Healthy Harold celebrates two years of Big Books in ECEC services for Book Week

Life Ed, along with iconic mascot Healthy Harold, is celebrating two years of using its specially created Big Books during Book Week (held 17-23 August). 

Released in 2022, the Big Books Harold’s Healthy Day, Harold’s Big Feelings, and Super Safe Harold were developed to complement Life Ed’s three early years learning modules, which are all aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework.

The big titles are unique in that they are the first Life Ed resources created where Healthy Harold is seen as a young child at preschool – an important revelation to encourage engagement with the young children these books are designed for.

The Big Books empower children in early years learning centres and pre- schools across the country, incorporating the theme of respectful relationships throughout this literature, with important concepts like consent introduced in an age-appropriate way.

“At Life Ed, we focus on early education because research tells us that educating children before they are exposed to a particular issue gives them the best chance of making informed decisions in the future,” Lisa Woodward, Education Program Development Manager at Life Ed Australia shared.

“We lay the foundations of many necessary life lessons, like respectful relationships, early through age- appropriate activities like practicing and refining how to ask for permission when sharing possessions or personal space, exploring feelings and reactions to scenarios that relate to this, and learning how to respect people’s right to say no,” she continued.

The Big Books were authored by Katrina McKelvey, children’s author and former primary school teacher, and illustrated by Kirrili Lonergan, a picture book illustrator and art therapist, with the pair gratified to see how they have been received by the education community. 

“Healthy Harold has been a part of my life in so many ways. I first met him when I was a student in the 1980s, and I also attended sessions with students when I was teaching at primary schools,” Ms McKelvey said. 

“It was an exciting project to have been a part of. Harold has stood the test of time. He’s a fun and valuable teaching tool for students of all ages in so many Australian educational settings.”

For Ms Lonergan, illustrating the series was an enjoyable and rewarding experience, one which allowed her to work with an inspiring and passionate group of people who are committed to high quality outcomes for children. 

Her dedication was welcomed by the Life Ed team, who said she was able to bring Harold’s stories to life with her charming illustrations, and bring life to the words of Ms McKelvey. 

“The result is magic and so fitting, with this year’s Book Week theme being ‘Reading is magic,’” Ms Woodward said.