INDIVIDUAL BOOK GUIDES

The following sections provide complete guides for all 20 books. Each book includes a story summary, lesson, activities, discussion questions, and growth indicators to help you support your child's reading journey.

how to Navigate the Book Guides

·       Each book section includes: Quick Summary, Reading Level, Before Reading Activities, Discussion Questions (tiered by complexity), 5 Real-Life Activities, and Growth Indicators

·       Discussion questions are organized in three levels: 'Understanding the Story' (basic comprehension), 'Connecting to Your Child' (personal connections), and 'Going Deeper' (higher-order thinking)

·       Activities vary in length from 10-minute quick activities to 30+ minute projects—pick what fits your family's schedule and preferences

·       Growth indicators help you notice real changes in your child's behavior, thinking, and character development

·       Reference 'Real-Life Teaching Moments' throughout the guide for how to use Harold's lessons when similar situations come up with your child

ARC 1: LEARNING THE BASICS

Ages 9-10 | Books 1-5

BOOK 1: HAROLD'S SCIENCE FAIR FIASCO

The Lesson: Planning & Responsibility

QUICK SUMMARY

Harold procrastinates on his science fair project until the night before. When he mixes the wrong ingredients for his volcano, disaster strikes—pink foam erupts everywhere! Through the chaos and cleanup, Harold learns that planning ahead prevents disasters and that taking responsibility means owning your mistakes.

Reading Level: Ages 7-10

Time to Complete: 2-3 hours over several days

Best For: Read-aloud or independent reading

BEFORE YOU START READING

Build Excitement:

·       "What's your worst procrastination story?"

·       "What happens when we wait until the last minute?"

·       "Have you ever had a project go totally wrong?"

·       "What would you do differently if you had more time?"

Quick Connection Activity:

·       Show pictures of real volcanoes

·       Do a simple volcano experiment together (baking soda + vinegar) BEFORE reading

·       Talk about what causes eruptions

·       This makes the story more meaningful!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Understanding the Story (Ages 7-10):

·       "Why does Harold wait so long to start his science fair project?"

·       "What ingredients does Harold use that cause the disaster?"

·       "How does Harold feel when the volcano erupts?"

·       "What does Harold learn by the end?"

Connecting to Your Child (Ages 9-11):

·       "Have you ever procrastinated like Harold?"

·       "What happened because you waited?"

·       "Is it the procrastinating or the wrong ingredients that causes Harold's main problem?"

·       "What would have happened if Harold had started on time?"

Going Deeper (Ages 10-12):

·       "Why is planning important?"

·       "What's the difference between rushing and making mistakes?"

·       "How does Harold show responsibility at the end?"

·       "Will Harold procrastinate on his next project? Why or why not?"

ACTIVITIES TO DO TOGETHER

Activity 1:

Planning a Real Project (25 minutes)

Help your child with an actual upcoming project or task:
• Work backward from the deadline
• Write down all the steps needed
• Estimate time for each step
• Create a timeline together
• Mark when you'll work on it
• Add buffer time for mistakes
Talk about: "How does having a plan change things?"

Activity 2:

Science Fair Preparation (30 minutes)

Do it the RIGHT way:
• Choose a science experiment
• Gather materials together
• Read all instructions first
• Follow the plan step-by-step
• Document what happens
Discuss: "Why does following a plan work better?"

Activity 3:

Timeline Creation Activity (20 minutes)

For something your child is doing:
• Mark the due date on calendar
• Count back the days
• Decide when each step happens
• Identify your "working" days
• Put it on the calendar visibly

Activity 4:

Mistake-Taking Responsibility (15 minutes)

Talk about mistakes:
• Share a time you made a mistake
• What happened?
• How did you fix it?
• What did you learn?
Help your child see responsibility as problem-solving

Activity 5:

Procrastination Prevention (20 minutes)

Create strategies together:
• What makes you procrastinate?
• What helps you start?
• What's a good time to work?
• What tools help (timer, checklist, quiet space)?
• Try one strategy this week

WATCHING FOR GROWTH

Over the next week or two, you might notice your child:

·       Planning ahead more

·       Asking for help when overwhelmed

·       Admitting mistakes more quickly

·       Breaking big tasks into steps

·       Starting tasks earlier

·       Feeling less stressed about deadlines

Remember: This is Book 1. Harold doesn't become perfect. Neither will your child. Look for small shifts, not total transformation.

REAL-LIFE TEACHING MOMENTS

When your child procrastinates:

·       "Remember Harold's volcano?"

