I created Harold while telling bedtime stories to my grandson Kayle. The may nights we spent together giggling and laughing as we invented Harold’s many escapades were both memorable and joyous. Kayle who is no in his twenties still laugh about some of the catastrophes we created. led me to think: Why not share these stories with kids around the world who many benefit from them?

I believe kids need heroes who aren't perfect. Growing up, I was a lot like Harold—tall, clumsy, always meaning well but somehow causing chaos. Like the night I stacked several small metal plates separated by tissue paper to create a capacitor and blew all the lights in the house. I wanted to write stories that showed kids it's okay to make mistakes, as long as you learn from them and make things right.

But as I wrote Harold's first five books, I realized something important: one arc wasn't enough. Character development doesn't happen overnight. Real growth happens over time, through repeated lessons, deepening friendships, bigger challenges, and gradually becoming who you're meant to be.

So, I kept writing. Through 20 books, I wanted to show what real growing up looks like. Not becoming perfect, but becoming more thoughtful, more resilient, more yourself. I wanted readers to follow Harold from age 9 through age 12, watch him apply lessons he learned in Book 1 to situations in Book 20, and see that growth is a lifelong adventure.

Harold's adventures are inspired by real-life moments of spectacular failure—mine, my kids', and stories from friends. The volcano? Based on a real science project disaster (though with less pink foam). The runaway hospital bed? Inspired by my dad's mischievous hospital stories. The friendship fallout in Book 14? Every person has experienced this. The middle school transition? I remember how terrifying and exciting that was.

But more than the disasters, I wanted to show genuine growth. Harold doesn't become perfect by Book 20—he becomes responsible, honest, patient, persevering, mindful, empathetic, courageous, resilient, confident, and wise. That's real growth, and that's what I hope young readers see in themselves across their own years of growing up."

Geoff's Background

Geoff Kopping now in his eighties, is an Australian author, who grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa. Geoff emigrated to Australia. He is passionate about creating stories that entertain while teaching important life lessons.

When he's not writing about Harold's disasters, Geoff plays, and tutors teenagers to play lawn bowls

The Misadventures of Hazardous Harold series is his first series combining his love of humor, character development, and values-based storytelling. The complete 20-book arc represents two years of writing and a massive amount having to learn to embrace change along the way

Geoff Kopping creates children's books that make kids laugh while they learn. A Sydney grandfather and storyteller, Geoff invented Harold during bedtime stories for his grandson Kayle. Those nightly tales of volcanic disasters, flying cakes, and runaway hospital beds became The Misadventures of Hazardous Harold—a series teaching kids that mistakes are just plot twists in your growth story.

Geoff believes children need permission to be imperfect. His books mix slapstick humor with genuine heart, showing readers how to think critically, act kindly, and bounce back stronger from every blunder. Because the goal isn't to never fall down—it's to always get back up.

When he's not writing Harold's latest catastrophe, Geoff visits schools across Australia, designs activity books and puzzles, and enjoys the chaos of his own growing family.

Together, Geoff and Harold make the perfect team: Harold creates the mess, and Geoff helps clean it up with heart.

Geoff's Mission

Why These Stories Matter

In a world that often demands perfection, kids need permission to be imperfect. They need models for:

• Taking responsibility for mistakes

• Apologizing genuinely

• Learning from failures

• Persevering through challenges

• Growing at their own pace

• Deepening friendships

• Facing fears with courage

• Solving problems creatively

• Treating others with empathy

• Leading authentically

• Balancing competing demands

• Finding purpose through service

• Embracing change

• Becoming themselves

That's what Harold offers across 20 books: hope that we can all keep improving, keep learning, keep getting back up when we fall down, and discover that growing up doesn't mean losing your joy.