[soft intro music]

(Describer) A woman and a dog puppet:

Wow, things are so much bigger when you're a tiny little puppet, huh? Yeah, things are so much bigger for me when I'm this-- Giant Dusty! Gah!

(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... Whoop! Oooh!

(Describer) She bonks Dusty.

The "u-r" vowel-plus-r badge.

[birds tweeting] Don't worry!

I'm not hurt. Ugggh!

[horn toots]

[gasps]

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

[upbeat music] I'm coming!

Uh, just so far to run!

[upbeat music]

(Describer) As kids arrive, 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! You heard her! Everyone off the turf! Uh, Dust? Huh? That means you too. Gah! Right. I'd better hurry.

[panting] [children laughing]

And you. Come on.

[drumroll, fanfare]

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

[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... "curt." Let's say it together. "Curt" on three!

One, two, three! (all) Curt! Curt means: "rude as a result of being very quick." 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) "ur, ur, ur."

(all) "ur, ur, ur." That's a fun sound, A.B.-- "ur" like in burn. Today, you're going to help Dusty earn the "u-r" vowel-plus-r badge!

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

[squealing]

(Dott) When we make the "ur" sound, our lips are rounded, and there is some space between our upper and lower teeth. The sides of your tongue are touching your molar teeth. Your voice box is on and vibrating as it says the "rr" sound.

[squeals]

Repeat after me: "ur, ur, ur."

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

[whirring]

(Describer) Letters b-u-r-n.

[dinging]

Take this word: "burn." When we see a syllable that has one vowel plus an "r," we call that a "vowel-plus-r" syllable. They make one sound that we can learn. Today's vowel-plus-r sound as a "u" plus an "r," and together, they're pronounced "urrr" like "burn." Let's read it together. Buh, ur, nn. Burn!

[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 "ur" sound today, and you'll earn the "u-r" vowel-plus-r 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.

Scurry, scurry, scurry. Not so fast, Dust. Arrrr! What's up, Dott? Did you clean your doghouse this morning?

Ha! Ha ha! [laughing maniacally]

Hahhah! Wait, did I just burst out laughing? Oh, you guessed it! I forgot to clean my doghouse. 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!

Okay, let's sort out this pile of junk. Today, let's set aside all the things that have the "ur" sound somewhere in their name. Remember-- "ur" like burn.

(junk pile) Surprise! Ah! Oh, you got me, Junk. You got me! Haha! My turn. Dive, dive, dive! Whoo! [grunts]

(Describer) Dusty digs in the pile.

[whistles] Churro.

Ch, ur, oh. Does churro have the "ur" sound?

(child) Yes! Yeah! I know what I'm having for dessert!

[grunting]

[drumbeat] Iguana.

Ih, guh, ooh, ah, nn, ah. Ha! Does iguana have the "ur" sound?

(child) No! Nope! Go somewhere warmer.

(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!

(Describer) Dusty finds Jampa sitting outside.

[dog howls]

[banjo strumming]

Hello, Jampa! Hello, Dusty. Whoa! Is that a new picture for your scrapbook? Yeah. What is that a picture of? A turtle. A turtle! I've heard of those. Do turtles fly?

(Describer) Jampa shakes his head.

Gah! Guess not! Hey, Jampa? What? How do turtles move? On land, slowly. They move on land, slowly. Hey, what about in the water? They go fast. They go fast? Whoa! You just made me think of a game. Hey, Jampa, let's be turtles, but when I say "land," we move slow, yeah. If we're in the water, we go fast! That's a great idea. Okay, let's do it. Ready? Go! Land! Whooooohhhhoooo.

(Describer) They move in slow motion.

Now we're in the water! Ha ha, ss, ss! Land! Sloooooowwww.

(Describer) They move slow.

Water! Shh, sccchh shhhh.... Whoo! Boy, being a turtle is exhausting! Thanks for sharing your scrapbook with me, Turtle Jampa! Bye, Turtle Dusty. Bye, Turtle Jampa.

[banjo strumming]

(Describer) Nearby, Maya reads a book as Dott poses for Ziggy. She scratches her head.

[sighs]

Dott, stop moving. Sorry, Zig. Hey, do you guys want to come play a game?

(all) Yeah! You know that I love games, Reggie. Awesome! It's a guessing game. One person holds up a card with a picture, but they can't look at it. Everyone else has to give them clues to guess what the picture is. Oh, fun! Let's do it! All right.

(Describer) Reggie draws a turtle card.

Oh, it's a kind of animal! A dog, moose, pig. It likes to hide. Owl, snail, chameleon.

(Describer) Ziggy wiggles his fingers.

