♪ Every day when you're walking down the street ♪ ♪ Everybody that you meet has an original point of view ♪ (laughing) ♪ And I say hey ♪ Hey!

♪ What a wonderful kind of day ♪ ♪ If we could learn to work and play ♪ ♪ And get along with each other ♪ ♪ You've got to listen to your heart, listen to the beat ♪ ♪ Listen to the rhythm, the rhythm of the street ♪ ♪ Open up your eyes, open up your ears ♪ ♪ Get together and make things better ♪ ♪ By working together ♪ ♪ It's a simple message, and it comes from the heart ♪ ♪ Believe in yourself, for that's the place to start ♪ ♪ And I say hey ♪ Hey!

♪ What a wonderful kind of day ♪ ♪ If we could learn to work and play ♪ ♪ And get along with each other ♪ Hey!

♪ What a wonderful kind of day ♪ Hey!

♪ What a wonderful kind of day ♪ Hey!

Hey, D.W.!

Hey!

Whoa...

There are some people who just love being in the spotlight.

FRANCINE: No, let me go!

I won't do it!

They're natural born leaders who feel just as comfortable on stage as they do in their own rooms.

Coming through!

MUFFY: Francine, come back!

BUSTER: You said you wanted to do this.

FRANCINE: I changed my mind!

And there's no one I know who fits this description more than... Francine.

ARTHUR and MUFFY: Speech!

Speech!

Speech!

Speech!

Uh... uh... (gasps) Um, we're experiencing technical difficulties.

Thank you for your patience.

Start the show!

(birds chirping) (brook babbling) Here we go.

The perfect spot for a picnic.

Uh, guys?

BUSTER: You should come and look at this.

MUFFY: Ew!

Why are all those fishies dead?

I don't know, but I just lost my appetite.

I know, that creek gets worse and worse.

It's mainly due to the way people care for their lawns.

What do lawns have to do with it?

Some fertilizers contain toxic chemicals.

When we use too much or let the water spill into the streets, it ends up in the creek.

So someone's green lawn can wind up killing fish?

That's terrible!

I know.

But it's pretty hard to get people to change their habits.

(music playing) My lawn is green, but I wish it was even greener.

I want it to be so green that it glows in the dark!

Hmm...

I know!

I'll use some extra lawn fertilizer.

Hey, that Sneaky Pete is using extra lawn fertilizer!

There's no way I'm going to let his grass be greener than mine!

Nice lawn, Mr. Smith.

Looking good, Mr. Jones.

FRANCINE: Lawn fertilizer.

It sounds harmless, but if you use too much or don't follow the directions, those chemicals can end up...

Here.

And nothing can live without clean drinking water.

Don't believe me?

Just ask them.

A green lawn is nice, but it shouldn't cost this much.

ARTHUR: It looks so professional!

Since I put it up yesterday on YouWhoTube, we have 429 views.

Someone from the Elwood City parks department called.

They'd like one of you to give a speech about lawn care at the Earth Day rally.

Wow!

That's a pretty big event.

Who should do it?

Oh, I will!

It'll also be a great opportunity to promote Alien Awareness Day.

Guys, I think the choice is pretty obvious.

We need someone fearless, someone who commands respect and is not afraid to speak her mind.

I accept.

Muffy Crosswire?

Speaking about the environment?

(laughs) I'll have you know the Crosswires are very green!

We only use 100% natural modified growth hormones on our lawn.

I vote for Francine.

I second it.

Those events never get any media coverage anyway.

Well, Francine?

Do you want to do it?

It's a big responsibility.

Okay.

I guess I've already spoken to 429 people on the Internet.

How hard can this be?

Very informative report on Portugal, George.

Next up is Francine, whose presentation is about Luxembourg.

Mr. Ratburn, may I introduce her?

Just a little advance press for your big speech.

As some of you may know, Francine will be speaking at the Earth Day rally next week to thousands of people!

MUFFY: We all know she's a great public speaker, but let's give her a little extra encouragement and support.

(cheering) Um, thanks.

Okay... Luxembourg.

