paints on Alphabott.

[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? I was inspired by my trip to the lake. See here? We already drew a fancy boat. Oh, can we help you draw the sail? I was hoping you would.

(Describer) To us.

Can you help finish this yacht? Great! Now follow along. We'll draw a diagonal line down right, lift up your marker, and then draw a long diagonal line all the way down left. Make sure that your two lines touch. Done! I can feel the wind in my hair. My favorite one yet. Hoho! 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 yacht made me think of the symbol that make the "ye" sound. It's called the letter "y." Ah! The letter "y"? Yes! My new consonant badge! Yes, that's right, Dust! Let's look a little closer at the letter "y." Huh? 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. Oh, haha! I remember now!

(Describer) She pulls an imaginary paintbrush from Dusty's ear.

Beeoop! [applause]

Now, that's a good hiding place! Follow along with Dott to create the letter "y." Let's start on the dotted line. We make a diagonal right, lift our paintbrushes, and make a long diagonal line to the left, ending below the bottom line. Looking familiar to anyone? Nah, never seen that before. Aah! Wait a minute. It looks like the yacht we drew! Right. Except this "y" makes the "ye" sound. Can you hear it?

(Describer) Alphabott.

y, yoyo, ye.

[gasps] Did you hear that?

Haha! Well, that's a magic paintbrush for you! Let's put those things away before it turns us into yoyos! Good idea.

(Describer) To us.

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

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

[funky music]

(Describer) Dusty hurries away.

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

(Describer) A blue letter Y spins up and down on a yo-yo.

(Dott) y, yoyo, ye. y, yoyo, ye. y, yoyo, ye.

(Describer) The yo-yo spins out of sight.

[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! Hi, Auntie Toni! I'm on TV! Today, you're listening for the "ye" sound. It will be in the first, second, or even a third square. Here we go. The first word is: "yard." Yard. Ye, arr, dd. Which square has the "ye" sound? Ye, arr, dd.

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

(Describer) She taps it.

[dinging]

Bravo! Your next word is: "yawn."

[yawning]

Yawn. Ye, aw, nn. Which square has the "ye" sound? Ye, aw, nn.

(child) First square! Okay! We'll take the first square, Dott.

(Describer) Dott taps it.

[dinging]

Excellent work! Now it's time for a surprise round! Oooh! We've split a word into two smaller words and put them into two squares. The word is... "farm yard." The first square is "farm," the second is "yard." Which square has a word with the "ye" sound? Farm yard. Farm, yard. Which square has the "ye" sound? Farm, yard.

(child) Second square! Okay. This one's for all the garlic! The second square! Yard!

[dinging]

(Describer) Dott taps it.

Way to go! You've won! Oh, ho ho! I'd like to thank my Reading Buddies and, of course, the "ye" 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!

(child) Yeah! Let's go! Oh, great! Let's do it! Reggie, we're here! Hey, you two!

(all) Hi! Hey, Reading Buddies! Oh, were you working on the Happy Camper's, um, bippity bop a doohiky thing? Now you're just making up words.

[laughs] It's what I do best.

[chastising squeal]

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.

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!

[beeping, whirring]

(Describer) A battery and four buttons appear.

(Dusty) Yoga. The word is "yoga." How many sounds do you hear in: Ye, oh, gg, ah?

(child) Four! Four? Let's see. Ye, oh, gg, ah. Yoga!

[whirring]

(Reggie) Great job, Buddies!

[beeping]

(Dusty) Yelp. The word is "Yelp." How many sounds are in: Ye, eh, ll, pp?

(all) Four!

(Dusty) Four! Ye, eh, ll, pp. Yelp!

[whirring, beeping]

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

Yuck. The word is "yuck." How many sounds are in: Ye, uh, kk?

(child) Three!

(Dusty) Three! Ye, uh, kk. Yuck!

[whirring, beeping]

(Describer) One more bar to go.

Yup. The word is "yup." How many sounds are in the word: ye, uh, pp?

(child) Three!

(Dusty) Three? Let's see. Ye, uh, pp. Yup!

[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) Alphabott and Dusty join Dott at the desk.

[Alphabott whirring]

Great to have you back, A.B.

[curious squealing]

Okay, A.B. Alphabott wants to transform some words that have the "ye" sound in them. Oh, boy! I'm so close to earning that "y" badge, I can taste it. Yummy, yummy, yum, yum. Dusty? Promise me you won't eat your "y" badge. Yee... [laughter\ Are we going to transform some words or not? Okay, let's read this word together.

(Describer) 'S'.

"Ss, ah, mm."

(Describer) 'A'.

(Describer) 'M'.

Sam! Ss, ah, mm. What sound is in the beginning?

(Describer) The letter 'S'.

