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Transcript: Deborah the Dragon
Mr. Hugo’s Little Library
Descriptive Transcript
[Logo] “t.v.o kids original.” The animated multicoloured logo bounces onto a white background. The word "kids" has an eye in the orange letter "d" and a smile in the lime green letter "s".
CHILD: Weeeeee
[Children giggling]
[Light music]
DESCRIPTION: In live action, it is dark in Mr. Hugo’s Little Library, the windows are boarded up, the lights are turned off, and sheets cover the bookshelves. Beneath the dust, the whimsical library is lined with colourful books along the curved bookshelves. The library has blue walls, a pink cuckoo clock, a red velvet desk, crocheted pillows, and reading nooks.
[Soft enchanting music]
[Cuckoo clock chiming]
DESCRIPTION: Suddenly, a blue cuckoo with pink feather plumes and a yellow beak bursts through the doors on the cuckoo clock. The lights turn on, illuminating the library.
[Rooster crowing]
DESCRIPTION: A bed pops out from under a large desk. Mr. Hugo sits up in the bed and stretches. Mr. Hugo, the Little Library’s librarian, has dark brown curly hair and a bushy brown mustache twisted and waxed at each end. He wears makeup with rosy cheeks, a pink-and-blue striped nightgown, and a matching pyjama hat.
[Bright, sparkling music]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo stands up and leans on the desk. A bedazzled pink mug magically slides across the desk and into Mr. Hugo’s hand. He looks up at the ceiling and smiles.
MR. HUGO: Thank you, Library.
DESCRIPTION: The lights in the library flash.
[Lights hum]
[Dewey cooing softly]
MR. HUGO: Morning, Dewey!
DESCRIPTION: On the desk, Dewey, a fluffy striped green-and-orange bookworm puppet with a voluminous head of bright orange hair, uses a book as a pillow while sleeping. Dewey wakes up.
[Dewey sighing]
[Dewey, in gibberish]: Morning!
MR. HUGO: What's the happity haps?
[Dewey curious, upbeat babbling]
MR. HUGO: Ah, I'll clean the library when I'm good and ready.
[Bright music]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo spreads his arms at his sides and, with a smile, his pyjamas magically tear away, revealing his daytime outfit: a red suit jacket, a pink-and-blue-checked shirt, a mustard-yellow vest, and a green bow tie.
MR. HUGO: Okay, I'm ready!
[Upbeat theme song]
[Opening credits] “A T.V.N.Z Original”.
DESCRIPTION: In the opening sequence, various videos show Mr. Hugo reading to his friends: a blonde-haired girl, a girl with brown hair in pigtails and a boy with brown, braided hair.
MR. HUGO [singing]: Do you like big adventures?
SINGERS [chorus]: Yeah!
DESCRIPTION: The children hang out in the library with Mr. Hugo. The library’s bookshelves move around on their own. Various clips show Drag Queens dressed like witches, astronauts, mermaids, circus ringmasters, magicians, and dancing princesses.
MR. HUGO [singing]: Do you like mysteries?
SINGERS [chorus]: Uh-huh!
MR. HUGO [singing]: What about space and mermaids?
SINGERS [chorus]: Yeah!
MR. HUGO [singing]: Well, that sounds good to me! Do you like whacky factoids?
SINGERS [chorus]: Yeah!
MR. HUGO [singing]: Do you like fairytales?
SINGERS [chorus]: Uh-huh!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo takes a book from a bookshelf, revealing Dewey.
MR. HUGO [singing]: Are you fond of herpetological phenomenology?
[Music pauses]
DESCRIPTION: The Drag Queen ensemble, the children, and Dewey glance around with confused looks.
SINGERS [chorus]: Uh... What's what? What, huh?
[Music resumes]
MR. HUGO [singing]: Well, you can find whatever you like At Mister...
SINGERS [chorus]: Mister!
MR. HUGO [singing]: Hugo's
SINGERS [chorus]: Hugo's!
MR. HUGO [singing]: Little library
[Title]: “Mr. Hugo’s Little Library”.
[Opening sequence ends]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo uses a feather duster to dust a pink chandelier.
[Glass chandelier clinking melodically]
MR. HUGO: Oh, stop giggling, Library. You're too old to be ticklish.
[Humming]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo stands next to Dewey.
MR. HUGO: Ah... Today, my plan is to do some light reading followed by some heavy reading, then, to change things up, a little bit of reading.
[Mr. Hugo sighs wistfully]
MR. HUGO: Just another ordinary day at Mr. Hugo's Little Library.
[Knocking at the door]
[Girl’s voice]: Kia ora! Hello? Anyone home?
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo turns to Dewey with a concerned expression.
