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Transcript: Frankie the Frog
Mr. Hugo’s Little Library: Frankie the Frog
Descriptive Transcript
[Bright music]
[Logo] “t.v.o kids original.”
DESCRIPTION: 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 is decorated with blue walls, a pink chandelier, a red-and-blue desk, lamps, and reading nooks. Fairy lights shine in a tree. At the desk, Mr. Hugo stands facing Dewey and holds up a tiny book. 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. Dewey is a fluffy, striped, green-and-orange bookworm puppet with a voluminous head of bright orange hair.
MR. HUGO: "The Little Book of Cars" by N. Jin goes in the... autobiography section!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo tosses the tiny book over his shoulder and reaches for another.
MR. HUGO: Obviously. "The Big Book of Rubbish" by General Waste goes in litter-ature section!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo throws a book full of garbage over his shoulder and looks at another.
MR. HUGO: Of course. Hm... "The Medium-Sized Book of Emergencies" by Justin Case goes in... the emergency section. Too easy!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo throws a book with a bandage on the cover over his head, and it flies into place on a bookshelf. Mr. Hugo picks up a purple book with a picture of himself on the cover, shrugging.
[Dewey cooing]
MR. HUGO: And this book goes... Hm... Dewey?
DEWEY, IN GIBBERISH: Yes?
MR. HUGO: I hate to judge a book by its cover, but... this is a mystery, so... mystery section?
DEWEY, IN GIBBERISH: I don't know!
MR. HUGO: It is square, so square section?
DEWEY [in gibberish]: Hm...
MR. HUGO: Well, I'm the best librarian I know. I'll figure it out.
DEWEY [in gibberish]: Yeah!
MR. HUGO: Right?
DEWEY: Mm-hmm!
[Upbeat music]
[Logo] “A T.V.N.Z Original”.
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo reads to his friends: Georgie, Tia, and Arlo. Georgie has dark blond hair and wears a black cardigan and red barrettes. Tia wears her brown hair in pigtails and a purple sweater. Arlo has dark 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. In various stories, drag queens dress 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 ornithological musical ethology?
[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]
In the library, Mr. Hugo pushes Dewey on a cart full of books, including the square, purple book.
MR. HUGO: If I was a book, where would I be?
[Sparkling chime]
DESCRIPTION: Georgie and Tia ride down the library slide and join Mr. Hugo and Dewey.
TIA: Hi, Dewey!
DEWEY [in gibberish]: Hi, Tia!
DESCRIPTION: Arlo rides down the slide and joins Georgie and Tia.
ARLO: Kia ora, Mr. Hugo.
MR. HUGO: What's up, buttercups?
ARLO: Cool if we practice our Matariki dance here, Mr. H?
MR. HUGO: Fine by me, bumblebees.
DESCRIPTION: Georgie and Arlo grin and pump their fists. They follow Tia over to the desk and set their backpacks down. Mr. Hugo looks at the purple book.
MR. HUGO: This book is purple, so...
DEWEY [in gibberish]: Maybe. Could be?
MR. HUGO: Yes! Definitely the purple section. I knew we'd get there in the end, Dewey.
DESCRIPTION: Dewey nods. Mr. Hugo steps away from the cart.
TIA: Hey, Mr. Hugo. There's a dance competition at school for Māori New Year!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo briefly peeks out from between two bookshelves.
MR. HUGO: Uh-huh!
ARLO: And we're going to win.
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo peeks out from between the bookshelves again.
MR. HUGO: Great!
GEORGIE: We're going to try to win.
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo steps out from behind the far bookshelf.
MR. HUGO: Even better!
ARLO: I did the choreography. We're definitely going to win.
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo steps out from behind a different bookshelf.
MR. HUGO: Hey, good luck with that.
DESCRIPTION: Arlo walks over to a boom box. Georgie and Tia stretch. Mr. Hugo returns to the library cart.
MR. HUGO: Wait... That book was definitely purple and not fuchsia.