Oh, I know what it is! It's a turtle, isn't it? That's it! Whose turn is it next? We should put a pin in this. Reggie, Ziggy, we have to get back to our lesson. I have to go feed Dusty anyways. Let's meet back up here later? Yeah, sure. Yeah!

(Dusty) Maya? Guess what I found? Dusty, don't touch those treats!

(Describer) She hurries off.

Reggie? Ziggy.

(Describer) They open their books.

"Why," asked Linx. "What's in your bag?" Yes, keep reading.

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

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 off.

[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? My family had a cookout! It was so fun, only my mom burnt the burgers. It inspired this drawing. I call it "Burger Burn." Wow, Ziggy. Hey, do you know what else I see in your burger? What? The letters "u-r." Our new Alphabadge? Where? Whoa! I see it, too! Oh! Well, I don't! Those aren't letters, it's just a picture of a burger with a burn! Don't worry, Dusty! We've got you covered. Hey, will you help us show Dusty the letters "u-r" in this burnt burger?

(child) 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! (children) Ooh! First things first. We need this!

(Describer) Writing lines.

Now, we need Ziggy's burnt burger.

[burger whistling]

(Ziggy) u-r, burn, "ur." We'll make the "u" first. Let's all start on the dotted line. Now, we make a little cup, like this. We add a short, vertical line down, and we're done! Time for the "r." We start on the dotted line. Short, vertical line down, half a hump, and there we go! Done!

[squeals]

"U-r" vowel-plus-r.

[letters whistle]

(Ziggy) u-r, burn, "ur."

[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 "u-r" vowel-plus-r badge! You'll earn it, Dusty! 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 you want to go inside and play with this "ur" sound a bit more? All right! See ya in the reading room!

(Describer) They head in as Alphabott's screen counts down: 'alpha shorts.' Letters u and r appear, and light on fire.

[numbers beep]

(Dott) u-r, burn, "ur." u-r, burn, "ur." u-r, burn, "ur."

(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, Kurt! I'm on TV! Today, you're listening for the "ur" sound. It's up to you to tell us where the sound is in each word. The first word is: "curl." Kk, ur, ll.

(Describer) Three squares appear.

Where is "ur" in "kk, ur, ll"?

(children) The middle sound! Okay! The middle sound, Dott!

[whirring, happy buzzing]

(Dott) Oh, yeah! Let's add another sound.

[beeping]

The last word is: "purple." Puh, ur, puh, ll. Where is "ur" in puh, ur, puh, ll?

(child) The second sound! Okay! The second sound, Dott!

[happy dinging]

That sound means you win!

[theme music plays]

You've won a purple turnip!

(all) Ohhh! Join us next time, where we'll be listening for a different sound!

[applause]

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

[children cheering]

Get ready to "Squat with Dott!"

[upbeat music]

(Describer) She stretches with Kitt and Cosmo.

We're all just 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 "ur" sound while you exercise. What's up first, Dott? Our first move is called: "The Turkey Lurkey." It's one of my favorites.

(Describer) She raises her arms and wiggles her head.

Here we go! The Turkey Lurkey! The Turkey Lurkey! The Turkey Lurkey! And stop! How about this, Dott? I call it "The Surprise." Oh! Excellent!

(Describer) Kitt holds out her hands and feet.

Okay, we can do that. Ready? Five, six, seven-- The Surprise! Uh-huh. Surprise! Uh-huh. Surprise! And stop! How about this one? It's called "The Surf's Up!" Oh, we can do that. Yeah. Ready? Come on, with Cosmo. Five, six, seven, eight. The Surf's Up. The Surf's Up! Tubular! That's what they say, right? Right! Stop! Nice workout, folks! Surprising, really! Yeah, right!

[bubbles popping] [soft music]

(Describer) In a bubble bath:

Splash, splash, splash. Woof! That workout made me sweat. Look at all these bubbles. Let's get popping! Haha!

[bubbles pop]

(Describer) Bubbles with letters float into place.

(Dott) Buh, ur, nn. Burn.

(Dusty) More like pop! Haha! Buh, ll, ur. Blur.

(Dusty) Check, please!

[bubbles popping]

(Describer) The bubbles pop.

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

[whistling, fanfare]

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

[drumroll, upbeat music]

Oh, hi, Reading Buddies! We got a Magic Fate Ball! That's right. We ask the ball a question, shake it, and it tells us the answer. It could even tell us our future. Whooo! I'll go first. Will I be rich and famous?

(ball) No. Well, that was a little curt. How rude! Let me try. Shake, shake, shake! What will I get on my birthday?

(ball) Hey, pal, gosh! You're gonna get a new hat! Gee, you're gonna look great! Way to go, you!

(Mary) Oh, how sweet. It wasn't curt to me. Maybe if you ask it nicely, you'll get a nice answer. Good idea! Hey, beautiful Fate Ball, could you please tell me what I'm gonna get on my birthday?

