If you’re a coach, you’ll know this moment well. An athlete looks at you with determination in their eyes and says: “I want a cartwheel, a round-off, a back tuck… maybe even a scorpion or bow and arrow.”
And then comes the sting. When you’re checking formations, running skill assessments, or lining up ratios for a routine — that athlete still doesn’t quite have it. You see the disappointment written all over their face. But when you gently ask if they’ve been putting in the work outside of training, the answer is a sheepish “no.”
That’s where the inspiration for my second book in the Little Cheer Library box set came from. I Want That Skill is a story about exactly this — wanting the glory of a skill without always realising the grit, dedication and hours it takes to get there.
Why Twins?
At the time of writing, I was coaching a primary school team with not one, but two sets of identical twins. It was chaos for my memory (I even made hair bows just to tell some apart!). Twins became the heart of this story — two sisters with the same dream, but very different approaches.
One sister trains hard, practices her drills, stretches, and works relentlessly. The other? She’s often “too busy” or “too tired” or has excuses lined up. In the end, it’s no surprise who gets the skill first. But here’s the twist: it inspires her sister to finally buckle down and put in the work.
It’s a lesson every athlete — and every parent or coach — will recognise.
Representation Matters
I wanted these characters to reflect the real world of cheerleading. They’re mixed-race twins, beautifully illustrated by Nina Mkhoiani, and surrounded by a team that mirrors the diversity I see on the mat every day. These books aren’t about stereotypes; they’re about children seeing themselves, their friends, and their families in the cheer stories they read.
A Nod to My Granddad
There’s also a character named Eric in the book — the girls’ cousin who’s already on the team they aspire to join. That name is a tribute to my granddad, who was the best storyteller I’ve ever known. He filled my childhood with bedtime tales, and in many ways inspired my love of story writing, even if I didn’t realise it at the time.
Culture on the Page
One of my favourite pages shows how gyms celebrate when athletes achieve a skill. Some ring a bell, others clap and cheer — it’s a special part of our culture. I wanted children to see that moment captured in a story they could relate to, because those small rituals of recognition mean so much in the sport.
Dedication and Legacy
The dedication in this book is very personal. It’s for Tina and Ashley, two mentors who shaped my teenage years and introduced me to cheerleading. They taught me that “there’s no such word as can’t” — a phrase that still guides me in coaching and in life. Sadly, Ashley has since passed, but their legacy of teaching, patience, and belief in young people is part of everything I do.
Why This Story Matters
I Want That Skill is more than just a cheerleading tale. It’s about resilience, choices, and understanding that achievements don’t fall into your lap. They come through sweat, repetition, and perseverance. And just like Myra and her sister Taffy in the book, it’s never too late to start putting in the work.
Thanks for joining me and I look forward to seeing you in the next chapter!
Allison xx