[Mr. Hugo gasp]
MR. HUGO: Or heaven forbid, lavender?
[Dewey gasps]
MR. HUGO: Oh, Dewey, I think I put the book in the wrong place!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo looks toward Georgia, Tia and Arlo.
MR. HUGO: Hey, um, good luck with your... thing. Ugh!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo walks over to the bookshelves and looks back and forth between the many shelves. He spins around.
[Dewey sighs]
[Bright music]
DESCRIPTION: Georgie, Tia and Arlo practice their Matariki dance in the large reading nook. They spin around, clap, and wiggle their bodies. Georgie and Arlo jump and pose with their arms crossed.
[Silly music]
DESCRIPTION: Tia continues dancing, waving her arms and wiggling her legs.
ARLO: Ahem!
[Music fades]
DESCRIPTION: Tia stops dancing.
TIA: Sorry, my dancing went a bit weird at the end.
GEORGIE: It's okay, Tia. I kinda liked it. Right, Arlo?
ARLO: All good. Let's try it again, people.
TIA: Maybe we could make my move the new ending?
ARLO: I appreciate your enthusiasm, but everyone thinks my dance moves are the best.
TIA: You asked everyone?
ARLO: No, but I watched videos on all the past winners. I know what's popular. And again, people!
[Clattering]
MR HUGO: Ignore me!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo walks over to the reading nook.
ARLO: Excuse me?
MR. HUGO: Oh, I said ignore me.
ARLO: We will?
TIA: Actually, do you have any books on dancing normally?
MR. HUGO: They're normally in the boogie-woogie section. But sometimes, they waltz on over to the wordplay section.
TIA: Thanks, I need all the help I can get. Check it out.
[Silly music]
DESCRIPTION: Tia waves her arms and wiggles her legs.
MR. HUGO: I love that! I've never seen anything like that before!
TIA: Is that a good thing?
ARLO: Is that a good thing?
MR. HUGO: Always. Unless you're a book I've never seen before, in which case, it may cause undue concerns.
[Sparkling chime]
DESCRIPTION: On a shelf, a light shines on a book with a singing moustached frog on the cover. The book sparkles.
MR. HUGO: Sorry, Library, I don't have time to read a book right now, I'm trying to be the best librarian.
TIA: But isn't reading what the best librarian would do?
MR. HUGO: Hm.
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo looks back and forth between the book and Tia. He grabs the book off the shelf.
MR. HUGO: Who has time for a good story? Me paanui taatou, let's read together.
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo carries the book over to the reading nook and takes a seat on the throne chair in the centre. Georgie, Tia and Arlo gather around him. Dewey joins.
[Bright music]
MR. HUGO: This book is called "Frankie the Frog" by Cliff Hanger.
[Sparkling chime]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo opens the book and is transported into a storybook world. On a stage decorated as a pond, Mr. Hugo wears a purple dragonfly costume that includes a large purple wig with antennae sticking out and big, sparkly dragonfly eyes on the sides, a purple handlebar moustache, wings, and a purple suit.
MR. HUGO: Once a-pond a time...
[Magical serene music]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo walks across the stage. He spins over to a golden podium and begins to read.
MR. HUGO: There was a frog named Frankie who had but one dream in his little froggie heart.
DESCRIPTION: Frankie the Frog walks onto the stage. Frankie wears a green wig and a sparkly green costume.
FRANKIE: There is but one dream in my little froggie heart, to be a wonderful singer!
MR. HUGO: There was one teeny tiny, itsy-bitsy problem...
FRANKIE [croaking off key]: Ahh!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo plugs his ears.
MR. HUGO: Frankie's singing wasn't exactly wonderful. He tried his utmost to sound just like his very favourite singers.
FRANKIE [croaking off key]: Ahh!
MR. HUGO: Frankie practiced every morning at the lily pond, because the acoustics there were amazing.
[Franking doing vocal exercises]
MR. HUGO: One morning, his third favourite singer in the whole wide world, Tiare the Tui, happened by.
