Help Save The Little Bookroom

Melbourne’s beloved Little Bookroom is at a turning point. We need your help to give it a new home, a new chapter, and a future that honours its extraordinary past.

Founded by Albert Ullin OAM in 1960, The Little Bookroom was Australia’s very first bookstore dedicated solely to children’s literature.

Over time, it has become something even rarer — a living legacy to the power of books, imagination, and community. In fact, it’s now the oldest children’s bookshop in the world!

For more than six decades, it’s been a haven for readers young and old, a meeting place for authors and illustrators, and a cultural treasure for Melbourne, Australia, and the global children’s book community.

The store has weathered many moves and challenges over the years. Most recently, the pandemic and other personal circumstances meant the incredible Lambert family, who cared for the store for 17 years, had to step away.

The doors at St Georges Road have closed. But this doesn’t have to be the end.

I'm Michael Earp , and I’ve dedicated my life to children’s and young adult literature. I was The Little Bookroom’s manager from 2018–2022, and in 2021 I was awarded the Bookseller of the Year by Book People (the Australian Booksellers Association).

I believe this beautiful bookshop deserves to celebrate its 65th birthday—and many more to come.

But to make that happen, we need your help.

This GoFundMe will help us:

Share in the joy of knowing you’ve helped save a piece of children’s literary history

About me

I’m Michael Earp, a non-binary writer and bookseller living in Naarm/Melbourne, with over 23 years’ experience in bookselling and publishing as a Children's Book specialist. I’ve worked with publishers like Walker Books and Affirm Press, and bookstores including Kinokuniya, Borders, The Younger Sun, and (of course) The Little Bookroom.

I hold a Masters in Children’s Literature and a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education, and I’m currently Chair of the Board for Q-Lit, Victoria's Queer Literature Festival. I’m also the editor and contributor to Everything Under the Moon: Fairy tales in a queer , Kindred: 12 Queer #LoveOzYA Stories , and Avast! Pirate Stories by Transgender Authors, co-edited by Alison Evans.

I believe passionately in creating spaces where every child can see themselves in the stories they read.

Tea is the source of all my power.

*Photos of the recent shop and portrait of Michael by Piccolo Angelo Photo

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I’m not asking for help with ongoing costs. I’m asking for a launchpad—a chance to give The Little Bookroom the future it deserves.

If every person who has fond memories of the store, who believes in the importance of children’s literature, or who wants to see this cultural landmark continue—if every one of you gives even a little—it can live on.

Let’s write the next chapter together.

Donate. Share. Spread the word.

All donations will be received by Michael Earp and used to cover costs involved with the moving and set up of The Little Bookroom in a new location so that the shop has the best chance of a long future. The more raised by this GoFundMe will reduce the amount of money Michael needs to borrow and therefore the new shop can open on a solid foundation and focus on thriving into the future.

No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe.