How Cheer Chick Charlie came to life

When I first created Cheer Chick Charlie back in 2011, I had no idea she would cartwheel her way into thousands of homes, classrooms, libraries and hearts across Australia.

What began as a simple idea — a cheerful, determined girl who just wanted to be a cheerleader — grew into a decade‑long journey of confidence‑building stories, community support, and a whole lot of sparkle.

Charlie was born from a desire to give children something I felt was missing in the book world at the time: a character who wasn’t the best, but who showed up. A character who didn’t always know the answer, but who believed she could figure it out. And most importantly, a character who learned to believe in herself and who helped kids believe in themselves too.

In 2012, the ACT Government backed the Cheer Chick Charlie project through its Innovations Grants initiative. That support gave me the confidence to bring Charlie to life and publish the very first book in the series.

Charlie was ten years old, spirited, friendly, and full of heart. She wanted to be a cheerleader more than anything, not because she wanted to be the best, but because she loved the feeling of being part of something bigger than herself.

From the moment Books 1 and 2 launched, something magical happened. Kids connected with her. Parents thanked me for giving their children a character who made them feel brave. Teachers and librarians told me that once a child picked up a Charlie book, they always came back for more.

Those early messages shaped everything that came next.

What started as twos books at launch, quickly grew into ten. Each story followed Charlie as she navigated friendships, setbacks, triumphs, and the everyday challenges of growing up, all through the lens of cheer, teamwork, and resilience.

The series became known for:

• confidence‑building messages

• gentle emotional support for kids

• inclusivity and kindness

• fun, relatable adventures

• a strong, positive female lead

Hearing from parents that their children were reading independently for the first time, or that Charlie helped them through bullying or self‑doubt, remains one of the greatest honours of my writing life.

💛 The Heart of the Brand

Cheer Chick Charlie has always been more than a book series. She’s a friend. A cheerleader. A reminder that every child has something special inside them.

The website grew into a hub for kids, parents, and schools, filled with fun activities, resources, and a growing community of readers who saw themselves in Charlie’s world.

And even as my author career expands into new genres Charlie remains at the core of my creative journey. She’s the reason I became an author. She’s the reason Achieve Beyond Press exists. And she’ll always be part of everything I do.

As I build my new author website and broaden my writing horizons, I want readers (old and new) to know that Cheer Chick Charlie isn’t going anywhere. She continues to inspire, uplift, and empower children across Australia and now internationally.

Her message is timeless: Believe in yourself. Try your best. Lift each other up. And never be afraid to chase your dreams.

And that message will always be part of my work, no matter what I write next.

Bella, Charlie and Laura