DESCRIPTION: Tiare the Tui, a bird, walks across the pond. Tiare wears a black wig, a black feathery dress, and silver bracelets on her gloved hands.
FRANKIE: Gasp!
TIARE: Do you mind if I practice singing here? The acoustics are amazing.
DESCRIPTION: Tiare brushes Frankie aside.
TIARE [singing smoothly]: La-la-la-la-la-la-la!
FRANKIE: Oh, Tiare, you have such a wonderful voice!
TIARE: I don't know if I'd say it's wonderful, but if you say I have the most wonderful voice in all of Aotearoa New Zealand, your words, not mine, then who am I to argue?
FRANKIE: Let's see if I can sound like you.
FRANKIE [singing off key]: La-la-la-la-la-la-la!
DESCRIPTION: Tiare cringes.
TIARE: Keep practicing, Frankie. Maybe one day, you'll sound like me.
FRANKIE: Thanks! Can I please get a picture for my three followers?
DESCRIPTION: Frankie takes a selfie with Tiare with his phone.
[Camera shutter clicking]
MR. HUGO: Later that day, Frankie's second favourite pop star in the whole world, Piki the Puukeko, happened by!
DESCRIPTION: Piki the Puukeko, a bird, struts across the pond. Piki wears a colourful wig and a blue dress with pink tights.
FRANKIE: Gasp! Oh, Piki, I'm your biggest fan!
PIKI: I don't blame you, I'm pretty great. Do you mind if I practice singing here? The acoustics are amazing.
PIKI [singing smoothly]: Me-me-me-me-me-me-me!
DESCRIPTION: Piki takes selfies with her phone.
[Camera shutter clicking]
FRANKIE: Wow! That was amazing!
PIKI: Yeah, and that's just me warming up.
FRANKIE: Maybe your warm-up style will work for me?
FRANKIE [singing off key]: Me-me-me-me-me-me-me!
DESCRIPTION: Piki and Mr. Hugo cringe.
PIKI: Even though I'm primarily known as a wandering bird, I can fly if disturbed. And I am disturbed.
DESCRIPTION: Piki leaves.
[Wings flapping]
DESCRIPTION: In the library…
TIA: I feel sorry for Frankie the frog. He's just trying his best to sound like everyone else.
GEORGIE: He should try sounding like himself.
TIA: Yeah, that might be a lot easier.
GEORGIE: And more interesting. Don't you reckon, Arlo?
DESCRIPTION: Georgie looks at Arlo and purses her lips.
ARLO: Hm. Not really, no.
GEORGIE: Don't you think it's better for people to sound, or dance, like themselves?
[Dewey babbling softly]
ARLO: No, I don't think so.
DESCRIPTION: Dewey and Tia share a look. Tia shrugs.
DEWEY [in gibberish]: Don't worry, Tia.
DESCRIPTION: In the book…
MR. HUGO: Even later that day, Frankie's number one favourite singer in the whole wide world, Kiri the Piipiiwharauroa, happened by!
DESCRIPTION: Kiri the Piipiiwharauroa, a bird, walks into the pond and takes selfies with her phone. Kiri wears a big white wig and a dark feathery dress.
[Camera shutter clicking]
MR. HUGO: Frankie was speechless!
[Stunned groans]
KIRI: Do you mind if I practice singing here? The acoustics are amazing.
KIRI [singing smoothly]: Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah!
DESCRIPTION: Kiri shakes her feathers.
MR. HUGO: Finally, Frankie was able to speak.
FRANKIE: You're such a wonderful singer, Kiri! I've always wanted to sing just like you.
DESCRIPTION: Kiri steps aside. Frankie takes her place.
FRANKIE [singing off key]: Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah!
KIRI: Hm. May I give you some advice?
DESCRIPTION: Frankie nods.
KIRI: Try using your real voice.
FRANKIE: My real voice is kind of weird. Everyone says so.
KIRI: Who cares? Being you is the best thing you can be.
DESCRIPTION: Frankie nods.