MR. HUGO: That's out of the ordinary.
DESCRIPTION: Suddenly, the young girl with blonde hair, wearing a black sweater, black skirt, and black boots, slides into the Little Library through the wall on a playground slide.
[Enchanting music]
BLONDE-HAIRED GIRL: Excuse me, are you open?
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo and Dewey hide behind the desk.
MR. HUGO: That slide is for book returns, not child arrivals!
DESCRIPTION: Just then, two more children slide into the Little Library. The boy with brown, braided hair and a red tracksuit and the girl with her brown hair in pigtails wears a yellow sweater and a pink backpack.
BOY: Did someone say something?
MR. HUGO: Yes! We're closed!
BROWN-HAIRED GIRL: He said, "Yes, they're closed!"
BOY: Who's he?
DESCRIPTION: The children approach the desk, and Mr. Hugo stands up.
BLONDE-HAIRED GIRL: Hi, I'm Georgie.
MR. HUGO: Oh. Kia ora, Georgie, I didn't see you there. My name is Mr. Hugo, but you can call me… Mr. Hugo. I'm the librarian around these parts, and this is my assistant, Dewey.
[Dewey, in gibberish]: Hi, everyone!
GEORGIE: Nice to meet you. These are my friends, Arlo and Tia.
BOY: I'm Arlo.
BROWN-HAIRED GIRL: Which makes me Tia. Hi, Dewey.
[Dewey, in gibberish]: Hi, Tia!
DESCRIPTION: The children crowd around Mr. Hugo.
GEORGIE: Do you have any books on drawing?
ARLO: Or how to win at tennis?
TIA: Or the life cycle of the monarch butterfly? Ideally, focusing on the crucial third, chrysalis phase?
MR. HUGO: Yes, yes, and yes.
KIDS: Yes! Yes!
DESCRIPTION: Arlo, Georgie, and Tia smile.
MR. HUGO: Oh, but you can't have them.
DESCRIPTION: The children frown. The Little Library’s chandelier chimes as the lights flicker.
[Glass clinking melodically]
MR. HUGO: Keep out of this, Library. I haven't finished reading all the books, therefore I can't, in good conscience, lend them to you. Plus, we're closed. And also, I don't want to.
GEORGIE: That's not how libraries work.
MR. HUGO: It's how Mr. Hugo's Little Library works. Now, off you pop. Chippity chop.
[Light music]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo walks away from the children. Two bookcases magically slide in front of him, blocking his path.
ARLO: Excuse me, but is your library magic?
MR. HUGO: Yes. All libraries are magic. I thought everyone knew that.
TIA: Wow.
[Bright music]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo pushes the two bookcases apart and continues walking. Another bookcase slides in front of him. The Little Library magically pushes a book in front of Mr. Hugo’s face.
GEORGIE: And does it always do that?
MR. HUGO: Only when it's showing off.
ARLO: I think it wants you to read that.
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo tries to push the book back in place.
MR. HUGO [straining]: Whatever gave you that idea?
DESCRIPTION: The book pops back out.
[Mr. Hugo panting]
TIA: That's what gave us that idea.
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo rolls his eyes and smiles. He takes the book from the shelf.
MR. HUGO: Fine. Who wants me to read a book?
DESCRIPTION: Georgie, Tia, and Arlo all raise their hands.
[Dewey, in gibberish]: Me too!
DESCRIPTION: Georgie, Arlo, and Tia turn around to look at Dewey.
TIA: What did he say?
MR. HUGO: He said, "me too". Against my will, I shall read you this story in a ridiculously fabulous fashion. Haere mai. Come with me.
[Bright music]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo sits down on a red velvet seat. Arlo, Tia, and Georgie sit on the attached red velvet couch. A bright spotlight shines in Mr. Hugo’s eyes.
[Bright sparkling chime]
MR. HUGO: Argh… Thank you, Library. Um... a touch lower?
DESCRIPTION: The light shines on Georgie.
MR. HUGO: To the right?
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo’s knees are illuminated.
MR. HUGO: Little closer?
DESCRIPTION: The Little Library magically shines a spotlight on Mr. Hugo’s book.
MR. HUGO: Perfect. Me paanui taatou, let's read together. Are you ready?
DESCRIPTION: The children nod.
MR. HUGO: I can't hear you. I said, are you ready?!
CHILDREN [loudly]: Yes!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo winces at the shouting.
MR. HUGO: Shh! This is a library!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo smiles playfully.
[Children giggling]
MR. HUGO: Just kidding, you can be as loud as you'd like. Today's story is "Deborah the Dragon" by Paige Turner.
