series arc 1: the foundation years
ARC 1: FOUNDATION YEARS
Books 1 - 6 | Ages 8 - 9
Where Harold learns the basics: responsibility, honesty, patience, perseverance, and mindfulness. These are the foundational life skills every kid needs.
BOOK 1: THE VOLCANO DISASTER
Theme: Responsibility & Planning Ahead
BOOK 1: HAROLD’S SCIENCE FAIR FIASCO
Theme: Responsibility & Planning Ahead
The Hook: Harold wants to impress the judges with his "MEGA 3000" volcano. But when he swaps baking soda for baking powder (and ignores the instructions), the result isn't a science experiment—it's a pink, spinning, gym-destroying disaster that forces Harold to own his mess.
The Lesson: Accountability. Failure doesn’t define you—how you respond to it does.
Why kids love it: A relatable "explosion" and the chaos of a school event gone wrong.
The Educator’s Edge: Aligned to ACARA (Self-Management: AC9HP4P04) and CCSS (Character Analysis: RL.3.3).
BOOK 2: THE PARAKEET PROBLEM
Theme: Honesty & Integrity
BOOK 2: HAROLD’S CATASTROPHIC PET DAY
Theme: Honesty & Being Yourself
The Hook: Desperate to fit in on Pet Day, Harold "borrows" his neighbor's parakeet, Pickles, without asking. But when Pickles escapes during show-and-tell, Harold’s tiny lie turns into a high-speed chase through the school hallways—and a web of deception he can't escape.
The Lesson: Integrity. Lying creates more problems than it solves, and honesty—though scary—brings relief.
Why kids love it: A fast, loud bird on the loose and the panic of a lie spiraling out of control.
The Educator’s Edge: Aligned to ACARA (Ethical Understanding: ACEPSE003) and CCSS (Central Message: RL.3.2).
BOOK 3: THE BIRTHDAY BASH BLUNDER
Theme: Patience & Self-Control
BOOK 3: HAROLD’S BIRTHDAY BASH BLUNDER
Theme: Patience & Impulse Control
The Hook: Harold promises to be "good" at his best friend’s party. But when his stomach grumbles during the "Happy Birthday" song, he tries to sneak a single sausage roll. One tripped dog leash later, the triple-decker chocolate volcano cake is flying through the air—straight onto the birthday boy’s little brother.
The Lesson: Self-Regulation. Good things come to those who wait, and shortcuts often lead to messy cleanup.
Why kids love it: A flying cake, a "food fight" chain reaction, and a dog named Spike who thinks frosting is a food group.
The Educator’s Edge: Aligned to ACARA (Self-Management: AC9HP4P04) and CCSS (Cause & Effect: RL.3.3).
BOOK 4: THE SPORTS DAY SLIP
Theme: Perseverance & Not Giving Up
BOOK 4: HAROLD’S SPORTS DAY SLIP-UP
Theme: Perseverance & Resilience
The Hook: Harold is determined to have a disaster-free Sports Day. But when his dog, Spike, escapes the backyard and decides that the egg-and-spoon race is an "all-you-can-eat buffet," Harold has to choose: give up in embarrassment or finish the race (even if he literally trips across the finish line).
The Lesson: Grit. Getting back up matters more than never falling down.
Why kids love it: The chaos of a dog chasing a three-legged race and the "accidental victory" of winning by falling.
The Educator’s Edge: Aligned to ACARA (Personal Strengths: AC9HP4P03) and CCSS (Perseverance: RL.3.3).
BOOK 5: THE HOSPITAL CHASE
Theme: Mindfulness & Being Present
BOOK 5: HAROLD’S HOSPITAL HULLABALOO
Theme: Mindfulness & Situational Awareness
The Hook: Harold visits his aunt at Sydney General with a backpack the size of a small car. In his desperate search for a comic book, he swings the bag and accidentally smacks the "Emergency Release" button. The result? A high-speed chase down a steep city hill to catch Mr. Linton’s runaway bed before it hits a busy intersection.
The Lesson: Self-Awareness. Tunnel vision causes accidents; true mindfulness means knowing where you end and the rest of the world begins.
Why kids love it: The slapstick comedy of a hospital bed rolling past a food truck and the "accidental villain" moment with the red button.
The Educator’s Edge: Aligned to ACARA (Social Awareness: AC9HP4P03) and CCSS (Cause & Effect: RL.3.3).
BOOK 6: Teamwork & Cooperation
Working together is better than doing it alone
BOOK 6: HAROLD’S CAMPING CATASTROPHE
Theme: Vulnerability & Asking for Help
The Hook: Harold is determined to prove he’s an "Independent Camper" at Camp Wattlebird. He refuses help with his tent (which ends up sagging), ignores advice on fire safety, and finally splits from his team during the orienteering challenge to "prove himself." The result? He ends up alone, lost in the Blue Mountains at night, facing the hardest lesson of all.
The Lesson: Courage. True strength isn't doing everything alone; it's being brave enough to ask for help when you're lost.
Why kids love it: The spooky "lost in the woods" tension and the relief of the ultimate rescue by his friends.
The Educator’s Edge: Aligned to ACARA (Social Management: AC9HP4P04) and CCSS (Group Collaboration: SL.5.1).
WANT MORE WITH EACH BOOK?
Join Harold's Circle of Friends for:
Exclusive monthly guides for deeper discussions
Author letters sharing the "why" behind each book
Activity ideas and reflection prompts
A community of readers, parents, and educators
Early access to new books