FRANKIE [singing with a deep, smooth voice]: Ooh-whoa, ooh-whoa, ooh-whoa!
DESCRIPTION: Tiare returns to the pond.
TIARE: Who's making that weird and wonderful sound?
DESCRIPTION: Frankie points to himself and grins. Piki returns to the pond.
PIKI: I've never heard anything like it before!
DESCRIPTION: Frankie shrugs.
KIRI: We've been looking for a back-up singer.
TIARE: Someone different.
PIKI: Someone just like you!
[Applause]
DESCRIPTION: Frankie jumps and claps. Mr. Hugo crosses his hands over his chest and smiles. Frankie sings with Tiare, Piki and Kiri.
[Frankie, Tiare, Piki and Kiri harmonizing]
FRANKIE, TIARE, PIKI AND KIRI [singing]: Bap-bap-bap-bap.
TIARE [singing]: Although you may be different, and that might be quite true. There may be three of us, but there is only one of you.
PIKI [singing]: And that's what makes you special. That's what makes you shine. Your un-frog-getable quality ain't the same as hers –
PIKI: Or hers.
KIRI: Or mine!
KIRI [singing]: We thought our pitch was perfect, but you march to your own beak. We had to look no feather coz your croak is so unique.
TIARE, PIKI AND KIRI [singing]: Although you may be different, we think that's pretty cool. Doing the very best you can is the best that you can do.
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo walks onto the stage.
MR. HUGO: So, I've been toad that Frankie Frog had hopped to sing along, since birds of a feather flock together, he felt like he was wrong. Once he used his special gift to join their warbling song, he rounded out the lovely sound to the music of the pond!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo dances with Kiri, Piki, Tiare and Frankie.
TIARE, PIKI AND KIRI: Although you may be different, and that may be quite true, there may be three of us, but there is only one of you.
DESCRIPTION: In the Little Library, Mr. Hugo dances with Georgie, Arlo and Tie. On the bench, Dewey wiggles about. Mr. Hugo, Georgie, Arlo and Tia strike a pose beneath the library disco ball as colourful lights shine around them.
[Enchanting music]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo returns to his seat, and the Frankie the Frog book drops into his hands. Mr. Hugo closes the book as Georgie, Arlo and Tia join him.
TIA: Thanks, Mr. Hugo. You're an amazing librarian.
MR. HUGO: I do my Mr. Hugo best.
DESCRIPTION: Georgie looks at Arlo. Arlo turns to Tia.
ARLO: Hey, Tia, I might've been a bit hasty about your dance moves. I think they'll add something unique to our Matariki dance. Will you teach us?
DESCRIPTION: Tia jumps to her feet and puts her hands on her hips.
TIA: Who's ready to practice?
GEORGIE AND ARLO: Me!
MR. HUGO: Not me! I have a book to shelve!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo leaves with the Frankie the Frog book. Georgie and Arlo stand. Tia steps forward, and Arlo starts the boom box.
[Upbeat music]
DESCRIPTION: At the desk, Mr. Hugo holds the purple, square book.
MR. HUGO: You know what?
DEWEY [in gibberish]: What?
MR. HUGO: I'm a pretty weird librarian. And I'm a pretty great one too. And I say: this book goes in my, "Don't know what section" section!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo throws the book over his head.
[Thud]
DEWEY [in gibberish]: Yay! You are both weird and wonderful.
MR. HUGO: Thank you, Dewey. I am weird and wonderful. Just like my library.
DEWEY [in gibberish]: And your friends.
MR. HUGO: And my friends.
DEWEY [in gibberish]: Aw. Yeah.
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo rests his elbow on the desk and his chin in his hand. Dewey rests his chin on the end of his tail.
[Bright music plays]
[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. C.M.P.A., Canadian Media Producers Association. Writers Guild of Canada. Logos: Epic Story Media (it’s gonna be epic!). Gibson Group. A New Zealand - Canada Co-Production. Copyright 2026 Little Library Productions NZ Ltd. and Little Library Productions CA Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Descriptive Transcript
[Bright music]
[Logo] “t.v.o kids original.”