Whose motto might be, "We're not as small as Liechtenstein!"

(nervous laughter) Oh, I should have said first that Luxembourg is really small.

And so is Liechtenstein.

That's why it's funny.

Okay... Well, the capital city is Luxembourg, which is actually the same name as the country.

Um... potatoes.

They love potatoes in Luxembourg.

In fact, there's this saying I found... Something with potatoes... Um...

The end!

Okay, your presentation was a disaster, but it was just a silly report on an unremarkable nation.

Yeah, and I still got nervous.

If I can't even talk to my class, how am I going to talk to a big crowd?

You have lots of time to practice.

Great!

Test it out on me.

(clears throat) "Ladies and gentlemen, I know I'm only a third-grader..." You're losing me.

What?

Boring!

I just started.

(fake snoring) That's it!

I quit!

What?

I'm just being a tough crowd.

Try again.

This time, relax and be yourself.

But better.

LADONNA: Hey, I overheard you.

If you want, I can help you.

We had public speaking at my old school.

I was pretty good at it.

Thanks, Ladonna, but I think I know a little more about winning people over than you.

My dad sells cars.

Why are you giving me this pen?

That's not just any pen, Muffy.

I've been saving it for when I find the person who would do anything to help their friend, even if it meant letting that friend go.

Today, I think I've found the person who deserves that pen.

Am I right, Muffy Alice Crosswire?

Is that person you?

Uh-huh.

So you'll let me help Francine?

Uh-huh.

Great!

Okay, let's start with breathing.

In from the diaphragm, out through the mouth.

What just happened?

Hey, there's my pen!

I knew I dropped it somewhere.

Thanks.

(sighs) FRANCINE: "So in short, if we take care of our planet, "it'll keep on taking care of us.

Thank you."

That was great!

You're going to be the hit of the rally.

I am?

Of course.

All you have to do is listen to me.

First thing, I want that speech memorized.

You should be able to give it in your sleep.

Let's hear it again.

(sighs) "Ladies and gentlemen, I know I'm just..." Up at me!

You're talking to people, not paper.

"Ladies and gentlemen..." Smile.

This isn't a funeral.

"Ladies and gentlemen..." "It was filled with dead fish.

So my friends and I decided to do something about it."

Again!

(yelling): "And those fertilizers can contain nitrates and phosphates!"

Did you say "ice skates and moss plates"?

"Nitrates and phosphates!"

Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma... Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma... Wah-wah-wah-whah... Wah-wah-wah-whah... (sneezing) (sneezing) No, that was real.

No, that was real.

(sighs) "And if we take care of our planet, "it'll keep on taking care of us.

Thank you."

Francine, I think you're ready.

There's just one little thing left to do.

Give it in front of an audience.

(gasps) Prepare to engage Responsible Lawn Care Speech.

Oh, Captain!

The anxiety capacitators have been overloaded.

We've lost control of all voice functions.

Put us on autopilot.

I can't!

The courage boosters aren't responding!

Come on, Francine.

Keep it together.

You can do this.

Uh...

It was short, but very powerful.

I can't do it.

Sure you can.

It's just one little speech.

Yeah, one little speech in front of a huge crowd of strangers!

And the worst part is this is an issue I really care about.

If only someone else could do it.

Hey... LADONNA: Ladies and gentlemen, this speech is by Francine Frensky, a tireless crusader for the environment and my friend.

(clears throat) "I know I'm only a third grader, "but I know a lot about the environment because I play in it every..." Oh!

So as I was saying...

Fascinating thing, lawns.

You see, if you use too much, uh, nitrous-phishface...

It's okay.

I got it.

If you get nervous, just say the speech to me.

Um...

I've discovered two things in the past week: that our creek is polluted and that I'm a terrible public speaker.

(audience laughing) I play outside every day-- yes, even when it's raining-- and this all started when I was having a picnic with my friends by this creek...

So in short, this is the only home we have.

Let's take care of this yard as well as we take care of our own yards.

Thank you.

(cheering) You were amazing!

That was even better than the speech you wrote.

It was?

I don't even remember what I said.

