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, in Mr. Hugo’s Little Library, colourful books line curved bookshelves. The whimsical library has blue walls, a pink cuckoo clock, a red velvet desk, crocheted pillows, and some reading nooks. 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 red suit jacket, a pink-and-blue-checked shirt, a mustard-yellow vest, and a green bow tie.

[Upbeat music]

DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo wears bedazzled safety goggles, a pink construction hardhat, and uses a glittery power screwdriver to assemble a bookshelf. Dewey, a fluffy, striped green-and-orange bookworm puppet with a voluminous head of bright orange hair, watches and assists Mr. Hugo.

[Powertool whirring]

MR. HUGO: Sparkle saw please, Dewey?

[Dewey, in gibberish]: Here you go.

DESCRIPTION: Dewey hands Mr. Hugo a bedazzled saw.

MR. HUGO: Thanks. On second thoughts, I think this job calls for... a glamour hammer!

[Dewey, in gibberish]: Here you go!

DESCRIPTION: Dewey hands Mr. Hugo a bedazzled hammer. Mr. Hugo taps on the bookshelf, and the entire bookshelf falls apart!

[Dewey gasps]

DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo’s eyes widen, and he hands the hammer back to Dewey, who falls over under its weight.

MR. HUGO: I don't think this hammer is nearly glamorous enough.

[Dewey, in gibberish]: Yikes!

MR. HUGO: How can I be expected to work under these conditions?

[Dewey, in gibberish]: I don't know.

[Bright sparkling chime]

DESCRIPTION: A pink milkshake appears. Mr. Hugo takes a sip.

MR. HUGO: Thank you, Library. The sweet, calming elixir of life.

[Slurping]

MR. HUGO: But I must go on… I must finish… my masterpiece.

DESCRIPTION: Dewey shakes his head.

[Upbeat, introduction music]

[Text reads] “A TVNZ Original”.

DESCRIPTION: In the opening sequence, various videos show Mr. Hugo reading to his friends: Georgie, Tia, and Arlo. Georgie has blonde hair and wears a black cardigan and red barrettes. Tia has brown hair tied in two pigtails and wears a purple sweater and pink pants. Arlo has brown, braided hair with blue beads on the ends, and wears an orange suit jacket.

MR. HUGO [singing]: Do you like big adventures?

SINGERS [chorus]: Yeah!

DESCRIPTION: Georgie, Tia, and Arlo 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 mytho-speculative Uber-humanism?

[Music pauses]

DESCRIPTION: The Drag Queen ensemble, plus Georgie, Tia, Arlo, 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]

[Enchanting music]

DESCRIPTION: As Dewey and Mr. Hugo continue construction in the library, Arlo slides through the library’s entrance slide. Arlo wears a high-visibility orange safety vest. He drops his backpack on the ground.

ARLO: Hey, Mr. Hugo.

MR. HUGO: Kia ora, Arlo! How are you this fine Sunday?

[Drill whirring]

MR. HUGO: Spirit level please, Dewey?

ARLO: I'll get it for you, Mr. H.

DESCRIPTION: Arlo walks over to the desk and picks up the spirit level. The moment Arlo touches it, alarm bells ring, and the lights flash. Mr. Hugo waves his hands and takes the spirit level from Arlo.

[Alarm bell clanging loudly]

[Alarm stops]

DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo and Arlo look around at the now silent room. Hesitantly, Mr. Hugo hands the spirit level back to Arlo.

[Alarm clanging loudly]

DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo quickly takes the spirit level back.

[Alarm stops]

MR. HUGO: Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Your spirit levels are dangerously low!

ARLO: Yeah, I'm kind of having a terrible day.

MR. HUGO: I thought you had your junior volunteer beach tidier-upperer thing today?

ARLO: I did. But every Sunday, we clean up rubbish and pollution from the local beaches. And the very next Sunday, there's always more rubbish and more pollution. What's the point?

DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo picks up a wooden beam and turns around with it on his shoulder. Arlo ducks just in time, so that he does not get hit in the head.

ARLO: Whoa! Why are you building another bookshelf anyway?

MR. HUGO: Oh, I'd never build another bookshelf, we have way too many already.

DESCRIPTION: Suddenly, an alarm blares and a gust of air blows a stack of paper at Mr. Hugo, Arlo, and Dewey.

[Alarm horn blaring]

MR. HUGO: Ahh!

ARLO: Whoa!

[Dewey squealing]

[Alarm stops]

MR. HUGO: I mean, we have the perfect amount already. You're beautiful just the way you are, Library.

DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo winces and gestures for himself and Arlo to walk away. Mr. Hugo and Arlo stand around a desk.

[Light music]

ARLO: So, I think I'm going to quit being a junior volunteer beach tidier-upperer.

[Dewey, in gibberish]: Do not quit, Arlo, for the fight is always worth the struggle. It always feels good to help.