DESCRIPTION: 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 is decorated with blue walls, a pink chandelier, a red-and-blue desk, lamps, and reading nooks. Fairy lights shine in a tree. At the desk, Mr. Hugo stands facing Dewey and holds up a tiny book. 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. Dewey is a fluffy, striped, green-and-orange bookworm puppet with a voluminous head of bright orange hair.
MR. HUGO: "The Little Book of Cars" by N. Jin goes in the... autobiography section!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo tosses the tiny book over his shoulder and reaches for another.
MR. HUGO: Obviously. "The Big Book of Rubbish" by General Waste goes in litter-ature section!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo throws a book full of garbage over his shoulder and looks at another.
MR. HUGO: Of course. Hm... "The Medium-Sized Book of Emergencies" by Justin Case goes in... the emergency section. Too easy!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo throws a book with a bandage on the cover over his head, and it flies into place on a bookshelf. Mr. Hugo picks up a purple book with a picture of himself on the cover, shrugging.
[Dewey cooing]
MR. HUGO: And this book goes... Hm... Dewey?
DEWEY, IN GIBBERISH: Yes?
MR. HUGO: I hate to judge a book by its cover, but... this is a mystery, so... mystery section?
DEWEY, IN GIBBERISH: I don't know!
MR. HUGO: It is square, so square section?
DEWEY [in gibberish]: Hm...
MR. HUGO: Well, I'm the best librarian I know. I'll figure it out.
DEWEY [in gibberish]: Yeah!
MR. HUGO: Right?
DEWEY: Mm-hmm!
[Upbeat music]
[Logo] “A T.V.N.Z Original”.
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo reads to his friends: Georgie, Tia, and Arlo. Georgie has dark blond hair and wears a black cardigan and red barrettes. Tia wears her brown hair in pigtails and a purple sweater. Arlo has dark 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. In various stories, drag queens dress 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 ornithological musical ethology?
[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]
In the library, Mr. Hugo pushes Dewey on a cart full of books, including the square, purple book.
MR. HUGO: If I was a book, where would I be?
[Sparkling chime]
DESCRIPTION: Georgie and Tia ride down the library slide and join Mr. Hugo and Dewey.
TIA: Hi, Dewey!
DEWEY [in gibberish]: Hi, Tia!
DESCRIPTION: Arlo rides down the slide and joins Georgie and Tia.
ARLO: Kia ora, Mr. Hugo.
MR. HUGO: What's up, buttercups?
ARLO: Cool if we practice our Matariki dance here, Mr. H?
MR. HUGO: Fine by me, bumblebees.
DESCRIPTION: Georgie and Arlo grin and pump their fists. They follow Tia over to the desk and set their backpacks down. Mr. Hugo looks at the purple book.
MR. HUGO: This book is purple, so...
DEWEY [in gibberish]: Maybe. Could be?
MR. HUGO: Yes! Definitely the purple section. I knew we'd get there in the end, Dewey.
DESCRIPTION: Dewey nods. Mr. Hugo steps away from the cart.
TIA: Hey, Mr. Hugo. There's a dance competition at school for Māori New Year!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo briefly peeks out from between two bookshelves.
MR. HUGO: Uh-huh!
ARLO: And we're going to win.
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo peeks out from between the bookshelves again.
MR. HUGO: Great!
GEORGIE: We're going to try to win.
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo steps out from behind the far bookshelf.
MR. HUGO: Even better!
ARLO: I did the choreography. We're definitely going to win.
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo steps out from behind a different bookshelf.
MR. HUGO: Hey, good luck with that.
DESCRIPTION: Arlo walks over to a boom box. Georgie and Tia stretch. Mr. Hugo returns to the library cart.
MR. HUGO: Wait... That book was definitely purple and not fuchsia.
[Mr. Hugo gasp]
MR. HUGO: Or heaven forbid, lavender?