·       Help them plan together

·       "What would happen if you started today?"

When they make a mistake:

·       "Harold made a big mistake too."

·       "What can we do about it?"

·       "Let's make a plan to fix it."

When they blame external factors:

·       "Harold could have blamed the recipe."

·       "But he owned what he could control."

·       "What can YOU control here?"

READ-ALOUD TIPS

If reading together:

·       Use funny voices for characters

·       Make explosion sounds during the disaster!

·       Ask "What's going to happen?" predictions

·       Pause to let their reactions happen

·       Let them turn pages

·       Make it fun, not a lesson

Best times for read-aloud:

·       Bedtime (calming)

·       Car rides

·       Weekend mornings

·       After school with snacks

Blue road sign with a white upward arrow indicating forward or straight ahead.

BOOK 2: HAROLD'S CATASTROPHIC PET DAY

The Lesson: Honesty & Being Yourself

QUICK SUMMARY

Harold "borrows" his neighbour's pet without asking to impress everyone at Pet Day. When discovered, Harold faces consequences. But through honest conversation and genuine apology, he learns that telling the truth—even when scary—is always best, and that being yourself matters more than impressing others.

Reading Level: Ages 7-10

Time to Complete: 2-3 hours

Best For: Read-aloud or independent

BEFORE YOU START READING

Build Excitement:

·       "Have you ever 'borrowed' something without asking?"

·       "What's hard about telling the truth?"

·       "Why do we sometimes hide things?"

·       "What happens to friendships when we're not honest?"

Quick Connection Activity:

·       Talk about pets in your family

·       Discuss what pets need

·       Ask: "What responsibility comes with pets?"

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Understanding the Story:

·       "Why does Harold take the pet without asking?"

·       "How does Harold feel when he's caught?"

·       "Why is it hard for Harold to tell the truth?"

·       "What does Harold learn about honesty?"

Connecting to Your Child:

·       "Have you ever hidden something you did?"

·       "What made you finally tell the truth?"

·       "Is honesty always easy? When is it hardest?"

·       "Who do you trust to be honest with? Why?"

Going Deeper:

·       "What would have happened if Harold never told the truth?"

·       "Why does honesty feel scary sometimes?"

·       "What does it mean to be yourself?"

·       "Is there ever a time when lying is okay?"

ACTIVITIES TO DO TOGETHER

Activity 1: Honesty Scenarios (20 minutes)

Talk through "What would you do?" situations:
• You break something and no one saw
• Your friend asks you to lie for them
• You messed up and are scared to admit it
• Someone asks you something embarrassing
For each: "What's the honest choice? Why is it hard?"

Activity 2: Trust-Building Conversation (15 minutes)

Create safety for honesty:
• Tell your child something vulnerable you did
• Listen without judgment when they share
• "You can always tell me the truth"
• Show them honesty leads to connection, not punishment

Activity 3: Pet Responsibility Research (20 minutes)

Understand the neighbor's perspective:
• What does a pet need to be safe?
• What's responsible pet care?
• Why would the neighbor be upset?
• What does respect look like?

Activity 4: Apology Practice (15 minutes)

Role-play what a real apology includes:
• What I did wrong
• Why it was wrong
• How it affected you
• How I'll make it right
• Genuine "I'm sorry"

Activity 5: Being Yourself Conversation (20 minutes)

Ask your child:
• "What makes you YOU?"
• "What do you like that maybe others don't?"
• "When do you feel most like yourself?"
• "Is there anything you hide about yourself?"
• "Would you want to be someone else? Why?"

WATCHING FOR GROWTH

·       Admitting mistakes more readily

·       Stopping small lies faster

·       Being more authentic

·       Feeling safer to be themselves

·       Showing courage in honesty

·       Building stronger friendships

REAL-LIFE TEACHING MOMENTS

When they're tempted to lie:

·       "Remember what Harold learned about truth?"

·       "I'd rather have you honest than perfect."

·       "The truth comes out anyway. Better to say it."

When they hide something:

·       "I'm not angry about what happened."

·       "I'm concerned about the hiding."

·       "Let's talk about the truth."

BOOK 3: HAROLD'S BIRTHDAY BASH BLUNDER

The Lesson: Patience & Impulse Control

QUICK SUMMARY

Harold is so excited about his birthday that he rushes everything—running instead of walking, jumping for the cake, being impulsive with every moment. His excitement leads to chaos: spilled food, flying cake, frustrated guests. Through it all, Harold learns that patience—thinking before acting—helps us actually ENJOY the moments we're excited about.

