Joseph Kluge, a welding instructor from Janesville, Wis., took a significant step by authoring his first children's book, "My First Welding Book." This 30-page work aims to generate early interest in welding and showcase the various jobs available for those with welding skills. Picture books have a unique ability to capture children's attention, and Kluge saw an opportunity to use this medium to introduce welding to a younger audience.

Unlock the World of Welding for Kids with This Inspiring Book

On an Adventure with Miguel, Rosie, and Sparkz

Flip through the book and you'll be transported to a world where welding comes alive. Miguel, Rosie, and Sparkz the dog embark on a journey, interacting with welders at work. In one scene, they visit the ocean and encounter an underwater welder, while in another, they meet a metal artist and their magnificent sculpture. The illustrations, drawn by Kluge's daughter, Kyla, dominate each page, creating a visual feast for the eyes. Kluge deliberately kept the words to a minimum, believing that this approach would open up discussions between children and parents. As you see someone welding underwater, it sparks a conversation that might lead to a deeper understanding of welding. This is the essence of the book - to inspire curiosity and exploration.

For example, imagine a child looking at the illustration of the underwater welder. They might ask questions like, "How do they breathe down there?" or "What kind of tools do they use?" These questions can lead to a discussion about the different aspects of welding and the skills required. It's a simple yet powerful way to introduce children to a profession that might otherwise seem mysterious.

The book's description on Amazon and BookBaby pages echoes this sentiment. It states that the book is a means to get kids interested in welding and have fun along the way. It can create stories with them and inspire them to dream big. By showing children what it's like to work as a welder in a career, they can see the cool things that welders get to work on every day.

From a Non-Reader to an Advocate

As a child, Kluge didn't have a love for reading. However, the PBS show "Reading Rainbow" motivated him to change his attitude. This show's approach to engaging children and getting them to read stuck with him, and it inspired him to create his first picture book. He thought, "What if I did one of these that could have been on this show?" This idea became the foundation of "My First Welding Book."

Kluge's own journey in the welding profession has been a diverse one. He has worked in production, job shops, and as a pipe welder, earning CWI/CWE certifications along the way. This experience taught him the value of welding education and gave him a chance to give teenagers and others more exposure to welding. Today, he is a welding instructor at Blackhawk Technical College and a technology education teacher at Beloit Memorial High School.

He is no stranger to advocating for the welding profession. Teaching has allowed him to share his passion with young people and show them why he fell in love with welding more than two decades ago. In the past, trades were not as popular as they are today, but Kluge believes that there is still a need to promote welding and its opportunities.

The Popularity of the Welding Program

So far, Kluge's efforts have been paying off. This school year, he teaches about 220 students at the high school, and for the first time, there is a waiting list to get into the welding classes. Kluge attributes this popularity to the inherent appeal of welding itself.

"I'm not out trying to sell it to anybody; I think it sells itself," he said. The practical applications and the sense of accomplishment that come with welding seem to resonate with students. They see the real-world value of this skill and are eager to learn.

With one published title under his belt, Kluge has big plans for the future. He'd like to take this concept to an older audience, perhaps middle school. While "My First Welding Book" is targeted at children ages 12 and under, preteens and teens might not find a picture book as appealing. He wants to explore more complex topics like machines and techniques, making them more understandable for older readers.

"I'm not sure how exactly that will lay out... I've got a few ideas in the works," he said with excitement. Kluge's passion for welding and his dedication to sharing it with others are evident in his work, and it will be interesting to see where his ideas take him next.