How One Mom Turned a Toddler’s Truck Obsession into a Bestselling Learning Tool

A Toddler’s Passion Sparks a Bestseller

In a moment of inspiration, Ghina Makari Cane’s toddler, while playing with his toys, said, “Mama, Mama, I want four diggers and five trucks!” This simple request marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey that led to her debut children's book, Let’s Learn Numbers and Counting with Tractors, Diggers and Trucks.

What began as a casual conversation with her son has now turned into a bestselling educational tool, capturing the hearts of parents and educators. This book, born out of her desire to make learning fun, combines a child’s love for construction vehicles with early learning principles in a playful, engaging way.

From Idea to Bestseller

Ghina, a proud mother and award-winning marketer with over 20 years of experience, has always been driven by creativity. Her background in marketing, especially within the education sector, gave her the tools to create a learning resource that is not only effective but also enjoyable. Though successful in her corporate career, Ghina had always dreamed of becoming an author. That dream took shape when her son’s love of trucks and diggers inspired her to create a book that could combine his interests with educational content.

• “Like many parents, I saw how excited my toddler was every time he saw a truck or digger,” Ghina recalls. “One day, while I was working on another book, he said, ‘Mama, Mama, I want four diggers and five trucks!’ And just like that, an idea was born. I realized I could turn his passion for machines into a valuable learning tool.”

Her debut book, Let’s Learn Numbers and Counting with Tractors, Diggers and Trucks, is designed to teach children to count from 1 to 20, support STEM learning, and foster critical thinking skills. With a target audience of children aged 0–5, the book supports numeracy, STEM and cognitive development in a fun and engaging way. In just three days after its launch, the book reached #1 on Amazon Australia and is gaining traction globally.

What Makes ArtyMummaBooks Different

Ghina’s independent publishing house, ArtyMummaBooks, is built around the idea of creating educational content that makes learning enjoyable. With bold, visually appealing designs and evidence-based learning strategies, her books are crafted to actively engage children.

“The book is informed by early years psychology,” Ghina explains. “Research shows that education has the power to transform lives. If we can spark a love for learning early on, children are more likely to become lifelong learners. By tapping into what children already enjoy, like trucks and diggers, we make learning more engaging.”

One unique feature of Ghina’s book is that it grows with the child. Its design caters to various developmental stages: bright visuals for babies, counting exercises for toddlers, and more complex challenges for older children (introducing concepts such as size, speed, weight and mass in a simple, accessible way). The book also includes bonus challenges to develop problem-solving skills and critical thinking, plus a curated playlist and free poster pack for parents to extend the learning experience.

Endorsement from Experts

Let’s Learn Numbers and Counting with Tractors, Diggers and Trucks has earned praise from child development experts. Dr. Michele Dunbar, PhD in Psychology, endorsed the book, commending its focus on early learning principles.

“This book incorporates key elements of early-learning psychology,” Dr. Dunbar said. “The uncluttered design helps children stay focused, while the combination of bold colors, scaffolded learning, and practical challenges support cognitive development and early numeracy.”

The Emotional Appeal for Parents

For many parents, the emotional connection to the book is just as powerful as its educational value. As a mother, Ghina poured her love for her child into this project, giving it the personal touch that resonates with other parents.

“My son’s passion for trucks and diggers wasn’t just a passing phase,” Ghina reflects. “I wanted to nurture that interest while teaching him something valuable. I created this book not only to entertain but also to inspire a love for learning.”

Parents who have read the book with their children have praised its appeal. Livia, a mother, said, “Luca loved the book so much. He asked if there are more books like it!” Amy, another mother, added, “I love how visually appealing it is and that it includes challenges for kids, which is rare in many children's books.”

Looking Ahead: The Future of ArtyMummaBooks

Ghina’s vision doesn’t end with Let’s Learn Numbers and Counting with Tractors, Diggers and Trucks. As part of the Let’s Learn series, she plans to release multilingual editions, coloring books, and activity books designed to further support children's learning. The success of her first book is only the beginning.

“This is just the start,” Ghina says. “Our goal is to make learning fun and accessible for children worldwide. We will continue creating content that helps children engage with what they love, empowering their educational journeys. We want to create a love of learning, one book (or truck) at a time.”

Join the Movement and Make Learning Fun

Parents, educators, and anyone interested in fostering a love of learning in children will find value in Let’s Learn Numbers and Counting with Tractors, Diggers and Trucks. This educational resource is more than just a book, it’s an experience that taps into a child’s curiosity, helping them grow, learn, and develop through play.

For more information and to purchase the book, visit Amazon. Stay updated on future books in the Let’s Learn series by following Ghina on Instagram (@ghinamak) and ArtyMummaBooks (@artymummabooks) on Instagram.