Growing Little Bookworms, One Book at a Time.
Growing Little Bookworms,
One Book at a Time.
Welcome to Little Libraries; empowering early childhood educators and parents to help children fall in love with reading.
Our Goals
Addressing Declining Literacy Rates
The project, led by The Values Trust, seeks to combat the concerning decline in children's literacy rates in Aotearoa (New Zealand) over the past two decades.
Creating Engaging Learning Environments
Through unique modular forest-themed kitsets, Little Libraries aims not only to house books but also to create attractive and interactive reading environments that encourage storytelling and imagination.
Reducing Literacy Gaps
By focusing on early childhood education (ECE) centres in high deprivation areas, the project aims to reduce literacy gaps and break the cycle of declining literacy in Aotearoa. It might surprise you to learn that ECEs don’t receive any funding for books, so many are reliant on secondhand donations and aren’t able to provide exciting or relevant books for the children.
Inspiring 100,000 Kiwi Kids
Our primary goal is to help 100,000 Kiwi kids fall in love with reading by providing the early childhood centres they attend with beautifully designed kitset libraries which are stocked with award-winning children's books by Kiwi authors, with a focus on a diverse range of titles and a mix of both English and Te Reo.
Focus on Early Development
Little Libraries focuses on the critical developmental stage of 2-5 years as the ideal time to instil a lifelong love for reading, building a strong foundation for future success.
Addressing Declining Literacy Rates
The project, led by The Values Trust, seeks to combat the concerning decline in children's literacy rates in Aotearoa (New Zealand) over the past two decades.
Creating Engaging Learning Environments
Through unique modular forest-themed kitsets, Little Libraries aims not only to house books but also to create attractive and interactive reading environments that encourage storytelling and imagination.
Focus on Early Development
Little Libraries focuses on the critical developmental stage of 2-5 years as the ideal time to instil a lifelong love for reading, building a strong foundation for future success.
Inspiring 100,000 Kiwi Kids
Our primary goal is to help 100,000 Kiwi kids fall in love with reading by providing the early childhood centres they attend with beautifully designed kitset libraries which are stocked with award-winning children's books by Kiwi authors, with a focus on a diverse range of titles and a mix of both English and Te Reo.
Reducing Literacy Gaps
By focusing on early childhood education (ECE) centres in high deprivation areas, the project aims to reduce literacy gaps and break the cycle of declining literacy in Aotearoa. It might surprise you to learn that ECEs don’t receive any funding for books, so many are reliant on secondhand donations and aren’t able to provide exciting or relevant books for the children.
Little Libraries
We’re actively rolling out interactive kitset libraries to ECE centres across Aotearoa, focusing on those in the highest deprivation areas. 100 Little Libraries were shipped in 2024, and another 120 in 2025, reaching over 15,000 tamariki. These kitsets feature a unique modular forest design, including five shelving units shaped as trees, shrubs, and rocks. Not only do these kitsets house the books, but they also create a beautiful reading environment in your centre. What’s more, they empower the children to tell their own stories and fuel their imaginations.
Feedback so far has been very encouraging, here are some of our favourite quotes from educators.
We’re actively rolling out interactive kitset libraries to ECE centres across Aotearoa, focusing on those in the highest deprivation areas. These kitsets feature a unique modular forest design, including five shelving units shaped as trees, shrubs, and rocks. Not only do these kitsets house the books, but they also create a beautiful reading environment in your centre. What’s more, they empower the children to tell their own stories and fuel their imaginations.
We have trialled Little Libraries in four centres across Auckland and the feedback so far has been great, here are some of our favourite quotes from educators:
The Books
Our Mascots
In addition to the kitsets, we’ve created charming mascot characters — two tamariki, a tuatara, and a moa. These characters play a crucial role in inspiring children to dive into the world of reading; sparking their imagination and wonder.
In addition to the kitsets, we’ve created charming mascot characters — two tamariki, a tuatara, and a moa. These characters play an engaging role in inspiring children to dive into the world of reading; sparking their imagination and wonder.
Our Partners
We’re proud to collaborate with a network of amazing organisations and individuals who share our vision for nurturing young minds and fostering a love for reading. These partners are instrumental in making the Little Libraries project a reality. Together, we’re breaking the cycle of declining literacy rates in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and empowering children to embark on a lifelong journey of learning through the magic of books. We are so grateful to all our partners for their wonderful support and commitment.
We’re proud to collaborate with a network of amazing organisations and individuals who share our vision for nurturing young minds and fostering a love for reading. These partners are instrumental in making the Little Libraries project a reality. Together, we’re breaking the cycle of declining literacy rates in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and empowering children to embark on a lifelong journey of learning through the magic of books. We are so grateful to all our partners for their wonderful support and commitment.
User Guide
If you’re after a more in-depth explanation about the Little Libraries initiative, then feel free to download our user guide. These user guides accompany all of our Little Library kitsets and are designed with early childhood educators in mind.
If you’re after a more in-depth explanation about the Little Libraries initiative, then feel free to download our user guide. These user guides accompany all of our Little Library kitsets and are designed with early childhood educators in mind.
Assembly Instructions
Book Resources
Here you can find helpful educator resources that accompany the books we we provide with our Little Libraries.
Our 2024 Survey Outcomes
Tamariki Are More Engaged
- 66% are seeing more interaction with books
- 59% are observing more overall engagement
Positive behaviours include better book care, storytelling, and independent choice.
Strong Endorsement
- 92% would recommend Little Libraries to other centres
- Most centres reported increased literacy engagement and inclusivity
- Shelving and books are valued
“It’s not just a shelf—it’s a whole shift in how we use and love books.”
Better Books, Better Access
“The tree makes books visible. Children now spot them straight away.”
More Reading, Enjoyment & Fun
- 73% said tamariki are reading more often
- 53% said tamariki are asking to be read-to more
- 58% said staff are reading more often
- 1 in 5 centres saw increased whānau reading at drop-off and pick-up
“It encourages families to spend time reading with their kids before leaving.”
Get in touch
Please reach out to us if you have any questions, ideas or contributions you would like to make to the project, we would love to hear from you!
Either email us directly at Kiaora@LittleLibraries.co.nz or click through and fill out the form below.
Please reach out to us if you have any questions, ideas or contributions you would like to make to the project, we would love to hear from you!
Either email us directly at kiaora@littlelibraries.co.nz or click through and fill out the form below.