[Enchanting music]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo is magically transported into the story. He is dressed like a Renaissance King, wearing a fur cape, a tulle neck scarf, a golden crown, and a tall wig. Mr. Hugo stands at a golden podium and reads the book aloud. Behind him, a stage is decorated with a cave, glowing tile floors, and a sun.
MR. HUGO: Once upon a time… there was a dragon named Deborah.
DESCRIPTION: Deborah the Dragon steps out of the cave, onto the stage. She wears a voluminous pink wig, glamorous makeup, long nails, and has green scales, blue wings, and long horns.
[Deborah roaring]
MR. HUGO: And she was oh so lonely.
DEBORAH: I am oh so lonely.
MR. HUGO: But there's one thing you should know about Deborah the dragon. She love, love, loved treasure,
DESCRIPTION: Deborah kisses one of her rings.
MR. HUGO: and would do anything to get it.
[Wind howling]
DESCRIPTION: Deborah holds up her arms and soars through the sky.
[Tense music]
MR. HUGO: Including, but not limited to, crushing small to mid-sized villages!
DESCRIPTION: Deborah stomps her foot on the ground.
MR. HUGO: Flying to foreign lands and stealing stuff that wasn't even hers! And swiping her friends' things when they weren't looking!
DESCRIPTION: Deborah picks up a massive, golden chess piece, a golden cricket bat, and a set of golden ping pong paddles.
[Deborah cackling]
MR. HUGO: Until one fine day, Deborah realised...
DEBORAH: Ha! I've snaffled all the best golden things in all the land! Mwah-hahahahaha!
[Laughing]
[Coughing]
MR. HUGO: That Monday, she had an unexpected visitor. Presenting Princess Pania of Paeroa!
DESCRIPTION: Princess Pania twirls onto the stage wearing a tall, pink cone-shaped headdress with a long, billowing, silk scarf. She is dressed in a pink, Medieval– style Princess dress and wears a long brown wig.
PANIA: The best cricket player in the greater Waikato region!
[Crowd cheering]
PANIA: Kia ora, Deborah. I heard you have the only golden cricket set in all the land. Want to play?
DEBORAH: No way, Princess Pania of Paeroa. I'm not sharing!
PANIA: Boo!
MR. HUGO: Then, on Tuesday… Presenting Anita the Knight, the bravest soul in the South Island!
DESCRIPTION: Anita the Knight walks onto the stage. She wears a long wig, dark lipstick, long nails, and glittering silver armour.
MR. HUGO: Skilled at tidying mess, decreasing stress, and playing chess!
ANITA: Kia ora, Deborah. I heard you have the only golden chess set in all the land. Want to play?
DEBORAH: No way, Anita the Knight. I'm not sharing!
ANITA: Oh... stink.
MR. HUGO: Then, on Wednesday… Presenting Jesse the Jester from just east of Esther!
DESCRIPTION: Jesse the Jester dances onto the stage, hopping from foot to foot with his hands in the air. Jesse wears a blue-and-gold Jester costume with balloon pants and a hat with bells.
MR. HUGO: Ping pong champion extraordinaire!
JESSE: Hiya, Deborah! I heard you have the only golden ping pong set in all the land. Want to play?
DEBORAH: No way, Jesse the Jester from just east of Esther. I'm not sharing!
JESSE: Uh, that seems somewhat unfair. And on Thursday… Presenting...
[Drum roll]
DESCRIPTION: No one comes out.
[Crickets chirping]
MR. HUGO: No one. And on Friday...
[Drum roll]
DESCRIPTION: Again, no one comes out.
[Crows cawing]
MR. HUGO: Still no one.
DESCRIPTION: Deborah frowns and hugs her golden treasure tightly.
DEBORAH: Woe is me. I have all this treasure, but I am still oh so lonely.
[Soft piano music]
DESCRIPTION: The lights dim, and a spotlight focuses on Deborah. In a musical number, Deborah sings and dances.
DEBORAH [singing]: Treasure. I've been thinking 'bout my treasure. Glitter's bringing me no pleasure. Not anymore. Lonely. What good are gilded riches? When my only one true wish, is somebody to share with me
DESCRIPTION: Anita, Pania, and Jesse dance with Deborah and sing in a chorus.
DEBORAH [singing]: Now I know
ENSEMBLE: Go on, tell us
DEBORAH [singing]: That gold isn't wealth
ENSEMBLE: Yeah
DEBORAH [singing]: If I win or lose. Then who wins? I've cheated myself.
[Upbeat music]
DEBORAH [singing]: No more games. No more games. I swear I'll play fair. You swear 'cause life's no fun. No fun at all. When you're solitaire, come on and play. Ooh. Come on and play. Come on let's have some fun. Come on and play. Ooh. Come on and play. There's plenty for everyone.