Don't worry, I filmed it all and I've already uploaded it onto YouWhoTube.

You'll probably be flooded with invitations to speak.

No!

No more public speaking!

But you're so good at it.

And now... Our animals live in the tundra.

Your groups are going to give an oral presentation.

STUDENT: We are in third grade, and our teacher is Ms. Thompson.

Your groups are going to be organized by habitat.

All of our animals live in the rain forest.

A habitat is a place where an animal lives.

A parrot gathers seeds, nuts and fruit.

And today, we are going to present those research projects.

Welcome to the desert.

Have you ever felt nervous about presenting information?

It makes me nervous when I have to get up and everybody's looking at me and they're expecting me to say something.

Francine gets a little bit nervous about giving her presentation.

If I was Francine, I would do it and try my best, and if I make a mistake, I'll just forget about it.

Here are some tips for public speaking: stand up straight, don't be fidgety, and always remember to smile.

Try not to do this: Um, um, like, um... MS. THOMPSON: What are some of the things you do to help yourselves out when you feel nervous?

Take a deep breath.

You just pretend that everyone is invisible.

Our animals live in the ocean.

Dolphins are completely adapted to water.

They may seem like giant fish, but they're not.

Dolphins are mammals.

They breathe like we do.

Imagine being a sea otter swimming in the beautiful sea, floating on the top of the water.

I have faith in myself that I can do it, and I encourage myself.

I like giving an oral presentation because I'm teaching kids something that they might not know.

You're showing your personality.

And I think that's just fun!

(applause) And now... Blizzards are fun!

(whispering) Oh.

After a blizzard is fun.

Apparently during a blizzard it's not fun, because it's all blizzardy.

But after a blizzard, there's enough snow to build not just a snow fort, but an entire snow town-- with snow buildings and snow cars and snow buses.

(whispering) Never mind, scratch that.

But after a big blizzard, there's enough snow to build the tallest snowman in the world!

(whispering) Never mind.

Scratch that, too.

I don't really know what happens after a blizzard, because I've never been in one.

But in summary, blizzards are awesome!

(whispering) I'm so glad it's finally warm enough to ride our bikes again.

Me too!

Let's go!

Woo-hoo!

(thumping) That didn't last long.

(sighs) When is this old snow going to melt?

It's disgusting.

(someone squealing) What's that sound?

It's a pterodactyl!

Run!

LADONNA: Have you heard the news?

It's so exciting!

You built a robotic Buster to do all my chores?

No, the weatherman says there's going to be a huge blizzard tomorrow!

I'm finally going to get to see my first really big snow, and I'm going to the store to buy skis and a toboggan and a snow shovel.

(squealing) (squealing) Stop making that sound!

(squealing) What?

Nice?

Sunny?

Happy birds?

No!

I guess the snow stopped.

But there's a little new snow left!

Enough to make a snowball to splat you with.

(chuckling) Greetings, Bud.

Whatcha doin'?

Even better.

Oh, nothing much.

Just, uh... Splatting you with a snowball.

Ha!

Amateur.

You've got to pack the snow tight, and round the snowball off with each new layer.

See?

Wow!

Will you teach me your ways?

Yes, young one.

But you must promise me one thing: don't get too attached to your snowball and end up saving it in your freezer.

What?

Save it?

In a freezer?

No way!

Who would do that?

Oh.

Sorry, O Wise One.

I won't save it.

I'm going to splat someone with it.

But not you anymore.

Snow on tree branches is the best kind for snowballs.

Let's continue your training in the park.

Hi, Ladonna!

Isn't it a beautiful day?

Don't rub it in.

The weatherman said the big storm went around us.

But it snowed a little.

Yeah, we can still make a snowman.

Look!

Is it supposed to snow again soon?

The weatherman said this was probably the last snow of the season.

"Warm sunny days ahead!"

(sighs) That's awful.

Just awful.

We have to cheer her up, Buster.

How?

We can't make it snow.

No, we can't.

But there might be someone who can.

BRAIN: The rocket will achieve an altitude above dew point, then release the H2O in its fuselage as a mist, which will come back to earth as a fine ice-based precipitate.

