The House That She Built

What comes to mind when you think of the crew that designs and builds a house? For many individuals, that mental image includes only men; this innovative book destroys gender stereotyping and promotes strong, successful women in building. The House That She Built showcases eighteen women of different ethnic backgrounds, shapes, and ages. The author combines her knowledge of home assembly with age-appropriate language to explain the purpose and specific skill set behind each crucial task. Repetition is used in between job descriptions, helping the book flow effortlessly from page to page.

This book features a diverse group of women working in a male-dominated field. It will inspire children to know that the women in this book are based on real, hard-working individuals. As an adult who admittedly knows little about construction, I was able to learn from this book myself. The conclusion of the book places importance on teamwork, female empowerment, and critical-thinking skills. Elkman encourages the reader to use counting and self-reflection to answer questions following the story.

Readers ages four to eight will enjoy this beautifully illustrated story of powerful women. This book proves that women are capable of excelling in any job.