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo walks on stage, rapping.
MR. HUGO [rapping]: Deb told her friends that they can't play. Y'all better leave.
ENSEMBLE: Yeah!
MR. HUGO [rapping]: Now she knows it's best to share. Yeah, she was being naive.
ENSEMBLE: Uh-huh!
MR. HUGO [rapping]: I'm dragoning on and on, but my point is in the end...
ENSEMBLE: Yeah!
MR. HUGO [rapping]: Board games aren't so boring when you're playing with your friends.
DEBORAH [singing]: Come on and play. Come on and play. Come on, let's have some fun. Come on and play. Come on and play.
DESCRIPTION: In the Little Library, Mr. Hugo dances with Arlo, Tia, and Georgie.
DEBORAH [singing]: There's plenty for everyone! Come on and play.
DESCRIPTION: The musical ends, and Mr. Hugo returns to the Little Library.
[Enchanting music]
MR. HUGO: The end.
ARLO: That was fun.
MR. HUGO: That was fun, wasn't it? So... I guess I better get back to my library-ing.
CHILDREN: Aw!
DEWEY: Aw…
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo walks off. Dewey and the children exchange a look. Later, Georgie, Arlo, and Tia follow around Mr. Hugo as he puts away books.
GEORGIE: I liked how Deborah shared her treasure with her new friends.
ARLO: Me too.
TIA: Me three.
MR. HUGO: I know, right?
GEORGIE: It's like you with your books.
ARLO: You're keeping all the treasure for yourself when it's more fun to share.
MR. HUGO: More fun to share, you say?
DESCRIPTION: The three kids take a step closer to Mr. Hugo, their eyes wide.
MR. HUGO: Fine, I'll let you borrow one book.
GEORGIE: Each?
KIDS: Yes! Yes!
DESCRIPTION: The children run off to grab their books.
[Dewey, in gibberish]: You're a pretty great librarian.
MR. HUGO: You're right, Dewey. I am a pretty amazing librarian.
[Light music]
DESCRIPTION: With their new library books, the children leave the library. Mr. Hugo waves goodbye.
ARLO: Ka kite, Mr. H!
TIA: Bye, Dewey!
[Dewey, in gibberish]: Bye!
MR. HUGO: Bye-bye, butterflies!
GEORGIE: See you next time, Mr. Hugo!
DESCRIPTION: Georgie, Tia, and Arlo leave through the boarded-up door.
MR. HUGO: Next time?
[Door creaks]
MR. HUGO: They want to come back?!
[Dewey giggling]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo shrugs his shoulders, smiling brightly.
MR. HUGO: Yeah, cool, whatevs. I'm pretty chill about making three new friends in one morning!
[Dewey, in gibberish]: Does this mean you'll open?
MR. HUGO: No, it doesn't mean I'll be opening my library to the public, Dewey!
[Dewey whines]
MR. HUGO: At least not yet.
[Dewey gasps]
[Light music]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo drinks from his pink, bedazzled mug.
[Slurps]
MR. HUGO: Aw. My tea's gone cold.
DESCRIPTION: A blue, bedazzled teacup magically slides across the desk.
[Bright sparkling chime]
MR. HUGO: Thank you, Library.
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo sips his new cup of tea.
[Slurps]
MR. HUGO: Ah...
[Theme music]
[Upbeat music]
[End Credits] Executive Producers: Gary Scott, Victoria Spackman, Ken Faier, Richard McConnell. Created by: George Fowler, Nathan Mudge, Mary Baker. Producers: Sam Wilton, Marlene Schmidt. Creative Producer: Cheryl Hassen. Associate Producer: Nathan Mudge. Director and Associate Producer: Caroline Bell–Booth. Lead writer: Amanda Alison. Cast: Mr. Hugo, George Fowler. Dewey, Rebekah Head. Georgie, Roxy Hyde. Arlo, Jacob Slaughter. Tia, Hannah Ellis. Various: Jthan Morgan, Robin, Aunty T, Olivia, Slay, Eric Rich, Joshua Hughes. Produced in Association with Knowledge: kids. tvoKids. T.V.N.Z. R.N.Z. Produced with the financial support of Irirangi Te Motu N.Z On Air Tamariki. New Zealand Film Commission Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga. Shaw Rocket Fund (fuelling creativity), Canada Media Fund. Ontario Creates. Funded by the Government of Canada. Telefilm Canada. CMPA, Canadian Media Producers Association. Writers Guild of Canada. Logos: Epic Story Media (it’s gonna be epic!). A New Zealand - Canada Co-Production. Gibson Group. Copyright 2026 Little Library Productions NZ Ltd. and Little Library Productions CA Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Descriptive Transcript
[Logo] “t.v.o kids original.” The animated multicoloured logo bounces onto a white background. The word "kids" has an eye in the orange letter "d" and a smile in the lime green letter "s".
