Help Your Child Navigate Growing Up—Without the Lectures.
The "Trojan Horse" method to teaching responsibility to kids who would rather be playing video games.
The Problem: "The Lecture Glaze"
You know the look. You try to talk to your child about responsibility. You start a sentence about honesty. And immediately, the eyes glaze over. The wall goes up. “I know. I know.”
They don’t want a lecture. They want a story.
The Solution: Hazardous Harold
Harold Mitchell is not a role model. (Well, not at first).
He blows up the school gym.
He borrows a neighbour's bird without asking.
He accidentally live-streams a runaway hospital bed.
He is messy, impulsive, and chaotic. And that is why your child will listen to him.
At Killara Press, we believe a child doesn’t hate learning—they just hate being lectured. We use the "Hi-Lo" Method (High Interest, Low Readability), pairing high-engagement humour with relatable "disasters" to hook even the most reluctant readers.
They think they are just reading a funny story. You know they are actually learning that "asking for help is a form of strength." We call it the Stealth Curriculum.
Find the Book That Solves Your Problem
Don't know where to start?
Find the behaviour you are seeing at home, and we’ll show you the story that fixes it.
If you are saying...
"He leaves everything to the last minute.
"He tells little lies to stay out of trouble ."
"He wants everything NOW."
"He gives up when things get hard."
"He tries to do dangerous things alone."
He needs to learn...
Responsibility
Honesty
Patience
Perseverance
Courage
Get this Book:"
Book 1: Science Fair Fiasco
Harold waits until the night before. Chaos ensues. He learns to plan.
Book 2: Catastrophic Pet Day
One small lie turns into a school-wide bird chase. He learns integrity.
Book 3: Birthday Bash Blunder
He rushes a surprise and ruins the cake. He learns self-control.
Book 4: Sports Day Slip-Up
He falls flat on his face. He finishes the race anyway. He learns grit.
Book 6: Camping Catastrophe
He gets lost because he won't ask for help. He learns true bravery.
Your "Reluctant Reader" Rescue Kit
When you buy the books, you don't just get a story.
Every book in the 29-volume series comes with a free Parent Guide (available in our digital vault).
These aren't boring comprehension questions.
They are "Cheat Sheets" for connection:
🚗 The "Car Ride" Question: One simple question to ask on the way to school that opens up a real conversation.
🗣️ The Vocabulary of Growth: Simple phrases (like "Failure is just feedback") that lower tension at home.
🍽️ Dinner Table Talk: Non-preachy conversation starters that link Harold’s mishaps to your family’s values.
📦 Get the "Foundation Years" Toolkit
The best place to start is Arc 1 (Ages 8–10). Follow Harold through his first six disasters and watch your child's accountability grow.
The Arc 1 Box Set Includes:
✅ 6 Paperbacks (The full Arc 1 story, printed fresh)
✅ Instant Access to the Parent "Cheat Sheets"
✅ The "Hazardous" Milestone Printables
Price: $XX.XX (Save 20% compared to buying individually)
[ BUY THE ARC 1 BUNDLE ] (Links to BookVault checkout)
💬 What Parents Are Saying
"I used to nag my son about packing his bag. After Book 1, I just asked: 'Are we doing a Harold this morning?' He laughed and went to check his list. It changed the whole tone of our house." — David, Father of two
"Finally, a character who isn't perfect. Harold makes the same mistakes my son makes, which makes the lessons actually stick." — Sarah J., Mum of two boys
⭕ Not ready to buy the books yet?
Test drive the "Harold Effect" for free. Join Harold’s Circle of Friends and we will instantly send you the Parent Rescue Kit & Complete Curriculum Map.
Get the tools to turn reading into momentum—without nagging, bribing, or battles.
[ Form Field: Enter Email Address ] [ SEND ME THE FREE RESCUE KIT ](Links to ConvertKit)
Not sure if he'll read it?
Test drive the "Harold Effect" for free.
Download the Arc 1 Parent Guide. It includes:
The "Impulse Control Checklist"
The first 3 chapters of Book 1: Science Fair Fiasco
A script for talking to your son about lying (that actually works).
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Why Teachers Love Harold
"I used to lecture my class about responsibility. Now I just read them 'The Science Fair Fiasco.' They get it immediately." — Mrs. Patterson, Year 4 Teacher
"Finally, a character who isn't perfect. Harold makes the same mistakes my son makes, which makes the lessons actually stick." — Sarah J., Mum of two boys
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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 -
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.
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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. -
You can purchase individual books or series bundles—whatever works for your family.
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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.
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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.
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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.
