How the Magic Shelf works.
We're keeping it beautifully simple for the MVP: real books, real families, in real rooms. No app, no inventory, no subscription, just a community of parents passing stories on.
Pick up your old books
Choose Greek children's books your child has outgrown picture books, early readers or chapter books. Multilingual titles welcome too. Each book should be clean, complete and in good condition.
Come to the swap event
We meet in Utrecht for a warm, family-friendly morning. Drop your books at the welcome table and you'll receive tokens one per accepted book to spend at the swap tables.
Storytime, coloring & crafts
While parents browse, the kids enjoy a Greek storytime corner and a coloring station. Grown-ups meet other Greek and multilingual families over coffee. Craft corner is powered by Giggly Cloud.
Take new favourites home
Trade your tokens for new-to-you stories. Anything left over goes to schools, daycares and community libraries every book finds a home.
Got a stack at home?
Even if you can't make the event, donate your outgrown books and they'll find a new little reader at the next swap.
Donate booksOur collaborators
We cannot make this happen without little help from the Book Swap Cicle and Giggly Cloud.
Frequently asked.
What languages are the books in?+
Greek is our heart language — but we welcome English, Dutch and other multilingual children's titles too. Most books at the first event will be in Greek.
What ages are the books for?+
Our event focuses on ages 3–10 — picture books, early readers and short chapter books. Siblings outside that range are still welcome to come along.
How does the swap actually work?+
Each child brings children's books they've outgrown. At the welcome table we check them for condition and give you tokens — one per accepted book. You then trade your tokens for new books on the swap tables.
What if my child has no books to bring?+
No problem! The €5 entry fee still covers your child's tokens for the day, so they can take new books home regardless.
What kind of books do you accept?+
Clean, complete and age-appropriate children's books in good condition. We can't accept torn books, books missing pages or covers, heavily scribbled-in books, or adult books.
How much does it cost?+
€5 per child — paid on the day by iDEAL or cash. The fee covers venue costs, coffee, the storytime corner and craft supplies.
Where and when is the event?+
Spring 2026 in Utrecht. The exact date and venue go out by email to families who register, around two weeks before the event.
What happens to leftover books?+
Nothing goes to waste. Extra donated books support future events, schools, daycares, community libraries and families who need them.
Will there be more events after this one?+
If demand is there — yes. The Utrecht event is our pilot. We'll use what we learn to plan more swaps across Utrecht, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague.
Is there a subscription or app?+
Not yet. We're starting in-person and on purpose. If the community grows, a small membership model with pickup points and wishlists may follow later.
Still curious? Email hello@tomagikorafi.nl — we love hearing from new families.