[Dewey gasps]
MR. HUGO: Oh, Dewey, I think I put the book in the wrong place!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo looks toward Georgia, Tia and Arlo.
MR. HUGO: Hey, um, good luck with your... thing. Ugh!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo walks over to the bookshelves and looks back and forth between the many shelves. He spins around.
[Dewey sighs]
[Bright music]
DESCRIPTION: Georgie, Tia and Arlo practice their Matariki dance in the large reading nook. They spin around, clap, and wiggle their bodies. Georgie and Arlo jump and pose with their arms crossed.
[Silly music]
DESCRIPTION: Tia continues dancing, waving her arms and wiggling her legs.
ARLO: Ahem!
[Music fades]
DESCRIPTION: Tia stops dancing.
TIA: Sorry, my dancing went a bit weird at the end.
GEORGIE: It's okay, Tia. I kinda liked it. Right, Arlo?
ARLO: All good. Let's try it again, people.
TIA: Maybe we could make my move the new ending?
ARLO: I appreciate your enthusiasm, but everyone thinks my dance moves are the best.
TIA: You asked everyone?
ARLO: No, but I watched videos on all the past winners. I know what's popular. And again, people!
[Clattering]
MR HUGO: Ignore me!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo walks over to the reading nook.
ARLO: Excuse me?
MR. HUGO: Oh, I said ignore me.
ARLO: We will?
TIA: Actually, do you have any books on dancing normally?
MR. HUGO: They're normally in the boogie-woogie section. But sometimes, they waltz on over to the wordplay section.
TIA: Thanks, I need all the help I can get. Check it out.
[Silly music]
DESCRIPTION: Tia waves her arms and wiggles her legs.
MR. HUGO: I love that! I've never seen anything like that before!
TIA: Is that a good thing?
ARLO: Is that a good thing?
MR. HUGO: Always. Unless you're a book I've never seen before, in which case, it may cause undue concerns.
[Sparkling chime]
DESCRIPTION: On a shelf, a light shines on a book with a singing moustached frog on the cover. The book sparkles.
MR. HUGO: Sorry, Library, I don't have time to read a book right now, I'm trying to be the best librarian.
TIA: But isn't reading what the best librarian would do?
MR. HUGO: Hm.
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo looks back and forth between the book and Tia. He grabs the book off the shelf.
MR. HUGO: Who has time for a good story? Me paanui taatou, let's read together.
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo carries the book over to the reading nook and takes a seat on the throne chair in the centre. Georgie, Tia and Arlo gather around him. Dewey joins.
[Bright music]
MR. HUGO: This book is called "Frankie the Frog" by Cliff Hanger.
[Sparkling chime]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo opens the book and is transported into a storybook world. On a stage decorated as a pond, Mr. Hugo wears a purple dragonfly costume that includes a large purple wig with antennae sticking out and big, sparkly dragonfly eyes on the sides, a purple handlebar moustache, wings, and a purple suit.
MR. HUGO: Once a-pond a time...
[Magical serene music]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo walks across the stage. He spins over to a golden podium and begins to read.
MR. HUGO: There was a frog named Frankie who had but one dream in his little froggie heart.
DESCRIPTION: Frankie the Frog walks onto the stage. Frankie wears a green wig and a sparkly green costume.
FRANKIE: There is but one dream in my little froggie heart, to be a wonderful singer!
MR. HUGO: There was one teeny tiny, itsy-bitsy problem...
FRANKIE [croaking off key]: Ahh!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo plugs his ears.
MR. HUGO: Frankie's singing wasn't exactly wonderful. He tried his utmost to sound just like his very favourite singers.
FRANKIE [croaking off key]: Ahh!
MR. HUGO: Frankie practiced every morning at the lily pond, because the acoustics there were amazing.
[Franking doing vocal exercises]
MR. HUGO: One morning, his third favourite singer in the whole wide world, Tiare the Tui, happened by.
DESCRIPTION: Tiare the Tui, a bird, walks across the pond. Tiare wears a black wig, a black feathery dress, and silver bracelets on her gloved hands.
