(Describer) In the Reading Room, Dott and Dusty write.

[soft intro music]

I attended the finest doggy training schools where I learned how to sit, stay, and, of course, shake hands.

Now, that is-- (children) Hi! Hey! You're here! You made it! Oh! 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...

(Describer) Dott bumps Dusty.

Oooh! [children laughing]

The "p-b" buddy badge. Old buddy, old pal!

Ehhh. [horn toots]

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

[upbeat music] Hello!

We're coming!

(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... "Perilous." Let's try to say it together. "Perilous" on three! One, two, three!

(all) Perilous! Perilous means: "full of danger." Tell them what we're doing, Marty. We're going on a perilous journey through the perilous backyard, past the perilous porch, and into the perilous house. Yeah! I always wanted to go there. It's a perilous vacation. We'll see you later, alligator! In a while, crocodile!

(Describer) Marty and Mary jump behind the fence as Jampa walks by.

Ooh!

[banjo strumming]

(Describer) In the Reading Room.

[Alphabott makes "fanfare"]

What's the new sound, A.B.? "puh, puh, puh, buh, buh, buh." Wait! That's two sounds. That's right! Today's all about the sounds "buh" and "puh." Two sounds? Does that mean I get two badges? No, but you'll get a super special badge. You may get your first Buddy Badge!

[magical tinkling] (children) Oooh!

A Buddy Badge! Oh, that sounds amazing! Yep! The letters "p" and "b" are called a buddy pair. Do they share toys or something? Let's start with "b"-- buh, bear. A.B., can you show us what our mouth does to make the "buh" sound?

[whirring]

When we make the "buh" sound, first, our lips are pressed together, kind of making a straight line. Second, as the air pushes out, our mouth opens like a circle. Buh, buh, buh!

[laughs] Wow, our lips really did a lot of work on that sound.

Now, let's make the sound of the letter "p." Puh, like pig. A.B., can you show me what our mouth does to make the "puh" sound?

[whirring]

(Dusty) Wait just a minute! The picture didn't change! It's the same as "buh." Mm-hmm. You're not wrong. "Puh" and "buh" are buddies because our mouth works the same way to make them. But "buh" is noisy and "puh" isn't. Yay! We did it! Okay, I'll just take that Buddy Badge and be on my way. Uh, not yet, Dusty. But thanks for giving us that sound, A.B.

[squeals]

(Describer) Alphabott leaves.

I'm gonna get that Buddy Badge! Yes, you will! With your help, of course. Phew! All that hearing made me hungry! I think I'll tap on over to the treats. Uh, Dusty? You can have your treats after you clean your doghouse! Work hard, snack hard!

That's my motto. [children laugh]

(Describer) To us.

I don't have a motto! I just made all that up. 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] Preposterous!

You won again!

[sniffing] Oh, what's that putrid smell?

Oh, right, it's probably the pile of junk. Hey, today, let's set aside all the things with the "puh" sound. Remember, "puh, puh."

(Describer) The pile.

(junk pile) Wait! What if I gave you a pepperoni pizza? Puh-lease! I'm not falling for that trick... again. Dive, dive, dive!

[grunts]

(Describer) Dusty leaps into the pile.

Robe. rr, oh, buh. Does robe have the "puh" sound?

(children) No! Nope! I don't even wear robes. I'm a dog!

[grunting]

(Describer) Dusty pulls another item out.

Cape. kk, ay, puh. Does cape have the "puh" sound?

(child) Yeah! Yes! It's the last sound. Now I can be Super Dusty!

[echoing] -usty, -usty, -usty.

To the pile!

[grunting]

Backpack. Where's the "puh" sound in "backpack"? Ha, yeah! It's the in the second half of the word-- puh, ah, kk, as in "pack your bags, junk!"

(junk pile) Nooooo!

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

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

[laughs]

Oh, wow. Now I'm really hungry.