CHILD: Weeeeee
[Children giggling]
[Light music]
DESCRIPTION: In live action, it is dark in Mr. Hugo’s Little Library, the windows are boarded up, the lights are turned off, and sheets cover the bookshelves. Beneath the dust, the whimsical library is lined with colourful books along the curved bookshelves. The library has blue walls, a pink cuckoo clock, a red velvet desk, crocheted pillows, and reading nooks.
[Soft enchanting music]
[Cuckoo clock chiming]
DESCRIPTION: Suddenly, a blue cuckoo with pink feather plumes and a yellow beak bursts through the doors on the cuckoo clock. The lights turn on, illuminating the library.
[Rooster crowing]
DESCRIPTION: A bed pops out from under a large desk. Mr. Hugo sits up in the bed and stretches. Mr. Hugo, the Little Library’s librarian, has dark brown curly hair and a bushy brown mustache twisted and waxed at each end. He wears makeup with rosy cheeks, a pink-and-blue striped nightgown, and a matching pyjama hat.
[Bright, sparkling music]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo stands up and leans on the desk. A bedazzled pink mug magically slides across the desk and into Mr. Hugo’s hand. He looks up at the ceiling and smiles.
MR. HUGO: Thank you, Library.
DESCRIPTION: The lights in the library flash.
[Lights hum]
[Dewey cooing softly]
MR. HUGO: Morning, Dewey!
DESCRIPTION: On the desk, Dewey, a fluffy striped green-and-orange bookworm puppet with a voluminous head of bright orange hair, uses a book as a pillow while sleeping. Dewey wakes up.
[Dewey sighing]
[Dewey, in gibberish]: Morning!
MR. HUGO: What's the happity haps?
[Dewey curious, upbeat babbling]
MR. HUGO: Ah, I'll clean the library when I'm good and ready.
[Bright music]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo spreads his arms at his sides and, with a smile, his pyjamas magically tear away, revealing his daytime outfit: a red suit jacket, a pink-and-blue-checked shirt, a mustard-yellow vest, and a green bow tie.
MR. HUGO: Okay, I'm ready!
[Upbeat theme song]
[Opening credits] “A T.V.N.Z Original”.
DESCRIPTION: In the opening sequence, various videos show Mr. Hugo reading to his friends: a blonde-haired girl, a girl with brown hair in pigtails and a boy with brown, braided hair.
MR. HUGO [singing]: Do you like big adventures?
SINGERS [chorus]: Yeah!
DESCRIPTION: The children hang out in the library with Mr. Hugo. The library’s bookshelves move around on their own. Various clips show Drag Queens dressed like witches, astronauts, mermaids, circus ringmasters, magicians, and dancing princesses.
MR. HUGO [singing]: Do you like mysteries?
SINGERS [chorus]: Uh-huh!
MR. HUGO [singing]: What about space and mermaids?
SINGERS [chorus]: Yeah!
MR. HUGO [singing]: Well, that sounds good to me! Do you like whacky factoids?
SINGERS [chorus]: Yeah!
MR. HUGO [singing]: Do you like fairytales?
SINGERS [chorus]: Uh-huh!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo takes a book from a bookshelf, revealing Dewey.
MR. HUGO [singing]: Are you fond of herpetological phenomenology?
[Music pauses]
DESCRIPTION: The Drag Queen ensemble, the children, and Dewey glance around with confused looks.
SINGERS [chorus]: Uh... What's what? What, huh?
[Music resumes]
MR. HUGO [singing]: Well, you can find whatever you like At Mister...
SINGERS [chorus]: Mister!
MR. HUGO [singing]: Hugo's
SINGERS [chorus]: Hugo's!
MR. HUGO [singing]: Little library
[Title]: “Mr. Hugo’s Little Library”.
[Opening sequence ends]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo uses a feather duster to dust a pink chandelier.
[Glass chandelier clinking melodically]
MR. HUGO: Oh, stop giggling, Library. You're too old to be ticklish.
[Humming]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo stands next to Dewey.
MR. HUGO: Ah... Today, my plan is to do some light reading followed by some heavy reading, then, to change things up, a little bit of reading.
[Mr. Hugo sighs wistfully]
MR. HUGO: Just another ordinary day at Mr. Hugo's Little Library.
[Knocking at the door]
[Girl’s voice]: Kia ora! Hello? Anyone home?
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo turns to Dewey with a concerned expression.
MR. HUGO: That's out of the ordinary.
