[soft intro music]

(Describer) A woman and a dog puppet:

Best friends, we love each other till the end...

Button! [children laughing]

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

(Describer) She bonks Dusty.

Gooh! [child laughing]

The "o-i" vowel-team badge.

[birds tweeting] Oh! Oi!

[horn toots]

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

[upbeat music]

(Describer) As kids arrive outside, scenes show them playing and learning.

(all) ♪ We use our eyes ♪

♪ We use each ear ♪

♪ The letters show ♪

♪ The sounds we hear ♪

♪ Our Reading Buddies will help us grow ♪

♪ These badges show you all we know ♪

(Dott) ♪ You get a new one every time ♪

(Dusty) ♪ And with your help, we'll take that climb ♪

(all) ♪ Let's go! On a letter adventure ♪

♪ Let's go, learning's better together! ♪

♪ We're the Alphabotteers! ♪

[children laughing, cheering]

(Describer) A title: 'The Reading League's Reading Buddies.'

All right, everybody! Drop your backpacks off inside and meet back here for A.B.'s Sound of the Day! I really enjoyed that opening number today! Really enjoyed it! Uh, Dust? Huh? That means you too. Gah! Right. I'll go join the others!

[humming] [children laugh]

And you. Come on.

(Describer) A fence pops up with a sign: 'Act One.' Then a curtain rises to reveal a garden with two gnomes.

[drumroll, fanfare]

[upbeat music]

[all cheering]

Hello, Reading Buddies! I'm 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... "Spoil." Let's say it together. "Spoil" on three! One, two, three!

(all) Spoil! Spoil means: "to damage something so it's no longer useful." Hey, the Alphabotteers are coming back. See you later, alligator! In a while, crocodile! Freeze!

(Describer) In a window, a megaphone pops out of Alphabott the robot.

[military march plays]

[Alphabott squealing "fanfare"] You know what that means-- it's time for Alphabott's Sound of the Day!

(Alphabott) "oi, oi, oi."

(all) "oi, oi, oi." That's a fun sound, A.B.-- "oi" like in coin. Today, you're going to help Dusty earn the "o-i" vowel-team badge!

(all) Oooh! Let's explore this sound a little more. A.B., please show us what our mouth does when we make the "oi" sound.

[squealing]

(Dott) When we make the "oi" sound, our lips start out in a little circle, then flatten into a little smile. Our tongue starts down low in our mouth and then lifts up, almost touching the roof of our mouth. Our voice box is on.

[squeals]

Repeat after me: "oi, oi, oi."

(all) "oi, oi, oi." A.B., let's show them something special about your Sound of the Day.

(Describer) Letters c-o-i-n.

[whirring]

[dinging]

Take the word "coin." When we see a syllable that has vowels next to each other, we call that a vowel team!

[gong sounds]

They team up to make one sound. Today's vowel team is "o" and an "i." Together, they're pronounced: "oi," as in "coin." Let's read it together. kk, oi, nn. Coin!

[music sizzle]

The way a word is spelled shows us...

(all) How to read the sounds! Thanks for giving us our sound, A.B.

[squeals "You're welcome"]

Be sure to listen for that "oi" sound today, and you'll earn the "o-i" vowel-team badge. Little by little...

(all) Letter by letter! Off you go.

[military march] I'll see you inside.

[march continues]

(Describer) As the kids head inside, Dusty sneaks away.

Don't make a noise. Don't make a noise. Not so fast, Dust. Oh! Dott! You've got ears like a dog! And I mean that as a compliment. Did you clean your doghouse this morning? Why? Did you hear an oink? Because if you think I'm hiding a pig in there, then you are...

Absolutely correct. [children laugh]

Oh, I forgot to clean my room, and I'm pretty sure my pet pig is oinking around in there. Will you help me clean up all that junk?

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

[panting] [funky music playing]

(Describer) Dusty trips through a door and appears in a cartoon bedroom with a talking pile of stuff.

