(Describer) In the Reading Room, Dott and Dusty play with a toy giraffe.

[soft intro music]

[deep voice] Why, hello there.

What's your name? Uh, Dusty. What's yours? My name's Peter. Peter? What's your last name? Peter... Peterson.

Ah! (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 "t-h" digraph badge. Whoo! Thank you! Thank you very much.

Haaa. [horn toots]

Hey! The Alphabotteers are here! Let's go outside and say hello! Haha! Come on, Peter Peterson! Or just stay right there. Dott, wait up!

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

[upbeat music]

(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... "thrilled!" Oh, were you really excited to say the word of the day, Marty? I mean, yes, actually. It was thrilling! But "thrilled" is also the word of the day. Thrilled means: "very excited." Let's try to say it together. "Thrilled" on three. One, two, three!

(all) Thrilled! That was thrilling! Our friend Jampa is coming! See you later, alligator! In a while, crocodile! Freeze!

(Describer) Jampa strolls past the garden, examining the world through a magnifying glass.

[banjo strumming]

[Alphabott makes 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.? "th, th, th. th, th, th." Now, that's a fun sound, A.B. "th" like thumb. Okay, Reading Buddies. Today, you're helping Dusty earn the "th" digraph badge!

[magical tinkling] (children) Oooh!

This is just too thrilling! The "th" sound has two letters, "t" and "h." Alphabott, can you show us what our mouth does when we make the "th" sound?

[whirring]

The "th" sound is made when we place the tip of our tongue between our upper and lower teeth while the air gets pushed past the teeth and lips.

[whirring]

Thanks for giving us that new sound, A.B.

[happy squealing]

(Describer) Alphabott leaves.

I'm going to get that "th" digraph badge! I'm sure you will! With your help. Keep listening for that "th" sound today. Phew! All that hearing made me hungry! I think I buried my bone in the fridge... next to the cheese! See ya! You can have a treat after you've cleaned your doghouse, Dust. Hahahah! I love cleaning. So, it would be a pleasure.

(Describer) To us.

Are you kidding? I'd rather go to the vet than clean that doghouse. Hey, will you help me clean up that junk?

(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] Ah, oh!

Ah, you won! Well, that's my exercise for the month. Hahah! Hey, let's sort out this pile of junk. Today, let's set aside all the things with the "th" sound! Remember, "th, th," like thumb!

(junk pile) Dusty, ye smell worse than I do!

[sniffing]

Well, I guess we both could use a bath. Dive, dive!

[grunts]

(Describer) Dusty leaps into the pile.

Tooth! Tt, ooh, th! Does tooth have the "th" sound?

(children) Yes! Haha! Yes-- "th" is the last sound in tooth. Oh, boy, will the tooth fairy be happy!

(Describer) Dusty pulls out another item.

[grunting]

[dinging]

Bike! Buh, ay, kk! Does bike have the "th" sound?

(child) No! Hmmm! Nope! Always wear a helmet. Safety PSA!

[grunting]

Thimble! Th, ih, mmm, buh, ll. Does thimble have the "th" sound?

(children) Yes! Ha! Yes! It's the first sound! A thimble is a sewing thing. It's like armor for your finger! Hmm!

(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]

Do you smell that? Yummy! Let's see what's cooking in the reading room!

[dog howls]

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

Hey, Dusty, do you know what time it is? Time to feed the old belly!

(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 "here." Here. Say it again, but don't say "hh." "Ear!" Good dog.

[slurps]

Say "candy." Candy. Say it again, but don't say "can." "Dy!"

That's right! [gulps]

Say "silver." Silver. Say it again, but don't say "sil." "Ver?" Correct.

[munching]

Say "sit." Sit. Say it again, but don't say "ss." It? Way to go, Dusty!

[munching]

You were on fire!

[gasps] I'm on fire?

I'm on fire! Dott, A.B., I'm on fire! I'm not really on fire. I am such a good actor.

[upbeat music]

(Describer) In the garden.

Oh! Hi, Reading Buddies!

(caterpillar) Oooh! I'm going for it, fellas!

(Mary) Look at that cute caterpillar. Hey, what are you doing? I'm a thrill-seeking caterpillar! I need excitement.

(Mary) What are you doing that's so thrilling? I'm getting a running start! I'm gonna jump off the edge and fly away. Whoo hoo! Thrilling. Oh, you want to fly? I think you're missing a very necessary-- Go for it! I'm thrilled just watching.

(caterpillar) Gotta get my thrills, buddy! Don't worry about me. I'm the king of thrills! Okay, I'm hooked. This is thrilling. I'm going for it!

(both) Go, go, go, go!

(caterpillar) Thrill!

(Describer) The caterpillar leaps.

Go! Go? Uh...

(Describer) Now a butterfly.

