Helping the next generation discover careers they never knew existed.
Classroom Resources & Children's Books
Plant the seed early. These picture books and activity resources help early childhood and primary educators introduce Construction, Energy and Manufacturing to every child, with a particular focus on girls and women in every kind of job, including the ones most adults have never heard of.
This Girl Built That
by Emma Wallace
An empowering Australian picture book celebrating women in the construction industry. Follows a girl inspired by the women who design, build and create around her. Written and illustrated by an Australian architect.
Showing 19 books
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
by Virginia Lee Burton
A classic tale of a steam shovel operator who proves that determination and hard work can save the day. Introduces big machines and trades in a warm, timeless story.
Buildablock
by Christopher Franceschelli
A chunky, die-cut board book that lets little hands experience the layers of a building, from foundations to rooftop. Perfect for curious toddlers and pre-schoolers.
Let's Go To The Hardware Store
by Anne Rockwell
A bright, engaging book that introduces young children to common tools and materials found in a hardware store, sparking curiosity about how things are made and fixed.
My Mom is a Plumbing Superhero Colouring Book
by Various Contributors
A fun colouring activity book that shows mums (and kids!) working in plumbing. Introduces children to women in skilled trades through engaging illustrations they can colour in.
The House That She Built
by Mollie Elkman
Inspired by a true story, this book celebrates the all-women team that built a house from the ground up. Each page spotlights a different trade, from architect to plumber to painter.
A Girl Can Build Anything
by e.E. Charlton-Trujillo & Pat Zietlow Miller
A spirited picture book about a girl who discovers her passion for building and inventing, showing young readers that creativity and persistence make anything possible.
Find this bookThe Most Magnificent Thing
by Ashley Spires
A girl decides to make the most magnificent thing, but it's harder than she thinks! A wonderful story about perseverance, failure, and the design process. Supports growth mindset conversations.
Boxitects
by Kim Smith
Meg is a boxitect: she builds incredible things from cardboard boxes. When a new student challenges her, she must learn to collaborate. Celebrates engineering, creativity and teamwork.
Find this bookSomeone Builds the Dream
by Lisa Wheeler
A lyrical tribute to the workers behind every big project: stadiums, bridges, schools. From architects to welders to electricians, this book shows children all the trades that make dreams real.
Find this bookWillow Discovers Welding
by Kelli Nicole Gilliam
Young Willow gets to experience welding for the first time and discovers a passion for metalwork. Part of a series introducing girls to skilled trades through hands-on exploration.
Find this bookSupply Jane Clears the Way
by Megan Preston Meyer
Supply Jane introduces children to supply chain and logistics: how goods move from factories to shops. An engaging way to introduce manufacturing and operations to young learners.
Find this bookPlumber Paige: Let's Replace a Shower Head
by Various Contributors
Follow Paige, a young female plumber, as she walks children through a real plumbing job. A hands-on, step-by-step story that demystifies a skilled trade for young readers.
Find this bookConstruction People
by Selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins, illustrated by Ellen Shi
An illustrated poetry collection celebrating 14 skilled trades, from crane operators to carpenters. Beautiful verse and bold illustrations make this an excellent read-aloud for classrooms.
If I Built a House
by Chris Van Dusen
Jack has the most wonderfully outrageous ideas for his dream house: a race-track staircase, a hover-craft garage, a pool room. A playful invitation for kids to imagine and design their own spaces.
Find this bookBuilding Our House
by Jonathan Bean
A family moves from a crowded city apartment to build their own house in the country. Follows the real construction process month by month, a gentle, detailed and authentic look at how homes are built.
Find this bookGrit Leads to Greatness
by Jenny Kerr Schroen & Chris Eccleston
An epic adventure story woven around the world of skilled trades. Children follow a quest that shows how grit, determination and practical skills can genuinely change the world.
Find this bookAll About Smart Manufacturing
by Mike Nager
An accessible introduction to modern manufacturing: robots, automation, precision engineering, and the humans who run it all. Perfect for upper primary students curious about Industry 4.0.
Discovering Architecture
by Erin McManness
A beautiful, richly illustrated guide to architectural styles, famous buildings, and the design principles that shape our built environment. Sparks curiosity about design and construction careers.
Find this bookHow Was That Built?
by Roma Agrawal
A fascinating deep-dive into how the world's most extraordinary structures (bridges, skyscrapers, dams) are actually built. Written by a structural engineer, it makes complex engineering accessible and exciting.
Educator Tips
Read aloud & discuss
Use these books as read-alouds before an industry excursion or role model visit. Ask children: 'What job would you want to try?' or 'What tools did you spot in the pictures?'
Link to real workplaces
Pair a book with a LinkUp Careers program. For example, read 'The House That She Built' before a construction site visit. Seeing real workers makes the stories come alive.
Browse ProgramsCreative follow-ups
After 'Boxitects' or 'If I Built a House', give children cardboard and challenge them to build something. Document their design process: plan, build, test, improve.
Invite a guest speaker
Use these books to introduce a tradie, engineer or industry professional as a guest speaker. Women, male allies, and gender-diverse role models are all welcome. The books prime children with vocabulary, curiosity and confidence to ask great questions.
Browse Role ModelsWant more resources?
Explore our full educator hub for lesson plans, excursion guides, industry contacts and ways to bring LinkUp Careers directly into your classroom.