Hmm? Goh!

(singer) ♪ Dog dog, doggy dog ♪

♪ Doggy dog dog doghouse ♪

[panting] A, E, I, O, you win again!

Hey, let's sort out all this junk. Today, let's set aside the things that have the "oi" sound somewhere in their name. Remember-- "oi" like coin.

(junk pile) Dusty, why are you always so noisy? Oh, am I annoying to you? Dive, dive, dive! Whee! [grunts]

(Describer) Dusty digs in the pile.

[whistles] Ointment.

Oi, nn, tt, mm, eh, nn, tt. Haha! Does ointment have the "oi" sound?

(child) Yes! Yeah! Hey, is anyone else itchy?

[grunting]

[flushing] Toilet.

Tt, oi, ll, et. Does toilet have the "oi" sound?

(child) Yes! Yeah! If only I were potty trained.

(junk pile) Nooooo! See ya tomorrow, Dusty. See ya tomorrow, Junk! Hey, thanks for helping me clean all that up! Now, let's get out of here and get some fresh air!

[dog howls]

(Describer) Jampa sits outside.

[banjo strumming]

Hello, Jampa! Hello, Dusty. Is that a new picture for your scrapbook? Yeah. What's that a picture of? Soil. That soil looks a lot like dirt. It's the same thing! Soil and dirt are the same thing? So, when I dig a hole in dirt, I'm digging a hold in soil? Yes, Dusty. What do I need to grow plants? Soil. Soil, check. Water. Water, I've got. And love. And love! Thanks for sharing your scrapbook with me. Bye, Dusty. Bye, Jampa.

[banjo strumming]

(Describer) Nearby, Reggie works on Alphabott.

[upbeat squealing]

All right, A.B., now you have five different speeds, from super slow...

[slow whirring]

to super fast!

[fast whirring]

Now you have more choices to choose.

[happy whirring]

Aw, no worries, A.B. I love to spoil you! It's worth the toil.

[happy whirring]

Just wait till I go to space camp. I'm gonna learn so much more. Who knows? I might even be able to fly you to the moon.

[accelerating squealing]

Which reminds me, I got this letter from them this morning. I've been so nervous to open it. I've been on high speed all day!

(Dusty) Hey, Reggie, I need your help with something! Ah, looks like I gotta go, A.B.

See you later. [whirring]

[beeping, upbeat whirring]

(Describer) Alphabott spins. Later, Dusty looks out the window and sees Ziggy painting on Alphabott's screen.

[funky music]

Hmm. [gasps]

[grunts]

Hey, Alphabott's in art mode! Come on, let's see what they're up to.

Woah! [grunts, pants]

(Describer) He trips, then hurries over.

[Alphabott squealing] [French music playing]

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

[happy buzzing]

Hi, A.B. Hi, Ziggy. What are you drawing today? I was so inspired by Reggie's coin collection that I drew all of these coins for him. I hope he likes it. I think he'll love it, Ziggy. Hey, do you know what I see in these coins? What? The "o-i" vowel team.

[gasps] Our new Alphabadge? Ah!

I see it, too! Way to go, Dott. Oh! Well, I don't! Those aren't letters, it's a picture of a few coins. Don't worry, Dusty! We've got you covered. Will you help us show Dusty the "o-i" vowel team in these coins?

(children) Yes! Great! We'll need our magic paintbrush. Now, let me see. I know I put mine around here somewhere. Oh, I remember now. Beeeop!

(Describer) She pulls the imaginary brush from Dusty.

[magical tinkling] (children) Ooh!

First things first. We need this!

(Describer) Writing lines.

Next, we need Ziggy's coins.

[coins whistling]

(Ziggy) o-i, coin, "oi."

[squeals]

(Dott) Let's make the "o" first. Start between the dotted and the bottom line. Draw a counterclockwise circle to the left. Great! Now, the letter "i." Let's start on the dotted line and draw a short line down. Lift, and add a dot to the top. Done!

