The Story Behind "18 Ways to Get Your Children Excited About Reading"

(A family project, a decade in the making)

If you’ve been with me since my early Deep Fried Fruit blogging days, you might remember a little free PDF I created called “7 Ways to Get Children Excited About Reading.” It lived quietly on my Cheer Chick Charlie™ website and on my lifestyle blog back when I was writing about the art of ageing positively. At the time, it was simply a helpful resource I’d put together after hearing from parents who were desperate for ideas to get their kids reading.

What I didn’t know then was that this tiny PDF would become the seed of something much bigger.

It all started with parents saying, “My child never read before Cheer Chick Charlie.”

When I first launched the Cheer Chick Charlie™ series, I was blown away by the messages I received. Parents would come up to me at book launches, school visits, author events, around the coffee table at home, and say things like:

“My child never read before Cheer Chick Charlie.” “Thank you for creating a book my daughter actually wants to read.” “We’ve tried everything. This is the first series that worked.”

Those conversations stayed with me.

I spoke with teachers, librarians, parents, and kids themselves. I listened to what worked, what didn’t, what frustrated them, and what finally sparked that magical moment when a child chooses to read for pleasure.

Over the years, I collected stories, strategies, and little wins from families all over Australia. And every time someone shared a new idea, I’d think, I should add that to the list…

From 7 Ways… to 18 Ways

As the years passed, that original PDF started to feel too small. Parents wanted more ideas.

And I wanted to create something that reflected everything I’d learned from 14 years of conversations.

So I went back to the drawing board.

I expanded the list. I refined the tips. I added new strategies based on real‑life success stories. And I shaped it into something that even the busiest parent could pick up, skim, and immediately put into action.

The goal was simple: Make reading feel fun, achievable, and stress‑free for families.

A book designed for real life

I knew this book had to be:

• Easy to read

• Quick to dip in and out of

• Practical, not preachy

• Encouraging, not overwhelming

• Filled with ideas that work in real households

Every tip is short, sharp, and actionable because I know parents don’t have time for long lectures. They need quick wins. They need ideas they can try tonight. They need reassurance that they’re doing a great job.

And they deserve a cheer squad too.

A family project from start to finish

One of my favourite parts of creating this book was bringing my niece into the process. She’s a talented social content creator and is a handy graphic designer, and I wanted this project to feel like a true family collaboration, just like Cheer Chick Charlie™ has always been.

She helped me shape the visuals, refine the layout, and bring warmth and personality to every page. Together, we created something that feels both polished and personal. Something that reflects the heart behind the message.

Why this book matters to me

18 Ways to Get Children Excited About Reading isn’t just a guide. It’s 14 years of of conversations. It’s the voices of parents who wanted help. It’s the excitement of kids who discovered their first favourite book. It’s the wisdom of teachers who’ve seen it all. It’s the evolution of a simple PDF into a meaningful resource. And it’s a celebration of families cheering their children on.

If this book helps even one more child fall in love with reading, or helps one more parent feel confident and supported (and keep a full head of hair) then every step of this journey has been worth it.

Jessica working on the design.