[sniffing]

Ooh! Let's head back to the reading room! I smell something yummy.

[sniffing] [dog howls]

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

Hey, Dusty, do you know what time it is? Uh, noon? Midnight? I have no idea.

(all) It's "Snack Time!" Oh, yeah, right, right! 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 "done." Done. Say it again, but don't say "duh." Un! Correct.

[slurps]

Say "tall." Tall. Say it again, but don't say "tt." All! Got it.

[slurps]

Say "top." Top. Say it again, but don't say "op." Tt! That's it.

[slurps]

Thanks for practicing with me. Any time, kid! Any time.

Mmm, chicken flavor! [laughter]

Got any beef? No. Shrimp flavor? No. Kimchi? Yes. Whoo! I'll take it.

(Describer) In the window, Marty and Mary climb up the curtains to the ledge.

[upbeat music]

[both grunting]

Wow! Oh! Hi, Reading Buddies! We just had such a perilous journey with many dangers. There were so many perilous, dangerous obstacle in the way, we're lucky we made it out of there! Look! I got a souvenir. We were licked by a perilous talking dog, and we climbed a giant, perilous green robot. I didn't think they were so dangerous, Marty. They were fun. They're coming over Tuesday for pizza. Ooh, that'll be fun! Oh, okay, I guess this journey wasn't so scary and perilous after all. Such a fun vacation! We should do it again next year. Sure!

(Describer) Marty looks at Mary's spoon.

Haha! Uh, Mary? You want your own souvenir, don't you? Yeah. Okay, okay. The gift shop is so cute and kitschy. Maybe that's why they call it "the kitchen."

[children laughing] Oh, yeah.

Humans--so funny.

Ho ho! Yeah. [children cheer]

Good one, Mary. [grunting]

(Describer) Marty and Mary climb down the curtains inside the house.

Wheee!

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

[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? It's a still-life of my pebble collection. See here? We already started with the jars. Oh! Can we help you draw the pebbles? I was hoping you would!

(Describer) To us.

Can you help Ziggy with his pebble jars?

(children) Yes! Great! Now, follow along. For this jar, we make a long, vertical line, straight down from top to bottom, retrace up on the same line, and draw a clockwise circle that connects. Onto the next jar. We make a long, vertical line from top to bottom, retrace just a little bit, and add a clockwise circle. That's it! See, Ziggy? One pebble's on the top, and one pebble's on the bottom. You really captured them! 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! You know, those pebbles me think of the letters in the word "pebble." Which ones? "p" and "b." Hmm. Oh! That's my new Alphabadge-- the "p-b" Buddy Badge! Well, look at that. Let's look a little closer at them, 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! Beeoop!

(Describer) Dott pulls an imaginary paintbrush from her hair.

(children) Oooh! Now, that's a good hiding place! Follow along with Dott to create the letters "p, b." Let's start with "p." We make a long, vertical line straight down, then push up on the same line, but before you get to the top, make a clockwise circle. See how the circle is connected to the top of the line? Yeah! Now, let's draw the letter "b." We make a long, vertical line straight down, then push up just a little before we make a clockwise circle. The circle is on the bottom! That's right, Dusty. Just like their voiced and unvoiced buddy sounds, their shapes are similar, but they aren't exactly the same. Can you hear the difference?

(Describer) Alphabott.

p, puh. b, buh. Did you hear that? Ha! Well, that's a magic paintbrush for you! Want to go inside and play with these sounds a bit more?

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

[funky music]

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

(Describer) Across the middle, a blue letter B bounces, followed by a marching blue letter P.

(Dott) b, buh. b, buh. p, puh. p, puh.

[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, Grandma! I'm on TV! Today, you're listening for the "puh" sound. It will be in the first, second, or even a third square. Here we go. The first word is: "deep." Deep. Duh, ee, puh. Which square has the "puh" sound? Duh, ee, puh.

(child) Third square! Yeah! I'll choose the last square.

