Stop Lecturing. Start Reading.

You’re not alone — many children go through a phase where reading feels frustrating or overwhelming.
Hazardous Harold books are designed specifically for kids who don’t like reading. The stories are funny, fast-paced, and relatable, helping children re-engage with reading without pressure or lecturing. Many parents tell us these are the first books their child actually chooses to keep reading.

Yes. The entire series is written with reluctant readers in mind.
The language is accessible, chapters are manageable, and the humour keeps kids turning pages. Most importantly, the stories focus on real-life situations kids recognise — which helps them feel confident rather than “behind.”em description

The books are ideal for ages 8–15, particularly:

• 8–9-year-olds building confidence

• 9–11-year-olds who have lost interest in reading

• Older children who enjoy humour but prefer accessible text

Parents often find the books work well across ages, depending on reading confidence rather than school year alone.

Both — by design.
Each story explores everyday challenges like honesty, responsibility, patience, and learning from mistakes. The lessons are never preached. Instead, children see consequences play out naturally, which makes the learning feel real and memorable.

Yes. Many educators and parents use the books for:

• Shared reading

• Small group discussion

• Character education

• Social emotional learning (SEL)

Because the humor draws kids in, the deeper conversations often follow naturally.

This is one of the core reasons Hazardous Harold exists.
Harold makes mistakes, feels embarrassed, and gets things wrong — and that’s exactly what makes him relatable. The stories help children realise they’re not “bad readers” or “bad kids,” just human ones who are still learning.

Not at all — though many parents enjoy doing so.
The books are written so children can read independently, but they also work beautifully as shared reading. Some families read together, others talk about the story afterwards, and some simply enjoy seeing their child read willingly again.

Most families start with Book 1 and see how their child responds.
If your child is particularly hesitant, choosing a story that mirrors a familiar situation (school mishaps, friendships, celebrations) can help them connect quickly.

Yes. Parents can access:

• Optional discussion guides

• Reader activities

• Parent-focused insights on using stories to support growth

These resources are designed to support, not overwhelm — use as much or as little as works for your family.

You don’t need formal lessons or worksheets.
The best conversations usually start with simple questions like:

• “What would you have done?”

• “Did Harold remind you of anyone?”

• “Have you ever felt like that?”

The books are supported by optional parent discussion guides, but many families find that the stories naturally open up conversation on their own.

Both — by design.
Each story explores everyday challenges like honesty, responsibility, patience, and learning from mistakes. The lessons are never preached. Instead, children see consequences play out naturally, which makes the learning feel real and memorable.

No. Start with Book 1 and see where your child takes you. Some families binge the series; others savor one book per month. The beauty of the series is that each arc builds naturally on the previous one, so you can move at your own pace.

We're committed to a steady publication schedule. Check back for updates on new releases.

The books are ideal for ages 8–15, particularly:

• 8–9-year-olds building confidence

• 9–11-year-olds who have lost interest in reading

• Older children who enjoy humour but prefer accessible text

Parents often find the books work well across ages, depending on reading confidence rather than school year alone.

Ite Many families do! We have audiobook options coming soon, and we encourage faster readers to re-read books, write their own Harold stories, or explore the educator resources (which provide deeper engagement with each book).

Each book teaches a specific lesson at a specific stage of childhood development. They build on each other, but each stands alone as a complete story. Reading them in order creates the most powerful learning arc.

You can, but we recommend starting with Book 1. The series is designed so Harold and your child grow together. Starting at Book 1 creates a much richer experience.

The 29-book series covers ages 8-15 comprehensively across five thematic arcs. This is the complete journey we envisioned. Both Audio and Interactive books will be coming soo. Circle Members will be the first to know.

You can purchase individual books or series bundles—whatever works for your family.

Harold is designed for ages 8-13, though some advanced 7-year-olds and reluctant older readers enjoy the series. The five arcs align with developmental stages, so each age group finds something meaningful.

Harold's world is age-appropriate and joyful. The later books (Arc 5: Growing Up Years) touch on topics like mental health, digital citizenship, and puberty in age-appropriate ways. We provide guidance for parents on these themes.

Most books take 4-8 hours of reading time depending on your child's pace and whether you're reading aloud or independently.

Absolutely! If they're hooked, they're ready. Many families discover Harold becomes a household favorite. Getting the series at once ensures you have the next book ready when they finish.

Harold isn't a behavior-modification tool, but parents consistently report that the stories give them a shared language with their children for discussing choices, consequences, and growth. When combined with the discussion guides and activities, families find meaningful conversations happening naturally.