Kilkothekoala

Kilkothekoala I’m Rikki-Lee Calnan, a mum from the Northern Rivers. Inspired by my journey with Autism parenting. And with that, Kilko the Koala was born.

I created Kilko the Koala, fun engaging books to support young children understand big feelings & provide tools on how to self regulate & build resilience. Hey, I’m Rikki-Lee Calnan, a wife, carer, sister, daughter, friend and Mum. I live in the Northern Rivers of NSW Australia with my husband and two daughters. The name Kilko came to me in a dream — strange as it sounds, it’s true. It was so prof

ound that the word kept repeating in my mind until I finally sat up in bed and wrote it down to make sure I wouldn’t forget. My journey began back in 2010 when my eldest was diagnosed with Autism. It was heartbreaking at the time, but also a relief to finally have a diagnosis to work with. No one likes labels, but knowing what kind of support was needed made a real difference, and it was clear how important it was to start early. That’s when everything changed for my husband and I, and the long, hard work began. One of the biggest challenges in those early years was helping my child cope with her big feelings in order to self regulate. I remember feeling stressed, anxious, and desperate during meltdowns, unsure of how to best support my daughter, my husband, or even myself. Reflecting on those early years, I truly wish something like Kilko the Koala had been available. That’s why I decided to write and illustrate these books—to give back and support families like mine during those new and challenging times. The best approach is to start at the beginning: the younger years, when we lay the foundation that matters most. It’s a critical time when parents need all the help we can get. One thing I’ve learned on my journey is to never underestimate your child. They can absorb and learn so much during this time, and early intervention can bring lasting benefits. By fostering resilience, self-esteem, well-being, and confidence early on, you also help them develop the ability to express their big feelings. These books were a labour of love, and despite many health challenges putting these books into the world was something I was deeply committed to and so passionate about. And so, here they are—Kilko the Koala: How to Cope with Big Feelings. My hope is that these books will support children and families for years to come, helping young children develop a stronger sense of self, improve personal relationships, and ultimately lead to better mental health. If I can help just one person, one family, that would be an incredible gift.

17/12/2025

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year I’m so grateful for your support this year 🙏 ❤️

12/11/2025

So excited to have my books available from the book warehouse in Ballina! So many talented authors in our local area.

So excited to have my books for sale at my local book store The Book Warehouse Ballina thanks Amy for your support and d...
12/11/2025

So excited to have my books for sale at my local book store The Book Warehouse Ballina thanks Amy for your support and doing an amazing job with the display!

29/07/2025
23/04/2025

Check out Kilko the Koala's "How to cope with big feelings" - ANGRY.
Simple, colourful, easy to read and understand. Let Kilko guide your child to self emotional regulation today.
Suits young children from 3+, parents, carers, grand parents, therapists, and teachers. Special needs, Autism, and neurotypical children as well.

Get your very own Kilko the Koala teddy for free when you purchase the four book bundle @ online shop kilkothekoala.com
27/02/2025

Get your very own Kilko the Koala teddy for free when you purchase the four book bundle @ online shop kilkothekoala.com

Kilko the Koala book bundle pack unwrapped ready to read 🩷
25/02/2025

Kilko the Koala book bundle pack unwrapped ready to read 🩷

Thank you Seabirds @ St Anne’s Day Care Centre Skennars Head for inviting me to read Kilko the Koala today❤️I felt very ...
19/02/2025

Thank you Seabirds @ St Anne’s Day Care Centre Skennars Head for inviting me to read Kilko the Koala today❤️I felt very honoured. You were all amazing listeners and I enjoyed your engaging contributions. I felt most welcomed. Thank you 🙏

Gorgeous twins Locky and Harry Hush enjoying Kilko the Koala ❤️ .hush
15/02/2025

Gorgeous twins Locky and Harry Hush enjoying Kilko the Koala ❤️ .hush

So excited and so proud of these books! Thank you everyone for your love and support ❤️🌸 Especially those of you who hav...
11/02/2025

So excited and so proud of these books! Thank you everyone for your love and support ❤️🌸 Especially those of you who have already purchased a set! .calnan .callahannn

Fun Kilko the Koala cards going out with book purchases from online shop, kilkothekoala.com Thanks to my hubby Mick Caln...
11/02/2025

Fun Kilko the Koala cards going out with book purchases from online shop, kilkothekoala.com Thanks to my hubby Mick Calnan for printing and finishing them for me!

10/02/2025

🐨💙 Does your child struggle with anxiety or big worries? Meet Kilko the Koala, a fuzzy blue friend here to help! In Worried, Kilko explains how anxiety feels & shares simple strategies to manage big emotions with confidence. 📖✨ Let’s help kids thrive!

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Ballina, NSW

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