FRANKIE: Gasp!
TIARE: Do you mind if I practice singing here? The acoustics are amazing.
DESCRIPTION: Tiare brushes Frankie aside.
TIARE [singing smoothly]: La-la-la-la-la-la-la!
FRANKIE: Oh, Tiare, you have such a wonderful voice!
TIARE: I don't know if I'd say it's wonderful, but if you say I have the most wonderful voice in all of Aotearoa New Zealand, your words, not mine, then who am I to argue?
FRANKIE: Let's see if I can sound like you.
FRANKIE [singing off key]: La-la-la-la-la-la-la!
DESCRIPTION: Tiare cringes.
TIARE: Keep practicing, Frankie. Maybe one day, you'll sound like me.
FRANKIE: Thanks! Can I please get a picture for my three followers?
DESCRIPTION: Frankie takes a selfie with Tiare with his phone.
[Camera shutter clicking]
MR. HUGO: Later that day, Frankie's second favourite pop star in the whole world, Piki the Puukeko, happened by!
DESCRIPTION: Piki the Puukeko, a bird, struts across the pond. Piki wears a colourful wig and a blue dress with pink tights.
FRANKIE: Gasp! Oh, Piki, I'm your biggest fan!
PIKI: I don't blame you, I'm pretty great. Do you mind if I practice singing here? The acoustics are amazing.
PIKI [singing smoothly]: Me-me-me-me-me-me-me!
DESCRIPTION: Piki takes selfies with her phone.
[Camera shutter clicking]
FRANKIE: Wow! That was amazing!
PIKI: Yeah, and that's just me warming up.
FRANKIE: Maybe your warm-up style will work for me?
FRANKIE [singing off key]: Me-me-me-me-me-me-me!
DESCRIPTION: Piki and Mr. Hugo cringe.
PIKI: Even though I'm primarily known as a wandering bird, I can fly if disturbed. And I am disturbed.
DESCRIPTION: Piki leaves.
[Wings flapping]
DESCRIPTION: In the library…
TIA: I feel sorry for Frankie the frog. He's just trying his best to sound like everyone else.
GEORGIE: He should try sounding like himself.
TIA: Yeah, that might be a lot easier.
GEORGIE: And more interesting. Don't you reckon, Arlo?
DESCRIPTION: Georgie looks at Arlo and purses her lips.
ARLO: Hm. Not really, no.
GEORGIE: Don't you think it's better for people to sound, or dance, like themselves?
[Dewey babbling softly]
ARLO: No, I don't think so.
DESCRIPTION: Dewey and Tia share a look. Tia shrugs.
DEWEY [in gibberish]: Don't worry, Tia.
DESCRIPTION: In the book…
MR. HUGO: Even later that day, Frankie's number one favourite singer in the whole wide world, Kiri the Piipiiwharauroa, happened by!
DESCRIPTION: Kiri the Piipiiwharauroa, a bird, walks into the pond and takes selfies with her phone. Kiri wears a big white wig and a dark feathery dress.
[Camera shutter clicking]
MR. HUGO: Frankie was speechless!
[Stunned groans]
KIRI: Do you mind if I practice singing here? The acoustics are amazing.
KIRI [singing smoothly]: Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah!
DESCRIPTION: Kiri shakes her feathers.
MR. HUGO: Finally, Frankie was able to speak.
FRANKIE: You're such a wonderful singer, Kiri! I've always wanted to sing just like you.
DESCRIPTION: Kiri steps aside. Frankie takes her place.
FRANKIE [singing off key]: Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah!
KIRI: Hm. May I give you some advice?
DESCRIPTION: Frankie nods.
KIRI: Try using your real voice.
FRANKIE: My real voice is kind of weird. Everyone says so.
KIRI: Who cares? Being you is the best thing you can be.
DESCRIPTION: Frankie nods.
FRANKIE [singing with a deep, smooth voice]: Ooh-whoa, ooh-whoa, ooh-whoa!
