This Girl Built That was written to create a spark

My name is Emma and I work full time as a Services Manager (Assistant) in the construction industry, and I wrote and illustrated ‘This Girl Built That’.

‘This Girl Built That’ is a children’s story book aimed at exposing and inspiring primary school aged children (particularly girls) to the breadth of job opportunities available in the construction industry.

The book depicts a diverse and representative workforce through bright and bold illustrations.

In my own words, a spark is an inspiration. I hope to inspire a little girl to work in construction, to show a little boy that girls can do it too or challenge an adult on who they expect to see on a construction site.

Since its publication in February 2024, the book has made its way to every State and Territory in Australia, to 8 countries around the world, but most importantly, into the hands of many little people to be read with their mums and dads.

For projects like this, it can be tricky to measure the impact, however, the anecdotal evidence speaks for itself:

• After reading ‘This Girl Built That’, a little girl was drawing princess builders.
• I have had numerous messages from women speaking with pride for the book which depicts their job role.
• Fathers have contacted me saying that they have ordered a copy of ‘This Girl Built That’ to read to their daughters

‘This Girl Built That’ was written to create a spark.

And I think it has done just that.