[squeals]

The "o-i" vowel team!

[letters whistle]

(Ziggy) o-i, coin, "oi."

[gasps] I saw it!

You can see so much in art! Woah! I have to rinse out my brushes. See ya later, painter!

[squeals]

I really think I'm gonna get that "o-i" vowel-team badge! Doi! With your help, of course. A.B., switch into learning mode, please.

[buzzing]

(Describer) Alphabott rocks back and forth. She pulls in her arms, and her head spins above her robot body.

[upbeat music]

[whirring, whistling]

[happy whir]

Do want to go inside and play with this "oi" sound

a bit more? (child) Yes! All right! See ya in the reading room!

[funky music]

(Describer) They head inside as Alphabott's screen counts down from six: 'alpha shorts.' Lowercase letters o and i float down, and turn into coins.

[numbers beep]

(Dott) o-i, coin, "oi." o-i, coin, "oi." o-i, coin, "oi."

(Describer) Now, a gameshow title spins over a box: 'Where Is It?'

[game-show music]

[children cheering]

(Describer) Host Dott wears glasses and holds a microphone, and Dusty wears a name tag.

♪

Welcome back to...

(all) "Where Is It?" The game show where you have to listen for a sound in a word. I'm your host, Dott! You all know our champion, Dusty! Hi, Joy! I'm on TV! Today, you're listening for the "oi" sound. It's up to you to tell us where the sound is in each word. The first word is: "voice."

(Describer) Three squares appear.

Vuh, oi, ss. Where is "oi" in "vuh, oi, ss"?

(children) The middle sound! Okay! I'm feeling that middle sound, Dott!

[whirring, happy buzzing]

(Dott) That's right! The next word is: "annoy." Annoy. Ah, nn, oi. Where is "oi" in ah, nn, oi?

(children) The last sound! Woof! Are you sure?

(all) Yes! Okay! The last sound, Dott!

[happy dinging]

Yes! And that sound means you win!

[theme music plays]

You've won some oily oysters. Eeeeeh! Join us next time, where we'll be listening for a different sound!

[applause]

[children cheering]

(Describer) Outside, Dusty wears headphones and a sweatband.

Get ready to "Squat with Dott!"

[upbeat music]

(Describer) She stretches with Kitt and Cosmo.

We're just all getting our steps in. Hey, do you want to stand up and move with us? Yeah, come on! You got this! Great! Be sure to listen for that "oi" sound while you exercise. What's up first, Dott? Our first move is called: The Point. It goes like this. I'll show you. Five, six, seven, eight.

(Describer) They point to the sky, and spin their hands down.

The Point! The Point! Try it with me! The Point! And stop! How about this, Dott? I call it "Hoist the Flag." Excellent! Do you want to try?

(Describer) She mimes pulling a rope.

Oh, good! Five, six, seven, eight. Hoist the Flag! Hoist the Flag! Hoist the Flag! And stop! The next move is: "Make Some Noise!" Well, we can definitely do that. Can you "Make Some Noise"? Okay! Five, six, seven, eight. Make Some Noise! Make Some Noise! Make Some Noise! And stop! Great workout, folks! Boisterous, really!

[bubbles popping] [soft music]

(Describer) In a bubble bath:

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

Gah! [bubbles pop]

(Describer) Bubbles with letters float into place.

(Dott) Jj, oi, nn. Join.

(Dusty) Ha, ha! Buh, oi, ng. Boing.

(Dusty) Gotcha!

[bubbles popping]

(Describer) The bubbles pop.

Dott, I'm ready to come out! My paws are pruney!

[whistling, fanfare]

(Describer) A fence pops up: 'Act Two.' In the garden:

[drumroll, upbeat music]

Oh, hi, Reading Buddies! I'm watching a new episode of my favorite TV show, "Game of Gnomes." Marty, is that the new episode? I saw it last night, and let me tell you-- No, don't tell me anything! No spoilers, Mary. I don't want you to ruin any surprises. Oh, I won't spoil anything, Marty. I'll just sit here and watch. Thank you.