Reading Level: Ages 7-10

Time to Complete: 2-3 hours

Best For: Read-aloud or independent

BEFORE YOU START READING

Build Excitement:

·       "Tell me about your most exciting moment recently."

·       "What do you do when you're really excited?"

·       "What happens when we rush?"

·       "Have you ever been so excited you made a mistake?"

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Understanding the Story:

·       "Why does everything go wrong at Harold's party?"

·       "Is it excitement or carelessness?"

·       "What would have happened if Harold slowed down?"

·       "What's Harold's best moment at the party?"

Connecting to Your Child:

·       "When do YOU get so excited you rush?"

·       "What happens when you do?"

·       "How could you enjoy exciting things more?"

·       "What helps you slow down?"

Going Deeper:

·       "What's patience, really?"

·       "Why is slowing down hard?"

·       "How do you slow yourself down when you're excited?"

·       "Can you be excited AND careful?"

ACTIVITIES TO DO TOGETHER

Activity 1: Patience Practice Through Baking (30 minutes)

Bake cookies or cake together:
• Measure carefully (not rushing)
• Wait for oven to preheat
• Cool before eating
• Notice how rushing ruins it
Talk: "How is this like Harold's party?"

Activity 2: Excitement Management (15 minutes)

Practice slowing down:
• Take 3 deep breaths
• Count to 10 before acting
• Name the feeling ("I'm so excited!")
• Then move carefully
Practice these techniques.

Activity 3: Impulsive vs. Thoughtful (20 minutes)

Act out two versions of a moment:
• Version 1: Harold rushes and jumps for cake
• Version 2: Harold waits and carries cake carefully
Compare the outcomes. Talk about the difference.

Activity 4: Slowing Down Challenge (15 minutes)

Do something in slow motion:
• Walk carefully
• Pick something up slowly
• Eat a snack slowly, noticing flavors
• Move intentionally
Notice: "How is this different from rushing?"

Activity 5: Excitement Reflection (20 minutes)

Ask your child:
• "What are you excited about?"
• "How can you enjoy it more?"
• "What could ruin it if you rush?"
• "How will you slow down?"

WATCHING FOR GROWTH

·       Pausing before rushing into things

·       Thinking about consequences

·       Slowing down when excited

·       Enjoying moments more fully

·       Preventing their own "cake disasters"

REAL-LIFE TEACHING MOMENTS

When they rush:

·       "What would Harold do?"

·       "Let's slow down."

·       "Take a breath and think."

When they're overstimulated:

·       "Harold learned that slowing down helps."

·       "Let's pause and breathe."

·       "You can enjoy this better if you slow down."

BOOK 4: HAROLD'S SPORTS DAY SLIP-UP

The Lesson: Perseverance & Resilience

QUICK SUMMARY

Harold trains hard for Sports Day, visualizing his victory. When he falls during the race—spectacularly and publicly—everything changes. He could give up. Instead, he gets back up and finishes the race. Harold learns that perseverance—getting back up after falling—matters infinitely more than winning.

Reading Level: Ages 7-10

Time to Complete: 2-3 hours

Best For: Read-aloud or independent

BEFORE YOU START READING

·       "Tell me about a time you fell down—physically or with your feelings."

·       "What made you get back up?"

·       "Is winning important? What's MORE important?"

·       "Do you ever want to give up on something?"

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Understanding the Story:

·       "What is Harold training for?"

·       "Why does Harold fall?"

·       "What could Harold do? (Give up or Keep going)"

·       "What does he choose?"

·       "What matters more—winning or trying?"

Connecting to Your Child:

·       "When have YOU wanted to give up?"

·       "What made you keep going?"

·       "Is it harder to keep trying or to give up?"

·       "What do you admire about Harold?"

Going Deeper:

·       "What is perseverance?"

·       "Why does effort matter more than results?"

·       "What do you miss if you give up?"

·       "How do you know when to quit vs. keep going?"

ACTIVITIES TO DO TOGETHER

Activity 1: Try-Again Challenge (30 minutes)

Pick something your child finds hard:
• New skill
• Tough homework
• Athletic move
• Puzzle
Try it. Fail. Try again. Keep going.
Document: Attempt 1, 2, 3, 4+ showing progress.

Activity 2: Failure Stories (20 minutes)

Share your own stories:
• Tell about a time you failed
• What did you learn?
• How did you try again?
• What happened in the end?
Model perseverance.