(ball) Older. Okay, that was curt.

(both) "Curt-- rude as a result of being very quick"

[applause]

(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.

It's the reason my fur is so purrr-fect. Wait! Am I becoming a cat? No, Dust.

[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 h, u, r, and t.

Okay, let's read what we have here. "Huh, ur, tt." Hurt. Time to use those dog ears. What sound is in the middle, Dust? I hear it! That's our Sound of the Day-- "ur," like burn. Yes, the letters "u-r." Now, how can we transform "huh, ur, tt" to "huh, ur, ll"? We need "ll" instead of "tt." Very good! We replace the letter "t" with the letter "l" at the end to get "huh, ur, ll"-- hurl! Okay. Can you transform "huh, ur, ll" to "kk, ur, ll"? I hear it. The first sound in "curl" is "kk," so we need a "c" there, I think. Very good! That's right. We replace the letter "h" with the letter "c" to get "curl." Curl! Okay, Dust. Can you transform "kk, ur, ll" to "kk, ur, buh"? "Buh." Yep, I hear it! We have to switch out "ll" for "buh." Very good! We replace the letter "l" with the letter "b" to get "kk, ur, buh." Curb! Okay, Dust, one more. Can you transform "kk, ur, buh" to "kk, ur, duh"? We have to switch the "buh" for "duh." Good boy! We replace the letter "b" with the letter "d" to get "kk, ur, duh." Curd! Dusty, you transformed all those words! Thanks, Alphabott.

[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]

♪

[Alphabott whirring]

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

[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) Blurt.

(Dusty) Blurt. The word is "blurt." How many sounds do you hear in: buh, ll, ur, tt?

(children) Four! Four? Let's see. Buh, ll, ur, tt. Blurt.

[whirring] (Reggie) Wowee zowwie!

(Alphabott) Burp.

(Dusty) Burp. The word is "burp." How many sounds are in: buh, ur, puh?

(child) Four! Hmm, let's try it. Buh, ur, puh.

[clanking sounds] Ooh, let's try again.

Buh, ur, puh.

(voice) Three. Three? Let's see. Buh, ur, puh. Burp!

[happy whirring] (Reggie) Halfway there, Buddies.

(Alphabott) Turn.

(Dusty) Turn. The word is "turn." How many sounds are in: tt, ur, nn?

(child) Three! Three? Let's see. Tt, ur, nn. Turn!

(Reggie) One more should do the trick!

(Alphabott) Fur.

(Dusty) Fur. The word is "fur." How many sounds are in: ff, ur?

(child) Two! Two? Ff, ur. Fur!

[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 y-o-u-r.

(children) Awww!

(Dott) Today's heart word is: "your," as in: "Dusty, are you ready for your dinner?"

(Dusty) Always! "Your" rhymes with "core."

(Dott) "Your" is a heart word, which means it has one or more sound spellings we may not know yet. "Your" has two sounds-- "yuh, or." The first sound, "yuh," is spelled with the letter "y." The next three letters are the tricky part. They spell the sound "or" in this word. That's the part we have to know by heart. Let's read it together. "yuh, or."

(all) Your!

(Describer) Outside, Maya holds up a card with cheeseburger on it.

Okay, back to it. Bring it on! Um, it's a food. Turnips! What? No... It's like a sandwich. You can hold it like this and eat it like this. Hmm.

(Describer) Ziggy tries to talk.

You can cook it outside. It has layers. You can put ketchup on it. Oh, a burger! Yep, you got it.

[sighs] I didn't get to give a single clue that time.

Reggie just kept on burning out ideas. You did seem to be in a bit of a hurry, Reggie. It's okay to slow down. We're in this together. Was I? I'm sorry, guys. I--I'm really sorry, Ziggy. Sometimes when I'm playing a game, I just get so caught up in the moment that I forget that other people want to play too. Will you forgive me? Thanks. Of course. Let's play another round! Your turn, Dott. Oh! Okay, okay, okay. Upside-down. Flip it around.

(Describer) She holds a surfer.

Uh, it's a sport. Soccer, basketball! Baseball? You do it in the water. Scuba diving.

(Describer) They Alphabotteers think, then stand up and pretend to surf.

[scatting "surf" theme]

Ha! It's surfing! Come up with us.

[all scatting surf theme]

(all) Naa naa naa! Naa naa!

(Describer) Dott surfs with them. Later, she holds up a badge.

And you, Dusty, I award you with your new Alphabadge, the "u-r" vowel-plus-r badge!

Wear it with pride. [fanfare]

[applause]

Hey, I'm as surprised as you are. Ho! 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 roll. 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.