DESCRIPTION: Suddenly, the young girl with blonde hair, wearing a black sweater, black skirt, and black boots, slides into the Little Library through the wall on a playground slide.
[Enchanting music]
BLONDE-HAIRED GIRL: Excuse me, are you open?
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo and Dewey hide behind the desk.
MR. HUGO: That slide is for book returns, not child arrivals!
DESCRIPTION: Just then, two more children slide into the Little Library. The boy with brown, braided hair and a red tracksuit and the girl with her brown hair in pigtails wears a yellow sweater and a pink backpack.
BOY: Did someone say something?
MR. HUGO: Yes! We're closed!
BROWN-HAIRED GIRL: He said, "Yes, they're closed!"
BOY: Who's he?
DESCRIPTION: The children approach the desk, and Mr. Hugo stands up.
BLONDE-HAIRED GIRL: Hi, I'm Georgie.
MR. HUGO: Oh. Kia ora, Georgie, I didn't see you there. My name is Mr. Hugo, but you can call me… Mr. Hugo. I'm the librarian around these parts, and this is my assistant, Dewey.
[Dewey, in gibberish]: Hi, everyone!
GEORGIE: Nice to meet you. These are my friends, Arlo and Tia.
BOY: I'm Arlo.
BROWN-HAIRED GIRL: Which makes me Tia. Hi, Dewey.
[Dewey, in gibberish]: Hi, Tia!
DESCRIPTION: The children crowd around Mr. Hugo.
GEORGIE: Do you have any books on drawing?
ARLO: Or how to win at tennis?
TIA: Or the life cycle of the monarch butterfly? Ideally, focusing on the crucial third, chrysalis phase?
MR. HUGO: Yes, yes, and yes.
KIDS: Yes! Yes!
DESCRIPTION: Arlo, Georgie, and Tia smile.
MR. HUGO: Oh, but you can't have them.
DESCRIPTION: The children frown. The Little Library’s chandelier chimes as the lights flicker.
[Glass clinking melodically]
MR. HUGO: Keep out of this, Library. I haven't finished reading all the books, therefore I can't, in good conscience, lend them to you. Plus, we're closed. And also, I don't want to.
GEORGIE: That's not how libraries work.
MR. HUGO: It's how Mr. Hugo's Little Library works. Now, off you pop. Chippity chop.
[Light music]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo walks away from the children. Two bookcases magically slide in front of him, blocking his path.
ARLO: Excuse me, but is your library magic?
MR. HUGO: Yes. All libraries are magic. I thought everyone knew that.
TIA: Wow.
[Bright music]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo pushes the two bookcases apart and continues walking. Another bookcase slides in front of him. The Little Library magically pushes a book in front of Mr. Hugo’s face.
GEORGIE: And does it always do that?
MR. HUGO: Only when it's showing off.
ARLO: I think it wants you to read that.
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo tries to push the book back in place.
MR. HUGO [straining]: Whatever gave you that idea?
DESCRIPTION: The book pops back out.
[Mr. Hugo panting]
TIA: That's what gave us that idea.
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo rolls his eyes and smiles. He takes the book from the shelf.
MR. HUGO: Fine. Who wants me to read a book?
DESCRIPTION: Georgie, Tia, and Arlo all raise their hands.
[Dewey, in gibberish]: Me too!
DESCRIPTION: Georgie, Arlo, and Tia turn around to look at Dewey.
TIA: What did he say?
MR. HUGO: He said, "me too". Against my will, I shall read you this story in a ridiculously fabulous fashion. Haere mai. Come with me.
[Bright music]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo sits down on a red velvet seat. Arlo, Tia, and Georgie sit on the attached red velvet couch. A bright spotlight shines in Mr. Hugo’s eyes.
[Bright sparkling chime]
MR. HUGO: Argh… Thank you, Library. Um... a touch lower?
DESCRIPTION: The light shines on Georgie.
MR. HUGO: To the right?
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo’s knees are illuminated.
MR. HUGO: Little closer?
DESCRIPTION: The Little Library magically shines a spotlight on Mr. Hugo’s book.
MR. HUGO: Perfect. Me paanui taatou, let's read together. Are you ready?
DESCRIPTION: The children nod.
MR. HUGO: I can't hear you. I said, are you ready?!
CHILDREN [loudly]: Yes!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo winces at the shouting.
MR. HUGO: Shh! This is a library!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo smiles playfully.
[Children giggling]
MR. HUGO: Just kidding, you can be as loud as you'd like. Today's story is "Deborah the Dragon" by Paige Turner.