Activity 3: Fall and Get Back Up Role-Play (15 minutes)

Act out the scene:
• Harold falls during the race
• Show the moment of choice
• Harold gets back up and keeps going
• Talk about what made him keep going

Activity 4: Encouragement Practice (15 minutes)

When someone fails:
• What would Harold say?
• What encouragement helps?
• How do we inspire perseverance?
• Practice encouraging each other

Activity 5: Personal Goal Perseverance (20 minutes)

Ask your child:
• "What goal seems hard?"
• "What if you fail the first time?"
• "Will you try again?"
• "What will keep you going?"

WATCHING FOR GROWTH

·       Trying more times before giving up

·       Seeing failures as learning

·       Handling setbacks better

·       Feeling more capable

·       Encouraging others who are struggling

REAL-LIFE TEACHING MOMENTS

When they want to give up:

·       "Remember what Harold did?"

·       "Try one more time."

·       "I'll help you keep going."

When they fail at something:

·       "This is how learning works."

·       "Harold failed too."

·       "Let's try a different way."

BOOK 5: HAROLD'S HOSPITAL HULLABALOO

The Lesson: Mindfulness & Awareness

QUICK SUMMARY

Harold's overstuffed backpack causes a hospital bed to escape. As he chases it through the city streets, he's not aware of his surroundings or impact. By the end, Harold learns to be mindful—to pay attention to what's around him and how his actions affect others. Awareness is a superpower.

Reading Level: Ages 7-10

Time to Complete: 2-3 hours

Best For: Read-aloud or independent

BEFORE YOU START READING

Build Excitement:

·       "What do you notice about your surroundings right now?"

·       "When are you really paying attention?"

·       "What happens when we're not aware?"

·       "Tell me about a time you didn't notice something important."

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Understanding the Story:

·       "Why does the hospital bed get away?"

·       "Why doesn't Harold notice the problem?"

·       "What does Harold learn about awareness?"

·       "How does mindfulness help?"

Connecting to Your Child:

·       "When do you stop paying attention?"

·       "What happens?"

·       "How could Harold have noticed sooner?"

·       "What difference would awareness have made?"

Going Deeper:

·       "What is mindfulness?"

·       "Why does paying attention matter?"

·       "How do we notice impact on others?"

·       "What happens when we're not mindful?"

ACTIVITIES TO DO TOGETHER

Activity 1: Mindfulness Practice (10 minutes)

Sit quietly together:
• Notice 5 things you SEE
• Notice 4 things you HEAR
• Notice 3 things you FEEL (touch)
• Notice 2 things you SMELL
• Notice 1 thing you TASTE
Do this daily. Build mindfulness.

Activity 2: Awareness Walk (20 minutes)

Walk around together:
• Notice details
• Point out what you see
• Observe interactions
• Notice what you usually miss
Talk: "What did you see that you'd normally miss?"

Activity 3: Impact Awareness (20 minutes)

Trace how one action causes ripples:
• Harold's backpack causes hospital bed escape
• Hospital bed escapes → affects people
• What's the chain reaction?
Draw it out. Discuss impact.

Activity 4: Gratitude Awareness (15 minutes)

Notice things to be grateful for:
• People helping you
• Things working right
• Others' efforts
• Small good moments
Create gratitude list together.

Activity 5: Present Moment Practice (10 minutes)

During a regular activity (eating, playing):
• Be completely present
• Notice colors, textures, sounds
• No distractions
Talk: "How is this different from rushing?"

WATCHING FOR GROWTH

·       Noticing details more

·       Considering how their actions affect others

·       Being more careful with belongings

·       Showing more respect for others

·       Practicing staying present

·       Showing more mindfulness

REAL-LIFE TEACHING MOMENTS

When they're not paying attention:

·       "Remember the hospital bed?"

·       "What are you missing?"

·       "Let's slow down and notice."

When they don't realize impact:

·       "See how your actions affect people?"

·       "Harold learned to notice."

·       "What's happening as a result of what you did?"

ARC 1 COMPLETION CELEBRATION

You've completed 5 books!

Your child now understands:

·       ✓ Responsibility: Own your actions

·       ✓ Honesty: Truth is best

·       ✓ Patience: Think before acting

·       ✓ Perseverance: Keep trying

·       ✓ Mindfulness: Pay attention

Look for these real changes:

·       Fewer procrastination battles

·       More honest about mistakes

·       Better impulse control

·       Trying again after failures

·       More aware of impact

Great work! You're building a foundation for your child's growth. These five books establish the basic life skills that will support everything they learn in Arcs 2, 3, and 4. Celebrate this milestone!