DESCRIPTION: Tiare returns to the pond.
TIARE: Who's making that weird and wonderful sound?
DESCRIPTION: Frankie points to himself and grins. Piki returns to the pond.
PIKI: I've never heard anything like it before!
DESCRIPTION: Frankie shrugs.
KIRI: We've been looking for a back-up singer.
TIARE: Someone different.
PIKI: Someone just like you!
[Applause]
DESCRIPTION: Frankie jumps and claps. Mr. Hugo crosses his hands over his chest and smiles. Frankie sings with Tiare, Piki and Kiri.
[Frankie, Tiare, Piki and Kiri harmonizing]
FRANKIE, TIARE, PIKI AND KIRI [singing]: Bap-bap-bap-bap.
TIARE [singing]: Although you may be different, and that might be quite true. There may be three of us, but there is only one of you.
PIKI [singing]: And that's what makes you special. That's what makes you shine. Your un-frog-getable quality ain't the same as hers –
PIKI: Or hers.
KIRI: Or mine!
KIRI [singing]: We thought our pitch was perfect, but you march to your own beak. We had to look no feather coz your croak is so unique.
TIARE, PIKI AND KIRI [singing]: Although you may be different, we think that's pretty cool. Doing the very best you can is the best that you can do.
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo walks onto the stage.
MR. HUGO: So, I've been toad that Frankie Frog had hopped to sing along, since birds of a feather flock together, he felt like he was wrong. Once he used his special gift to join their warbling song, he rounded out the lovely sound to the music of the pond!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo dances with Kiri, Piki, Tiare and Frankie.
TIARE, PIKI AND KIRI: Although you may be different, and that may be quite true, there may be three of us, but there is only one of you.
DESCRIPTION: In the Little Library, Mr. Hugo dances with Georgie, Arlo and Tie. On the bench, Dewey wiggles about. Mr. Hugo, Georgie, Arlo and Tia strike a pose beneath the library disco ball as colourful lights shine around them.
[Enchanting music]
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo returns to his seat, and the Frankie the Frog book drops into his hands. Mr. Hugo closes the book as Georgie, Arlo and Tia join him.
TIA: Thanks, Mr. Hugo. You're an amazing librarian.
MR. HUGO: I do my Mr. Hugo best.
DESCRIPTION: Georgie looks at Arlo. Arlo turns to Tia.
ARLO: Hey, Tia, I might've been a bit hasty about your dance moves. I think they'll add something unique to our Matariki dance. Will you teach us?
DESCRIPTION: Tia jumps to her feet and puts her hands on her hips.
TIA: Who's ready to practice?
GEORGIE AND ARLO: Me!
MR. HUGO: Not me! I have a book to shelve!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo leaves with the Frankie the Frog book. Georgie and Arlo stand. Tia steps forward, and Arlo starts the boom box.
[Upbeat music]
DESCRIPTION: At the desk, Mr. Hugo holds the purple, square book.
MR. HUGO: You know what?
DEWEY [in gibberish]: What?
MR. HUGO: I'm a pretty weird librarian. And I'm a pretty great one too. And I say: this book goes in my, "Don't know what section" section!
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo throws the book over his head.
[Thud]
DEWEY [in gibberish]: Yay! You are both weird and wonderful.
MR. HUGO: Thank you, Dewey. I am weird and wonderful. Just like my library.
DEWEY [in gibberish]: And your friends.
MR. HUGO: And my friends.
DEWEY [in gibberish]: Aw. Yeah.
DESCRIPTION: Mr. Hugo rests his elbow on the desk and his chin in his hand. Dewey rests his chin on the end of his tail.
[Bright music plays]
[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. C.M.P.A., Canadian Media Producers Association. Writers Guild of Canada. Logos: Epic Story Media (it’s gonna be epic!). Gibson Group. A New Zealand - Canada Co-Production. Copyright 2026 Little Library Productions NZ Ltd. and Little Library Productions CA Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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