(Describer) Dott taps it.

[dinging]

Excellent. Now it's time for a surprise round! Let's listen for the "buh" sound, like in bear. The word is: "burp." Hahahahah! Okay, okay, okay. This is serious. This is serious stuff. Ahem! Burp. Buh, err, puh. Which square has the "buh" sound? Buh, err, puh.

(child) First square! Oh, okay! Let's go with the first square, Dott.

[dinging]

(Describer) She taps it.

Correct. Alphabott, put another square on the board.

[gasps]

The last word is: "bump." Bump. Buh, uh, mm, puh. Which square has the "buh" sound? Buh, uh, mm, puh.

(child) First square! Are you sure? Yes! Okay, this one's for every slice of the pie! The first square, Dott. Oh, boy!

(Describer) Dott taps it.

[dinging]

Yeah! Way to go! Whoo hoo! Oh! I'd like to thank my Reading Buddies and, of course, the "puh" and "buh" sounds. 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! Let's go! Oh, great! Let's do it! Reggie, I'm back again!

(Describer) Outside.

Hey, you two! Hey, Reading Buddies! Oh, were you working on the Happy Camper? When are we going to drive this thing? Dusty, I'm too young to drive. But you're old enough to fix a car?

[children laugh]

[chastising squeal] Sorry, Alphabott!

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

Mmm. [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) Plop. The word is "plop." How many sounds do you hear in: puh, ll, ah, puh?

(child) Four! Four? Puh, ll, ah, puh. Plop!

[whirring]

(Reggie) Great job, Buddies!

(Describer) One bar on the battery turns green.

[beeping]

(Dusty) Deep. The word is "deep." How many sounds are in: duh, ee, puh?

(all) Three!

(Dusty) Three! Duh, ee, puh. Deep!

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

[whirring, beeping]

Pup. The word is "pup." How many sounds are in: puh, uh, puh?

(child) Three!

(Dusty) Three! Puh, uh, puh. Pup!

[whirring, beeping]

(Describer) One more bar to go.

Past. The word is "past." How many sounds are in the word: puh, ah, ss, tt?

(child) Four!

(Dusty) Four? Let's see. Puh, ah, ss, tt. Past!

[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.

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

[chuckles]

[coin rattles]

[Alphabott whirring]

Great to have you back, A.B.

[curious squealing]

Okay, A.B. Alphabott wants to transform some words that have the "puh" and the "buh" sound in them. Oh, boy! I'm so close to earning that "p-b" Buddy Badge, I can taste it. Dusty? Promise me you won't eat your "p-b" Buddy Badge. Uh... Are we going to transform some words or not? Okay, let's read this little word together.

(Describer) 'A'.

(both) Ah, duh. "Ad."

(Describer) 'D'.

Now, let's leave "ad" and add a sound to the beginning to make a longer word. How about "pad"?

(Dusty) Hmm, "puh, ah, duh." The first sound out of my mouth was "puh," so we need a "p." Yes, that's exactly right. "pad." Now, let's transform "pad" into "pod." What would I change? Puh, ah, duh. Puh, ah, duh.

[gasps] The vowel sound's different!

We need the "ah" to be changed to an "aah." Very good. We change our "a" to an "o." And now we have "pod." Now, let's change "pod" into "bod."

(Dusty) Buh, ah, duh.

[gasps] Did the first sound change?

You bet! We take the "puh" and we change it to "buh." Dust! You transformed all of those words. Ooh, good! Because my brain is full! Can we go outside? Yes, we can. We can get some fresh air in while we exercise. You want to come outside with us?

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

[squeals] [upbeat music]

(Describer) In the yard. Dusty bites a ball.

[muffled] Are you ready to--

Bleh! Are you ready to "Squat with Dott"? Dusty likes to keep us company while we get our steps in. Do you want to stand up and join us? Yeah, join us. It'll be over in a blip. First move-- the Bump. You interlace your hands together and pretend to bump a ball. Here we go. Bump and bump.