Ss, as in "salami." Sss! Very good. Now, let's change "Sam" to "yam." What sound would we change? We need to change that first sound-- "ss" to "ye." Yes, today's sound! We'll use the letter "y" to make "yam." Now, let's transform "yam" to "yum." Ye, uh, mm! Ye, uh, mm! We need to change the vowel! Uh-huh, we need a "u" in the middle to make "uh." Yum! Now, let's change "yum" to "yup." What letter do we need to change? Ye, uh, puh. Ye, uh, puh. I got it! To make "yup," that "mm" has to become a "pp." Yup! We need the letter "p." And now we have "yup." Dusty, can you believe it? You transformed all of those words. Uff! I believe it! My brain is full! Can we go outside? Yes, we can, Dusty. Good idea. We'll get some fresh air while we exercise. Do you want to come outside with us?

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

[squeals] [upbeat music]

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

Are you ready to "Squat with Dott"? It's that time of the day! You want to stand up and join us? Yeah, come on! Today, we're going to try yoga. Yummy! Not "yogurt," Dust! Yoga! It's not something you eat. It's something you do with your whole body. I'm ready. Great. Let's start by stretching our arms up above our heads. You can even let out a big yawn while you do it.

[all yawning]

Now, can you yoyo your body from side to side? Like this?

(Describer) Kitt bends.

That's it. Here we go. Yoyo from side to side.

(Describer) Keeping their arms high, they bend at the waist left then right.

(all) Yoyo from side to side. Yoyo from side to side. Now stop. Now, with your hands still above your head, can you pretend to sit down in a chair? Yippee! We get to sit. Ahh! Oh, you'll be surprised, Dusty. Your legs will start to feel warm and maybe even wobbly. Hmm? Oh!

[grunting]

Oh, come on, Dust! It'll keep you young. Yes, yes, you're right! I know you're right. Here we go! Sit in that chair. Come on.

(Describer) Arms high, they pose with bent knees and feet together.

Sit in that chair. One more time.

(all) Sit in that chair. And stop. Next, put your hands on your legs and arch your backs up like a yak! What's a yak? It's an animal, kind of like a cow. Moo! I mean, Yakkity yak! I like it! Yakkity yak! We yakkity, yak.

(all) Yakkity yak.

(Describer) They stretch their chests wide then round their backs.

Yakkity yak. And done. Good workout, folks. Youthful, really.

[soft music playing] [humming]

(Describer) Dusty in the bathtub.

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

(Describer) Two bubbles.

Haha!

(Dott) Yell, ow.

(Describer) Dusty swats them.

Yellow.

(Describer) Two more bubbles.

Yo, del.

(Describer) Dusty swats them.

(Dusty) Oooh! Yodel. Yipp, ee. Yippee.

(Describer) Letter bubbles.

Ye, eh, ss.

(Describer) Y-E-S.

Yes.

(Describer) Dusty eats.

[humming] Sandwich in the tub.

Sandwich in the tub!

(Dott) Dusty, I hope you're not eating in the tub! I'm not! Huh? Anymore!

(Describer) It falls in the water.

[children laugh]

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

[banjo strums]

La la la la! Oh! Hi, Jampa! Hi, Dusty. Is this a new picture for your scrapbook? Yes! What is that? A yellow flower. A yellow flower? Whoa! I've seen some flowers. Oh, do flowers fly? No. No, they don't. Hey, and what do you do with flowers? You can give them as gifts. You can give them as gifts! Oh, I should get one for Dott. Do you like to give gifts? Yeah. Who would you give a flower to? Dott and Alphabott. Dott and Alphabott? Great! We can pick some flowers for them later. Thank you for sharing your scrapbook with me. Bye, Dusty. Bye, Jampa!

(Describer) In the Reading Room, Kitt and Dott play.

[banjo strumming]

Neigh, neigh! Do you want some carrots, horsey? Oh, sure! Neigh, neigh!

[gasps] You're playing Farm without me?

Join in, Dust! I'm the horse. Kitt is the farmer. Who do you want to be? Hmm, I want to be... the doggy who goes for a horse ride!

(Describer) He pulls Dott.

Yea! Oh, whoa, Dusty! Dusty! I almost fell over. Oh, well, I'm sorry, Dott. I was just really excited to go for a horse ride! Well, I know you were, but even when we're playing pretend, it's still really important to check in with me before climbing on me or touching my body. Hm, like permission? Yeah. Remember when I asked you if it was okay to take a photo of you for show and tell? Oh, yeah, I remember that! I said yes because I was having a terrific fur day! Exactly! You gave Kitt permission to take your photo, Dusty. So, if I want to go for a horse ride in the game, I can say-- You can say-- "Hey, horsey Dott, can I please go for a ride on your back?" Exactly. And my answer is...

[neighing] Sure, Dust!

But please be gentle.

Come on. [grunts]

Whoop! Here we go.

[neighing] Yee-haw!

(Describer) Dusty holds on to Dott's back.

[neighing] Giddy-up!

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

(butterflies) ♪ Yield, yield, yield! ♪

♪ Yield! Yield! ♪

"To produce or provide." 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) Aaaah! And you, Dusty, I award you with your new consonant Alphabadge, the "y" badge!

Wear it with pride. [fanfare]

Shucks, folks, I'm speechless! Hey, look at my consonant badge collection!

(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 provided by the US Department of Education.

[upbeat music]

♪