[Inspiring music]

[Gibberish continues]

MR. HUGO: Dewey says don't quit.

ARLO: That's all he said?

MR. HUGO: That was the gist of it, yeah.

ARLO: But nothing I do matters.

MR. HUGO: I imagine it matters to the locals who like to swim or fish or surf on Mondays, Tuesdays, or early Wednesdays?

[Chiming]

DESCRIPTION: A book falls and lands on the desk in front of Arlo.

ARLO: Sorry, Library. I'm not in the mood for a book.

[Mr. Hugo gasps]

MR. HUGO: Not in the mood for a book?! This really is serious! No time to waste!

DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo picks up the book.

MR. HUGO: Me paanui taatou, let's read together.

[Dewey squeals approvingly]

[Light music]

DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo and Arlo sit together.

ARLO: I really don't think this is going to help.

MR. HUGO: I really think it's worth giving it a try. This is the story of "Galaxy Girl," by Anne Thology.

[Bright enchanting music]

DESCRIPTION: As Mr. Hugo opens the book, he is transported to a magical, musical stage that resembles a street. Mr. Hugo stands in front of an ice cream shop and a cheese shop. He wears a pink three–piece suit with a combed-back wig and holds a large news-caster microphone. Mr. Hugo stands before a golden podium and reads the book.

MR. HUGO: This just in...

[Sparkling chimes]

MR. HUGO: Local wannabe awesome Ottawa superhero Galaxy Girl, is about to pass me on the street!

DESCRIPTION: Galaxy Girl walks on stage. She wears a voluminous pink wig, a silver headband, a silver cape, pink tights, pink heels, and a metallic silver skirt.

GALAXY GIRL: Evil doers beware! It is I, Galaxy Girl! And I am here to save the world!

MR. HUGO: Just then, Galaxy Girl heard a call for help!

DESCRIPTION: Annie the Granny walks on stage. She wears a matching jacket and skirt, has her gray hair tied back under a silk scarf, and holds a handbag.

ANNIE: Excuse me, Galaxy Girl. Would you help me with a little something?

GALAXY GIRL: Of course, Annie the Granny! What can I, Galaxy Girl, do for you?

ANNIE: I just need help… crossing the street.

GALAXY GIRL: Oh. Okay, fine.

[Soft background music]

DESCRIPTION: Galaxy Girl helps Annie the Granny cross the street slowly. Mr. Hugo checks his watch.

[Ticking]

GALAXY GIRL: Now that's out of the way, it's time to do what superheroes do best! Save the world!

MR. HUGO: Just then, Galaxy Girl heard another call for help!

DESCRIPTION: Galaxy Girl turns to see Pattie the Postie. He wears a blue postal service uniform, a long, red wig, a glittery blue hat, and carries two large duffel bags.

PATTIE THE POSTIE: Um, hey, Galaxy Girl? Could you give me a hand with something?

GALAXY GIRL: What is it, Pattie the Postie? Evil space moose? A polar bear in parliament?

PATTIE: Yeah, nah. A dog made me drop some mail. Would ya mind helping me to pick it up?

DESCRIPTION: Galaxy Girl’s shoulders slump.

GALAXY GIRL: Oh... Okay, sure.

MR. HUGO: Just to clarify, it's not that Galaxy Girl didn't like helping everyday people, it's just that she really, really, really wanted to do something super important, like save the world!

GALAXY GIRL: And now that that's out of the way, I'm free to do something meaningful, impressive, and life-changing for all!

MR.HUGO: Just then, Galaxy Girl heard another call for help!

[Pause]

DESCRIPTION: Galaxy Girl slumps her shoulders. Mr. Hugo waves his hand at her.

MR. HUGO [with emphasis]: She listened and she heard a call!

DESCRIPTION: Galaxy Girl puts her hand to her ear. Toodle the Poodle approaches. Her wig, sweater, arm cuffs, tail, and miniskirt are all pink fur.

TOODLE: Arf, arf. Hi there, Galaxy Girl! Could you give me a paw with something?

GALAXY GIRL: What is it, Toodle the Poodle? An army of evil robots? The moon is a big egg that's about to hatch? National maple syrup shortage?

DESCRIPTION: Galaxy Girl holds Toodle the Poodle’s arms and shakes her.

GALAXY GIRL: I'll do anything important, anything!

TOODLE: Um, are you okay? Arf, arf?

GALAXY GIRL: Honestly? No. I want to be a superhero, but nothing I do is important.

TOODLE: Arf, arf! Aww, gee, I'm sorry to hear that. I'm just a lost dog looking for help to find my way home. Arf, arf! But if that's not important enough…

DESCRIPTION: Toodle the Poodle pouts and widens her eyes at Galaxy Girl. Galaxy Girl smiles and pets Toodle’s head.

GALAXY GIRL: Aww, I can't resist.