(Describer) Kitt and Cosmo join Dott.

(both) Bump and bump. Uh-huh. Bump and bump. And stop! Let's piggyback on that move. Let's add a bop! Okay, here we go. Let's get to it. Bump and bop. Five, six, seven, eight. We bump and bop.

(Describer) They bump then slap high with their hand to bop.

Bump and bop! Bump and bop! And stop! Whoa! Look at my biceps! Next move is called the "Back It Up!" You put your hands on your hips and take three steps back. Come on, back it up! Come on, Kitt! Back it up! Come on, Cosmo! Back it up. That's right, last time.

(all) Back it up! And stop. Okay, I want to put all those moves together. The Bump, Bop, and the Back It Up. Here we go. We bump, and bop, and back it up. Again! Bump and bop, and back it up. And finish! Good workout, folks. Bopping, really!

[soft music playing]

(Describer) Dusty in the bathtub.

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

(Describer) Two bubbles.

(Dott) Pin, ball. Pinball.

(Describer) Two more bubbles.

Pit, bull. Ooh! Pitbull.

(Describer) Two more bubbles.

Peb, ble. Pebble.

(Describer) Letter bubbles.

buh, ah, puh.

(Describer) 'B-O-P'.

bop.

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

[scatting] Haha!

[banjo strums]

Hi, Jampa! Hi, Dusty. Whoa! A new picture for your scrapbook? Yeah. What is that? Panda bear. A panda bear? I've heard of that. Do panda bears fly? No, Dusty. Oh, they don't? Well, where can I find a panda bear? In China, in the forest. In China, in the forest? Hey, if I found a panda bear in China, in the forest, what do you think it's gonna eat? Bamboo. Bamboo? What's bamboo? It's like a big plant? Yeah, okay, ready? Yeah.

(Describer) Jampa pretends to bite a tall plant.

Bamboo!

[munching, growling]

(Describer) Dusty pretends to gnaw a stick of bamboo.

[munches, gulps]

Thanks for sharing your scrapbook with me. Bye, Dusty. Bye, Jampa!

(Describer) In the Reading Room.

[banjo strumming]

Adventure train is pulling into the station!

[Dott talking] Wooo! Wooo!

I'm on the train! Hahahaha! Play! Time! Play! Time! Hahaha! No, no, I'm listening. Hey, Dott! Shh! Hi, Dott. Lori, I'm gonna have to call you back, okay? I'm just getting a little distracted. Okay, thank you. Hahahah! Yeah!

(Describer) Dott puts down her phone.

Hahahha! Jampa? Dusty? It was really tricky to have that conversation with all that commotion. Sorry, Dott! You know, if you need someone's attention and they seem busy, it's important to try and have patience and wait. Ugh, waiting isn't easy, Dott! No, I know! I get it. But next time you feel like you need me and I'm busy, I want to challenge you to ask yourself: "Can it wait?" Hmm! But what if I want a treat? Can it wait? Yeah, I guess so. What if I hurt my leg? If you hurt your leg? Well, it's important that if you feel hurt or scared, even if I'm busy, come find me, okay? Okay. But what if I want to show you a squirrel outside? What do you think, Dust? Can it wait? Hmm. Yes! Yes, it can! But you know? Squirrels can be really fast. Okay, Dusty. Hey, Jampa? What is it you said about an adventure train? All aboard! Whoo! Dott's gonna play!

(all) Hoo hoo! Chugga chugga chugga! Grab the wheel! Chugga chugga! Oh, this is fun!

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

(butterflies) ♪ Perilous, perilous, perilous! ♪

♪ Perilous! Perilous! ♪

"Full of danger!" 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've earned your new Alphabadge, the "p-b" Buddy Badge!

Wear it with pride. [fanfare]

Shucks, folks, I'm speechless! Hey, Jampa! Buddy Badge!

(Describer) He 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]

♪