about killara press

Killara Press Pty Ltd is an independent Australian publishing house based in New South Wales.

Founded by Geoff Kopping, Killara Press exists to create engaging, thought-provoking stories and educational resources that help children grow in literacy, resilience, and character.

Our flagship series, Hazardous Harold™, blends humour, heart, and life lessons through unforgettable adventures designed to support parents, educators, and young readers.

We specialise in:

  • Children’s fiction

  • Educational resources

  • Audiobooks and interactive audio

  • Downloadable learning materials

  • School-aligned teaching content

Killara Press is committed to producing high-quality, values-driven content that supports literacy development and positive character formation.

We believe stories matter.
We believe learning should be engaging.
And we believe books can shape futures.

PUBLISHING STANDARDS & ETHICS STATEMENT

Responsible Use of Technology

Killara Press Pty Ltd may utilize modern creative technologies, including artificial intelligence tools, to assist with research, drafting, visual concept development, and strategic planning.

All published works are subject to human editorial oversight and final approval.

We maintain responsibility for the integrity, accuracy, and educational suitability of our materials.

1. Educational Integrity

Our publications are designed to:

  • Encourage literacy development

  • Support critical thinking

  • Promote character growth and resilience

  • Complement classroom learning

While our content may align with recognised educational principles, it does not replace professional educational guidance.

2. Child-Centred Responsibility

We recognise that our primary audience includes children.

We therefore commit to:

  • Age-appropriate themes

  • Responsible humour

  • Positive moral framing

  • Avoidance of harmful stereotypes

  • Respect for diversity and inclusion

3. Editorial Oversight

All works published by Killara Press Pty Ltd are:

  • Conceived and curated under the direction of the publisher

  • Subject to human editorial review

  • Evaluated for clarity, tone, and educational suitability

4. Intellectual Property Respect

We respect the intellectual property rights of others and expect the same in return.

All original works are created under lawful and ethical conditions.

5. Continuous Improvement

We remain committed to improving:

  • Educational alignment

  • Accessibility

  • Inclusivity

  • Transparency

For partnership enquiries:
licensing@hazardousharold.com

How Hazardous Harold Is Created - With Reluctant Readers in Mind

Stories don’t just appear — they’re built carefully and intentionally.

Hazardous Harold™ is created with one particular reader in mind:

The child who doesn’t think they like reading.

1️⃣ It Starts with a Real Struggle

Every book begins with a real emotional challenge children face:

  • Fear of embarrassment

  • Avoiding responsibility

  • Friendship conflict

  • Technology overwhelm

  • Performance anxiety

  • Feeling “not good enough”

Reluctant readers don’t disengage from stories —
they disengage from stories that don’t feel relevant.

We start with lived experience.

Then we ask:
What would Harold do — and how would he get it wrong before getting it right?

2️⃣ Built for Momentum (Not Fatigue)

Many reluctant readers struggle with:

  • Long blocks of dense text

  • Slow pacing

  • Overly descriptive openings

  • Heavy exposition

Hazardous Harold stories are structured with:

  • Strong openings

  • Short-to-medium paragraphs

  • Clear scene progression

  • Frequent emotional beats

  • Natural humour breaks

The goal is forward motion.

If the reader keeps turning pages, we’ve succeeded.

3️⃣ Humour as a Literacy Bridge

Humour lowers resistance.

When a child laughs, they relax.
When they relax, they read more.
When they read more, confidence grows.

Harold’s chaos isn’t accidental — it’s intentional scaffolding.

Reluctant readers often need:

  • Permission to fail

  • Permission to be imperfect

  • Permission to try again

Harold models that journey.

4️⃣ Emotional Accessibility

We carefully manage:

  • Vocabulary load

  • Sentence rhythm

  • Dialogue balance

  • Emotional clarity

The aim is not to oversimplify —
but to reduce cognitive overload.

Reluctant readers need achievable wins.

Each chapter is designed to feel conquerable.

5️⃣ Structured Character Growth

Children return when characters evolve.

Across the series:

  • Harold matures

  • Relationships deepen

  • Stakes increase gradually

  • Themes become more layered

This mirrors real development — and rewards commitment.

6️⃣ Supported for Parents & Educators

Children return when characters evolve.

Across the series:

  • Harold matures

  • Relationships deepen

  • Stakes increase gradually

  • Themes become more layered

This mirrors real development — and rewards commitment.

For reluctant readers especially, support matters.

Where appropriate, we provide:

  • Conversation guides

  • Reflection prompts

  • Educator worksheets

  • Thematic discussion starters

The goal is not forced analysis —
but guided engagement.

7️⃣ Modern Tools, Human Direction

We use modern creative tools to enhance workflow and production efficiency.

However:

Every story is conceived, structured, edited, and approved under human direction.

Reluctant reader engagement is not automated — it is intentionally crafted.

Why This Matters

Many children don’t dislike reading.

They dislike frustration.

Hazardous Harold™ is built to:

  • Reduce resistance

  • Build confidence

  • Sustain engagement

  • Make reading feel possible

Because once a reluctant reader finishes one book…

They’re no longer a reluctant reader.