[Enchanting music]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo is magically transported into the story. He is dressed like a Renaissance King, wearing a fur cape, a tulle neck scarf, a golden crown, and a tall wig. Mr. Hugo stands at a golden podium and reads the book aloud. Behind him, a stage is decorated with a cave, glowing tile floors, and a sun.
MR. HUGO: Once upon a time… there was a dragon named Deborah.
DESCRIPTION: Deborah the Dragon steps out of the cave, onto the stage. She wears a voluminous pink wig, glamorous makeup, long nails, and has green scales, blue wings, and long horns.
[Deborah roaring]
MR. HUGO: And she was oh so lonely.
DEBORAH: I am oh so lonely.
MR. HUGO: But there's one thing you should know about Deborah the dragon. She love, love, loved treasure,
DESCRIPTION: Deborah kisses one of her rings.
MR. HUGO: and would do anything to get it.
[Wind howling]
DESCRIPTION: Deborah holds up her arms and soars through the sky.
[Tense music]
MR. HUGO: Including, but not limited to, crushing small to mid-sized villages!
DESCRIPTION: Deborah stomps her foot on the ground.
MR. HUGO: Flying to foreign lands and stealing stuff that wasn't even hers! And swiping her friends' things when they weren't looking!
DESCRIPTION: Deborah picks up a massive, golden chess piece, a golden cricket bat, and a set of golden ping pong paddles.
[Deborah cackling]
MR. HUGO: Until one fine day, Deborah realised...
DEBORAH: Ha! I've snaffled all the best golden things in all the land! Mwah-hahahahaha!
[Laughing]
[Coughing]
MR. HUGO: That Monday, she had an unexpected visitor. Presenting Princess Pania of Paeroa!
DESCRIPTION: Princess Pania twirls onto the stage wearing a tall, pink cone-shaped headdress with a long, billowing, silk scarf. She is dressed in a pink, Medieval– style Princess dress and wears a long brown wig.
PANIA: The best cricket player in the greater Waikato region!
[Crowd cheering]
PANIA: Kia ora, Deborah. I heard you have the only golden cricket set in all the land. Want to play?
DEBORAH: No way, Princess Pania of Paeroa. I'm not sharing!
PANIA: Boo!
MR. HUGO: Then, on Tuesday… Presenting Anita the Knight, the bravest soul in the South Island!
DESCRIPTION: Anita the Knight walks onto the stage. She wears a long wig, dark lipstick, long nails, and glittering silver armour.
MR. HUGO: Skilled at tidying mess, decreasing stress, and playing chess!
ANITA: Kia ora, Deborah. I heard you have the only golden chess set in all the land. Want to play?
DEBORAH: No way, Anita the Knight. I'm not sharing!
ANITA: Oh... stink.
MR. HUGO: Then, on Wednesday… Presenting Jesse the Jester from just east of Esther!
DESCRIPTION: Jesse the Jester dances onto the stage, hopping from foot to foot with his hands in the air. Jesse wears a blue-and-gold Jester costume with balloon pants and a hat with bells.
MR. HUGO: Ping pong champion extraordinaire!
JESSE: Hiya, Deborah! I heard you have the only golden ping pong set in all the land. Want to play?
DEBORAH: No way, Jesse the Jester from just east of Esther. I'm not sharing!
JESSE: Uh, that seems somewhat unfair. And on Thursday… Presenting...
[Drum roll]
DESCRIPTION: No one comes out.
[Crickets chirping]
MR. HUGO: No one. And on Friday...
[Drum roll]
DESCRIPTION: Again, no one comes out.
[Crows cawing]
MR. HUGO: Still no one.
DESCRIPTION: Deborah frowns and hugs her golden treasure tightly.
DEBORAH: Woe is me. I have all this treasure, but I am still oh so lonely.
[Soft piano music]
DESCRIPTION: The lights dim, and a spotlight focuses on Deborah. In a musical number, Deborah sings and dances.
DEBORAH [singing]: Treasure. I've been thinking 'bout my treasure. Glitter's bringing me no pleasure. Not anymore. Lonely. What good are gilded riches? When my only one true wish, is somebody to share with me
DESCRIPTION: Anita, Pania, and Jesse dance with Deborah and sing in a chorus.
DEBORAH [singing]: Now I know
ENSEMBLE: Go on, tell us
DEBORAH [singing]: That gold isn't wealth
ENSEMBLE: Yeah
DEBORAH [singing]: If I win or lose. Then who wins? I've cheated myself.
[Upbeat music]
DEBORAH [singing]: No more games. No more games. I swear I'll play fair. You swear 'cause life's no fun. No fun at all. When you're solitaire, come on and play. Ooh. Come on and play. Come on let's have some fun. Come on and play. Ooh. Come on and play. There's plenty for everyone.
