Bella Baumädchen's team: craftswoman and model Sandra Hunke, successful author Britta Sabbag (center), and illustrator Igor Lange. (Photo: © Sebastian Knoth)
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February 1, 2022
Bella Baumädchen is a tough new children's book character. With charm and chutzpah, she shatters clichés. The character was conceived by Sandra Hunke, and autobiographical elements are certainly intentional.
Red hair, a thousand freckles, a cute gap between her teeth, and always a pair of pliers at hand. That's the new, endearing children's book character, Bella Baumädchen (Bella the Construction Worker ). The character was created by Sandra Hunke , a plumbing, heating, and air conditioning technician from Oesterholz-Haustenbeck in East Westphalia. Sandra isn't just a craftswoman through and through ; the young woman is also a sought-after model and a regular on the catwalks of major fashion capitals . Nevertheless, she remains true to her craft.
Simply click and pre-order at the VH Bookshop! Photo: © Sebastian KnothWith Bella Baumädchen Sandra's dream comes trueBella not only looks like her creator, she also shares a Enthusiasm"Bella's passion is tinkering," the 29-year-old craftswoman describes her construction girl. In the first episode, which will be released in March, Bella wants to build a playhouse for the neighborhood children. "But can a girl do that?"
A question Sandra has encountered time and again in life. Back then as a schoolgirl , now as a plant mechanic, she has to fight against stereotypes . During her school days, she often heard: "Too lanky, red hair and freckles. Not exactly the ideal of beauty for the boys back then. " Very few of today's top models were beauty queens in their childhood schoolyards. Today, Sandra laughs about it. With a life spent in the fashion worlds of Paris, London, and Berlin, this confident all-rounder knows: " Times change. People change, too. "
After finishing school, she decided, like everyone in her family, to pursue an apprenticeship in a trade. Then a friend discovered the " Miss & Mister Crafts " competition. Before Sandra knew it, she was among the finalists. The casting event has been running for twelve years – since August 2021 under the umbrella brand Power People . "And I even landed on the cover of the crafts calendar ." That's when life in the fast lane began for the model.
Operations management
Operations management
Operations management
More and more requests from modeling agencies landed on her desk. She managed to juggle work on the construction site with the catwalk . TV stations and print magazines followed the plumber and the model. On social media , but also on television, she advocates for gender equality at every opportunity.
It is her dedication and her cheerful, down-to-earth nature that inspire people . These are character traits that Sandra, together with bestselling author Britta Sabbag and illustrator Igor Lange, gave to her character Bella Baumädchen.
Sandra's approach is: Don't talk, do! She explains why she absolutely wanted to write a children's book like this: " To combat prejudice as early as possible, it's best to start with children . They are still unbiased." The picture book is intended to show children, especially girls, a strong role model.
Bella's adventures demonstrate that outdated societal patterns and role stereotypes are a thing of the past. That's why she has a mission in all her endeavors: "You can be anything. There's no saying no to big dreams! " For Bella and Sandra, the divide between men's and women's professions is long gone . And they impressively demonstrate something else: women can be skilled craftspeople and beautiful at the same time.
Bella the Builder: You Can Be Anything! Bella much prefers repairing, building, and tinkering to playing with dolls. The other girls don't understand Bella, and the boys even laugh at her. Until Bella shows everyone what a girl can do with one of her building ideas. Available March 4, 2022, €14,99. Order the book here!
DHB is now also available digitally! Simply click here and register for the digital DHB!
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