MR. HUGO: And so, Galaxy Girl bravely helped Toodle the Poodle find her way home. On the way…

DESCRIPTION: Annie the Granny approaches Galaxy Girl and Toodle. Annie has a ball of yarn in her bag.

ANNIE: Galaxy Girl! Thank you so much for escorting me across the street. It meant I was able to buy some wool from Sheryl's Wool Emporium.

GALAXY GIRL: You're welcome. I'm currently trying to save this dog from being lost. Do you know where she lives?

DESCRIPTION: Just then, Pattie the Postie joins them.

PATTIE: I know that dog. She spooked me earlier. She lives just around the corner.

TOODLE: Arf, arf. Sorry! Luckily, I have learned the error of my ways. Thanks to the everyday kindness of Galaxy Girl.

GALAXY GIRL: Really?!

DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo holds his finger up to his ear.

[Babbling over earpiece]

DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo speaks into his newscaster microphone.

MR. HUGO: This just in: I'm receiving reports from all over Ottawa of people making each other's lives just that little bit better! And it all seems to have stemmed from one local hero, Galaxy Girl!

DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo holds the microphone up for Galaxy Girl.

MR. HUGO: Ms. Girl, how do you feel?

GALAXY GIRL: I feel… more than fine. I feel...

GALAXY GIRL [voice echoing]: I feel super!

[Dramatic music]

DESCRIPTION: In a musical number, Galaxy Girl, Pattie the Postie, Toodle the Poodle, and Annie the Granny dance on stage together.

GALAXY GIRL [singing]: All I've ever wanted is to be a hero. All I've ever wanted is to save the day. All I've ever wanted is to be a hero. The tiny changes I'm making show me. A little goes a long way. Woo. Ooh-ooh. A butterfly flapping its wings in Ottawa

ALL [whispering]: Ottawa! Ottawa! Ottawa!

GALAXY GIRL [singing]: Makes a storm in Whangaarei

ALL [whispering]: Whangaarei. Whangaarei.

GALAXY GIRL [singing]: These little things can make a wave

ALL [whispering]: A wave. A wave. A wave.

GALAXY GIRL [singing]: A wave a million miles away

ALL [whispering]: Away. Away. Away.

DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo joins the dance.

[Mr. Hugo mimics a guitar solo]

DESCRIPTION: In a dance, Galaxy Girl pretends to fly while holding Mr. Hugo. Pattie holds up a prop cloud, and Annie holds up a prop paper airplane. Toodle pretends to fly a stuffed unicorn through the sky, but Mr. Hugo pushes it away.

GALAXY GIRL [singing]: All I've ever wanted is to be a hero. All I've ever wanted is to save the day. Is that too little to ask for?

MR. HUGO [whispers]: No.

GALAXY GIRL [signing]: Is that too boastful to say?

MR. HUGO [whispering]: Kinda.

GALAXY GIRL [singing]: The tiny changes I'm making show me a little goes a long way.

DESCRIPTION: In the library, Arlo and Mr. Hugo dance together and pretend to play electric guitars.

[Mr. Hugo and Arlo mimicking a guitar solo]

[Musical ends]

DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo and Arlo sit together.

[Bright music]

MR. HUGO: So?

ARLO: I can't save the world by myself, but I can make a little, local difference.

MR. HUGO: And?

ARLO: I'm going to head back to the beach so it's clean for everyone, for a little while, at least. Thanks, Mr. H.

MR. HUGO: Yes! Books save the day, yet again! Oh! I should get back to my fabulous construction!

ARLO: Uh, what are you building, anyway?

DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo walks away, and Arlo follows him. They stand in front of a bookshelf that is filled with tiny drawers and glass jars.

ARLO: Whoa.

MR. HUGO: Welcome to Mr. Hugo's Little Library's very own: seed shelf!

ARLO: A shelf for books about seeds?

MR. HUGO: Better. A shelf of actual seeds!

DESCRIPTION: In a blaze of light, a drawer opens, and Mr. Hugo hands Arlo a handful of seeds.

MR. HUGO: Any member of the community who takes a book can also take some seeds to plant, too!

ARLO: Huh, I guess a little does go a long way. Can I keep these?

MR. HUGO: Yes! Well, not keep, keep. Please do plant them.

ARLO: Will do. Thanks, Mr. H.

DESCRIPTION: Arlo and Mr. Hugo high-five. Arlo runs off, and Mr. Hugo waves.

[Bright music]

[Crashing]

DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo quickly turns around, seeing Dewey wipe soil away from a broken plant pot.

MR. HUGO: While I appreciate the enthusiasm, Dewey, maybe let's keep the gardening to the librarians with opposable thumbs?

[Dewey, in gibberish]: Yeah, sounds good.

[Upbeat music]

[Mr. Hugo mimicking a guitar solo]

[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. Story by: Amanda Alison. Teleplay by: Madeleine Patton. 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.