(butterfly) Yahoo! That was such a thrill! And flying is even more thrilling! I thought needed to be in a cocoon before they turned into butterflies.

(butterfly) Don't read too much into it, Mart! See ya! Boy! That was thrilling.

[applause]

(Describer) In the yard, Ziggy paints on Alphabott's screen a truck driving down a road.

[whirring, beeping]

[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? The open road! See here? We already drew the throughway. Oh, can we help you finish it? I was hoping you would.

(Describer) To us.

Can you help Ziggy finish this painting?

(child) Yeah! Great! Now, follow along. We need to connect the telephone poles first. So, let's make a long, vertical line all the way down, lift up your marker, and add a horizontal line at the top across.

(Describer) Dott draws another pole.

Vertical line down, lift up, and a line that goes across. One more. Down and across. Now, Ziggy, let's connect the telephone poles. One, two, three. Ah! I see a spot that you missed. We need to connect the truck. Vertical line down, and a small hump to the right. Done! Honk, honk! 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 throughway made me think of the symbols that make the "th" sound. They're a digraph made up of the letters "t" and "h." A digraph? That's when two letters come together to make one sound! It's also my new Alphabadge! Well, look at that. Let's look a little closer at the digraph "t-h," which makes the "th" sound. Alphabott, will you 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!

(children) Oooh! Now, that's a good hiding place! Hey, follow along with Dott to create the letters "th." Let's start at the top and draw a long, vertical line down, lift up, and draw a smaller, horizontal line across to the right. Looking familiar to anyone? Haha! Not a-- hey, wait! that looks like the telephone pole! Yep, and for the letter "h," we draw a vertical line down and a short hump to the right.

(Describer) Alphabott.

t-h, thumb, th.

[gasps] Did you hear that?

Haha! Well, that's a magic paintbrush for you! Let's put those things away before things get out of hand! Good idea.

(Describer) To us.

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

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

[funky music]

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

(Describer) Two blue letters, T-H, slide together. A brown hand gives a thumbs up.

(Dott) t-h, thumb, th. t-h, thumb, th. t-h, thumb, th.

(Describer) The letters slide away.

[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, Uncle Mitch! I'm on TV! Today, you're listening for the "th" sound. It will be in the first, second, or even a third square. Here we go. The first word is: "earth." Earth. Err, th. Which square has the "th" sound? Err, th.

(child) Second square! Okay! We'll take the second square!

(Describer) Dott taps it.

[dinging]

Bravo! Now let's move on to three squares. Your next word is: "path." Path. Puh, ah, th. Which square has the "th" sound? Puh, ah, th.

(child) Third square! Okay! I'll choose the last one, Dott.

(Describer) She taps it.

[dinging]

Great job! Now, it's time for the surprise round! Oooh! We've split a word into two syllables and put each into a square. The word is: "thunder." The first square is "thun" and the second is "der." Which square has a syllable with the "th" sound? Thunder! Thun, der. Where's the "th" sound? Thun, der.

(children) First square. Okay! The first square, Dott.

[dinging]

(Describer) Dott taps it.

Way to go! You won! Whoo hoo! Oh, my goodness! Oh, my goodness. Okay, okay, I'd like to thank my Reading Buddies and, of course, the "th" 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) Let's go! Oh, great! Let's do it! Hey, Reggie!

(Describer) Outside.

Hey, you two! Hey, Reading Buddies! Oh, were you working on the Happy Camper? Whoa! How fast is it going? Well, it's parked, so it's going zero miles an hour. Well, that's good. Better safe than sorry.

[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]

Holy smokes! Her battery's drained. I can fix that! 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) Thumb. The word is "thumb." How many sounds do you hear in: th, uh, mm?

(child) Three! Three? Th, uh, mm. Thumb!

[whirring]

(Reggie) Great job, Buddies!

(Describer) One bar on the battery turns green.

[beeping]

(Dusty) Third. The word is "third." How many sounds are in: th, err, dd?

(all) Three!

(Dusty) Three! Th, err, dd.

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

[whirring, beeping]

Throne. The word is "throne." How many sounds are in: th, rr, oh, nn?

(child) Four!

(Dusty) Four! Th, rr, oh, nn. Throne!

[whirring, beeping]

(Describer) One more bar to go.

Math. The word is "math." How many sounds are in the word: Mm, ah, tt?

(child) Three!

(Dusty) Three? Let's see. Mm, ah, th. Math!

[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, Alphabott and Dusty join Dott at the desk.

[coin rattles]

[Alphabott whirring]

Great to have you back, A.B.

[curious squealing]

Of course, A.B.! Alphabott wants to transform some words that have the "th" sound in them. Oh, boy! I'm so close to earning that "t-h" digraph badge, I can taste it. Mmm! Dusty? Promise me you won't eat your "t-h" digraph badge.

Uh... [children laugh]

Are we going to transform some words or not? Okay. Let's read this small word.