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo walks on stage, rapping.
MR. HUGO [rapping]: Deb told her friends that they can't play. Y'all better leave.
ENSEMBLE: Yeah!
MR. HUGO [rapping]: Now she knows it's best to share. Yeah, she was being naive.
ENSEMBLE: Uh-huh!
MR. HUGO [rapping]: I'm dragoning on and on, but my point is in the end...
ENSEMBLE: Yeah!
MR. HUGO [rapping]: Board games aren't so boring when you're playing with your friends.
DEBORAH [singing]: Come on and play. Come on and play. Come on, let's have some fun. Come on and play. Come on and play.
DESCRIPTION: In the Little Library, Mr. Hugo dances with Arlo, Tia, and Georgie.
DEBORAH [singing]: There's plenty for everyone! Come on and play.
DESCRIPTION: The musical ends, and Mr. Hugo returns to the Little Library.
[Enchanting music]
MR. HUGO: The end.
ARLO: That was fun.
MR. HUGO: That was fun, wasn't it? So... I guess I better get back to my library-ing.
CHILDREN: Aw!
DEWEY: Aw…
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo walks off. Dewey and the children exchange a look. Later, Georgie, Arlo, and Tia follow around Mr. Hugo as he puts away books.
GEORGIE: I liked how Deborah shared her treasure with her new friends.
ARLO: Me too.
TIA: Me three.
MR. HUGO: I know, right?
GEORGIE: It's like you with your books.
ARLO: You're keeping all the treasure for yourself when it's more fun to share.
MR. HUGO: More fun to share, you say?
DESCRIPTION: The three kids take a step closer to Mr. Hugo, their eyes wide.
MR. HUGO: Fine, I'll let you borrow one book.
GEORGIE: Each?
KIDS: Yes! Yes!
DESCRIPTION: The children run off to grab their books.
[Dewey, in gibberish]: You're a pretty great librarian.
MR. HUGO: You're right, Dewey. I am a pretty amazing librarian.
[Light music]
DESCRIPTION: With their new library books, the children leave the library. Mr. Hugo waves goodbye.
ARLO: Ka kite, Mr. H!
TIA: Bye, Dewey!
[Dewey, in gibberish]: Bye!
MR. HUGO: Bye-bye, butterflies!
GEORGIE: See you next time, Mr. Hugo!
DESCRIPTION: Georgie, Tia, and Arlo leave through the boarded-up door.
MR. HUGO: Next time?
[Door creaks]
MR. HUGO: They want to come back?!
[Dewey giggling]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo shrugs his shoulders, smiling brightly.
MR. HUGO: Yeah, cool, whatevs. I'm pretty chill about making three new friends in one morning!
[Dewey, in gibberish]: Does this mean you'll open?
MR. HUGO: No, it doesn't mean I'll be opening my library to the public, Dewey!
[Dewey whines]
MR. HUGO: At least not yet.
[Dewey gasps]
[Light music]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo drinks from his pink, bedazzled mug.
[Slurps]
MR. HUGO: Aw. My tea's gone cold.
DESCRIPTION: A blue, bedazzled teacup magically slides across the desk.
[Bright sparkling chime]
MR. HUGO: Thank you, Library.
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo sips his new cup of tea.
[Slurps]
MR. HUGO: Ah...
[Theme music]
[Upbeat music]
[End Credits] Executive Producers: Gary Scott, Victoria Spackman, Ken Faier, Richard McConnell. Created by: George Fowler, Nathan Mudge, Mary Baker. Producers: Sam Wilton, Marlene Schmidt. Creative Producer: Cheryl Hassen. Associate Producer: Nathan Mudge. Director and Associate Producer: Caroline Bell–Booth. Lead writer: Amanda Alison. Cast: Mr. Hugo, George Fowler. Dewey, Rebekah Head. Georgie, Roxy Hyde. Arlo, Jacob Slaughter. Tia, Hannah Ellis. Various: Jthan Morgan, Robin, Aunty T, Olivia, Slay, Eric Rich, Joshua Hughes. Produced in Association with Knowledge: kids. tvoKids. T.V.N.Z. R.N.Z. Produced with the financial support of Irirangi Te Motu N.Z On Air Tamariki. New Zealand Film Commission Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga. Shaw Rocket Fund (fuelling creativity), Canada Media Fund. Ontario Creates. Funded by the Government of Canada. Telefilm Canada. CMPA, Canadian Media Producers Association. Writers Guild of Canada. Logos: Epic Story Media (it’s gonna be epic!). A New Zealand - Canada Co-Production. Gibson Group. Copyright 2026 Little Library Productions NZ Ltd. and Little Library Productions CA Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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