Uh-huh, right, totally.

I don't get it.

Rocket go "boom," make snow.

Ah, got it!

I knew you could do it, Brain.

All right, everyone, stand back.

Let's light this candle.

Three, two, one, blast off!

Dew point threshold crossed.

H2O emission... Now!

Parachute opening.

And we are go for snow in five, four, three, two, one... ARTHUR: It's snowing!

You did it!

(cheering) Now, to create a blizzard, I need to make 3,597 more rockets, which will take until July 9.

(gasping) Of next year.

(groaning) Time for Plan B. I really hoped it wouldn't come to this.

So Arthur, you have a business proposition?

Shrimp?

Yes, please!

I'll save some for later, too.

Uh, as you know, Muffy, Ladonna just moved here, so she hasn't played in a lot of snow, and it's getting sunny again.

So we were hoping maybe you could somehow make it snow?

Rich people can do that, right?

Actually, yes.

I know a place that sells snow machines.

But they cost $763.

(gulping) Cash or check?

(gulping) Like this?

Good, very good.

But remember, snowballs don't last forever.

Especially if you have a brother, because he might take it and lie about it for the rest of his life.

(gasps) I mean, uh, carry on.

I'm running out of ideas, Buster.

That's better than me.

I've never had any.

Wait!

Remember the straight-to-video hit movie Bionic Bunny Versus the Snowmen From Mars?

Of course!

Who could forget the classic line, "Take me to your freezer."

Do you know what the special effects team used for snow in that movie?

BOTH: Soap suds!

So they blindfolded me and spun me around and I walked right out the front door.

But I still pinned the tail on the donkey, because our neighbors had a real donkey.

Thankfully it wasn't a pin, it was... Ta-da!

Why is the park covered in soap suds?

It's not soap, it's snow!

Come play in it.

BUSTER: It's big snow fun time!

Whoa!

(groaning) This is rare, extra slippery snow.

That's because it's soap.

Look, you can build a snowman!

You mean a sudsman.

BUSTER: Snowball fight!

Snowball... fight.

(sniffing) Snow does not smell lemony fresh.

Y'all aren't fooling anyone.

This is soap.

Sorry, Ladonna.

We were just trying to cheer you up.

Are you angry?

No, you're sweet for trying to cheer me up.

But I sure do wish it would snow again for real.

I know what'll cheer you up-- a pocket shrimp.

Here!

Um, I'm good.

Thanks for trying to make me feel better, guys.

But I guess I'm not going to see a lot of snow after all.

Huh!

More for me.

Nice work, Bud.

What do you think?

I think it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

Uh-oh.

Perfect timing.

There's your sister.

Splat her!

You mean with Bally?

You named it?

I can't throw Bally.

He's perfect.

Aren't you, Bally?

Yes, you are, my big Bally-Wally.

I'm going to save you in my freezer forever.

(sighs) (chirping) (blows a raspberry) (gasps) (sighs) (squealing) BUD: Mom, she's making the sound again!

(Ladonna squealing) Look at me, I'm skiing!

Woo-hoo!

(groans) Are you all right, Ladonna?

I'm great!

I skied!

Woo-hoo!

I was really sorry to hear that Bally puddled, Bud.

Thanks.

I'm just taking it one day at a time.

I know what will cheer you up.

Here.

Nothing can replace Bally.

It's not to keep.

It's to throw.

Go ahead.

It'll make you feel better.

Splat away.

Hey, that did help!

Good, you're healing.

That's a little too much healing.

Snowball fight!

(laughing) Gotcha!

Look at me!

I'm sledding!

Whoa!

(groans) Woo-hoo!

BRAIN: Guys, did you hear?

They closed school.

It's a snow day!

(squealing) Hey, you sound like me.

You can get tired of snow, but you never get tired of snow days.

(everyone squealing) ♪ ♪ ARTHUR: To watch more Arthur and play games with all the Elwood City friends, visit pbskids.org.

You can find Arthur books and lots of other books, too at your local library.

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org