The Reading Game

"The Reading Game" is the 13th episode in the fourth season of Punky Brewster.

Summary
Cherie's cousins Paula (Victoria Lowery) and her baby brother Bobby (Steven Hodges) arrive for a visit, and Paula, who is about the same age as Punky and Cherie and a gifted artist, wins an art contest, but asks Punky to fill out the registration form because she is illiterate. Punky is perplexed how Paula could have advanced to her grade level without her illiteracy coming to the attention of teachers, but Paula says the smart kids admired her drawings so much they did her homework in exchange for them, thinking she does not need to worry about her illiteracy. There is trouble ahead when little Bobby gets into Henry's laundry room and drinks fabric softener, and when Paula dials 911 the EMTs cannot help her as she cannot dictate the labels on the bottle. Punky and Cherie show up and are able to read the bottle, and Bobby's life is saved, teaching Paula how important it is to know how to read.

Trivia

 * This is the second episode where reading plays a role the first was Reading, Writing, and Rock & Roll.
 * This episode also focuses on accidental poisoning.

Cast

 * Soleil Moon Frye as Punky Brewster
 * Cherie Johnson as Cherie Johnson
 * George Gaynes as Henry Warnimont
 * Susie Garrett as Betty Johnson
 * Ami Foster as Margaux Kramer
 * Sandy as Brandon "the Wonder Dog"
 * Victoria Lowery as Paula
 * Steven Hodges as Bobby