[laughing]

Oh, this part's so funny! He's about to slip on a banana peel.

Mary, no spoilers! [gong sounds]

No, I missed it! Mary, don't tell me any more. You got it. Thank you. They're about to sing a song. It goes like this:

♪ Home, home on the range ♪

Mary, don't spoil the song for me! I haven't heard it yet. Aw, great! I missed it again. Mary, please, don't spoil any more surprises. I won't make a peep. Thank you.

[creature growls]

(Describer) Marty startles and falls.

[children laugh]

That was scary. Mary, why didn't you warn me about that part? I didn't want to spoil the surprise, Marty.

(both) "Spoil-- to damage something so it's no longer useful."

(all) Bravo! Bravo!

(Describer) The curtain closes as Jampa tosses daisies and claps.

(Jampa) Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

(Describer) Inside:

[funky music] Dusty loves his baths.

Well, I don't want oily fur! Of course not.

[Alphabott buzzing]

(Describer) Alphabott spins over.

[happy squeal]

Perfect timing, A.B. It's time to transform some words with the Sound of the Day in them. Alphabott, would you please give us our letters?

[happy buzzing]

(Describer) Letters o, i, and l.

Okay, let's read what we have here. "Oi, ll." Oil! Now, time to use those dog ears. What is the first sound, Dusty? That's our Sound of the Day-- "oi" like coin. Yes, that's right. See, it's spelled with the "o-i" vowel team. Now, transform "oi, ll" to "buh, oi, ll." We need "buh" as the first sound. Add a "b"! Very good. We add the letter "b" to the beginning, and now we have "buh, oi, ll." Boil! All right, can you change "buh, oi, ll" to "buh, rr, oi, ll"? What do we need to add? We have to add "rr" after the "b"! Good job. We add the letter "r" after the "b," and now we have "buh, rr, oi, ll." Okay, can you change "buh, rr, oi, ll" to "kk, oi, ll"? We have to get rid of the "buh" and "rr"! Replace them with "kk." Very good, Dust. Yes, we bring our "c" down, and now we have "kk, oi, ll." Coil! All right, now how do we transform "coil" into "kk, oi, nn"? That last sound has to be "nn"-- an "n"! Very good. We lose the letter "l" at the end and replace it with the letter "n." And now we have "kk, oi, nn." Dusty! You transformed all of those words! Thanks, A.B.

[happy buzzing]

[buzzing turns sad]

(Describer) She closes her eyes.

Oh, Alphabott's battery must be drained. She's been helping us out so much today. Hey Dusty, could you take her to Reggie for a quick charge? Sure! Hey, do you want to come with us?

(all) Okay! Sure! Haha! Great! Come on, Alphabott! Let's go!

[tired buzzing]

(Describer) Dusty brings Alphabott out to the yard.

[thumping]

[Dusty grunting]

Hey, Reggie! Would you mind giving A.B. a quick charge? Oh, of course, Dusty. Oh, hey, Reading Buddies. Come on in!

[upbeat music, whirring]

(Describer) He pushes a button on a remote, and lights flash on the camper. Bubbles float past, and the camper opens up. It has tools, a lab, and a Space Camp Fund chart.

[rattling, bubbles popping]

♪

(Describer) Reggie invites them in, and smoke drifts up from Alphabott.

[Alphabott whirring]

[gears clanking, steam hissing] Wowee zowwee! Her battery's drained. Could you help us charge Alphabott's battery?

(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]

(Alphabott) Oil.

(Dusty) Oil. The word is "oil." How many sounds do you hear in: oi, ll?

(children) Two! Let's see. Oi, ll. Oil.

[whirring] (Reggie) Wowee zowwie!

(Alphabott) Toilet.

(Dusty) Toilet. The word is "toilet." How many sounds are in: Tt, oi, ll, eh, tt?