(Describer) 'I'.

"ih, nn."

(Describer) 'N'.

In! Now, what sound is in the beginning of "in"?

(Dusty) Ih, nn.

[gasps] Ih, ih, as in "itch"!

Yes, "ih." Very good! Now, let's add our new "t-h" digraph sound so that it's the first sound. What do we have now?

(Dusty) Th, ih, nn. Th, ih, nn. Thin! Yes! Now, let's transform "thin" to "pin." Tell me what we have to do. Th, ih, nn. Puh, ih, nn. I think we need to change that first sound. It needs to be "puh," which is represented by the letter "p"! Very good, Dusty. "Pin." What do we need to change to turn "pin" into "pan"? Puh, ah, nn. Puh, ah, nn. The "ih" changes to "ah" as in apple! We need the letter "a" there! Very good, Dusty! And now we have "pan." Dust! You transformed all of those words. Haha! Whoa! My brain is full! I mean it! Ff, uh, ll! Can we go outside? Sure we can! We can get some fresh air while we exercise. You want to come outside with us?

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

[squeals "You got it, Dott."] [upbeat music]

(Describer) In the yard.

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! Join us! Today's theme is all about thriving! What does that mean? It means to be happy and growing. Like this? Oh, beautiful, Kitt! Now, don't worry about thinking too much. Just have fun.

(Describer) Cosmo nods.

What's up first, Dott? This one's called the Thumbs Up! See that? Let's try it together. The Thumbs Up!

(Describer) They lean side to side and raise their thumbs up.

The Thumbs Up! The Thumbs Up! Last time! The Thumbs Up! Now stop. Whoo! I feel smooth! Truth! I feel that too. The next move is called the North and South. You point up and then down. North is up, South is down. Here we go. Come on! North and South!

(Describer) Their right hand's point up, then cross their bodies to point down.

North and South! Uh-huh, North and South. North and South! Now stop. Can you thread those moves together? So we go like this. Thumbs up, then North and South. Here we go! Thumbs up, then North and South. Thumbs up, then North and South. Thumbs up, then North and South. Last time! Then North and South. And stop! Good workout, folks. Thrilling, really.

(Describer) Dusty in the bathtub.

[soft music playing]

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

[bubbles pop]

(Describer) Two bubbles.

(Dott) Tooth, pick. Toothpick.

(Describer) Two more.

Birth, day. Birthday. Buh, ah, th. Bath.

(Describer) Dusty pops B-A-T-H.

[popping]

[scatting, laughing]

(Describer) Dusty walks across the bathroom. Next, in the yard.

[banjo strums]

Oh! Hi, Jampa! Hi, Dusty. Oh! Is that another picture for your scrapbook? Yeah. What is that? A thimble! A thimble! Whoa, I've heard of that. Do thimbles fly? No, Dusty. You know what it looks like to me? It looks like a tiny, teeny, weeny helmet. Yeah, it doesn't protect your head. It's for sewing! Oh, so it's not a helmet at all? It goes on your finger and protects your finger when you're sewing. What would you sew? If you had a cool sewing power, what would you sew? I'd sew a bunch of costumes. You'd make a bunch of costumes? That's great. Hey, thanks for sharing your scrapbook with me. Bye, Dusty. Bye, Jampa!

[banjo strumming]

(Describer) Dusty in the Reading Room.

Alphabott! A.B.?

[whirring]

That laugh! I know that laugh! It's-- it's--

[evil cackling]

(Describer) Alphabott glares wearing a mustache.

Doctor Betabott!

[sniffs]

(Describer) Dusty puts on a green space helmet.

[evil chiming]

[ascending whistle] Ha!

You're just the robot I've been looking for!

[curious whirring]

Because I've got something to say to you! Ahem. Hmm.

(Describer) Dusty stares intensely at Alphabott.

[eerie music]

Beep boop bop beep boop. Mmmmm!

(Describer) Dusty presses buttons on his helmet then stares again.

[music continues]

[gasps] Thank you.

[confused whir]

For what? Well, when things got tense on planet Participle, you really saved the day.

[exclamatory whirring]

Thank me? For what?

[squealing]

Aww! Haha! Ahem. Well, thank you for thanking me for thanking you. You're the best doctor any captain could ask for.

[confused whirring]

No, no, no! Thank you! [whirring "No, no, no, thank you!"] This could take a while.

[whirring]

No, no, no, thank you!

[happy whirring]

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

(butterflies) ♪ Thrilled, thrilled, thrilled! ♪

♪ Thrilled! Thrilled!! ♪

"Very excited." 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]

Bye, gnomes!

(Describer) In the yard.

And you, Dusty, You have earned your new digraph Alphabadge, the "t-h" badge!

Wear it with pride. [fanfare]

Shucks, folks, I'm speechless! Hey, look at this new digraph badge!

(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]

♪