(children) Five! Five? Let's see. Tt, oi, ll, eh, tt. Toilet!

[happy whirring] (Reggie) Impressive!

(Alphabott) Noise.

(Dusty) Noise. The word is "noise." How many sounds are in: nn, oi, zz?

(child) Three! Three? Let's see. Nn, oi, zz. Noise!

(Reggie) One more should do the trick!

(Alphabott) Voice.

(Dusty) Voice. The word is "voice." How many sounds are in: vv, oi, ss?

(child) Three! Three? Let's see. Vv, oi, ss. Voice!

[happy whirring] (Reggie) She's fully charged!

[fanfare, cheering]

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

[happy whirring]

(Describer) A heart reveals letters s-o-m-e.

(children) Awww!

(Dott) Today's heart word is: "some," as in: "Dusty, do you want some treats?"

(Dusty) Yes, please! "Some" rhymes with "gum."

(Dott) "Some" is a heart word, which means it has one or more sound spellings we may not know yet. "Some" has three sounds-- "ss, uh, mm." The first sound, "ss," is spelled with the letter "s." The last sound, "mm," is spelled with the letter "m." The second sound, "uh," is spelled with the letter "o" in this word, and there is a silent "e" at the end of the word that doesn't spell any sound. The "o" and the "e" are the two parts we have to know by heart. Let's read it together. "ss, uh, mm."

(all) Some!

[Alphabott making fanfare] Whoo-hoo!

(Describer) Inside:

Ah! A.B., you almost hit me!

[sorry whirring]

Hey, Reg, she didn't mean to. Yeah, we were just playing with all her new speeds. So many choices. You really are so smart. Who cares if I'm smart, Dusty? It doesn't matter anyway! It won't get me to space camp! Huh?

(Describer) Reggie hands Dott the letter.

"Dear space camp enthusiast, "we regret to inform you that due to your age, "we are unable to accept you into our program this year. "Please know that we admire your passion for science and hope to see you next year." Oh, Reggie. I'm so sorry. What? That's not so bad. They said they admire your passion for science! That doesn't matter right now, Dusty. I just want to be mad and sad. But why? Because sometimes, when we're feeling disappointed about something, we just want to sit with our feelings. Even if they're sad? Even if they're sad. Should we leave? Let's ask Reggie. The best way to know how to support someone is to ask. Hey, Reggie? I'm really sorry your space camp got spoiled. Do you want some alone time? I think so, Dusty. It's not you. I'm just... disappointed. That makes total sense. Feelings like this are hard. But they don't last forever. Mm-hmm, and we're here for you, when you're ready. Wonderful things are in store for you, Reggie. Wonderful things. You just don't know what they are yet.

[sighs]

I wonder. Well, that is a good place to start.

(Describer) Dott salutes him, and he salutes her back. Dott and Dusty leave, and Reggie walks over to Alphabott.

Hey, A.B., you can stay if you want.

[happy whirring]

[laughs]

[sighs]

[guitar strums]

(Describer) Outside:

And you, Dusty, I award you with your new Alphabadge, the "o-i" vowel-team badge!

Wear it with pride. [fanfare]

[applause]

Hey, look, I'm "pointing" at my "o-i" vowel-team badge. Haha! Little by little.

(all) Letter by letter!

[bus horn beeps] Time to go home!

Give your uniforms to A.B. I'll see you tomorrow.

[closing theme song plays]

(Describer) Dott says goodbye to each Alphabotteer as they leave.

(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! ♪

(all) Goodbye! Bye bye! Accessibility provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

(Describer) Credits roll as Alphabott and Dusty pop up behind the fence. Produced, Created, Written, and Performed by Andrea Dotto and Brendan Malafronte.

[upbeat music]

♪

(Describer) More credits appear. Copyright 2023 The Reading League - All Rights Reserved.

(Describer) A trademarked logo appears with a robot: The Reading League's Reading Buddies. Accessibility provided by the US Department of Education.