“We shape our tools and thereafter they shape us”

-John Culkin

Good Morning,

Welcome to the December, 2025 newsletter by MAKE Publishing! We hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving with your family and friends. We are thrilled to bring you our December newsletter, where our mission is to educate, inspire, and equip the next generation to win in manufacturing. Included in this newsletter you will find each of our pillars; Read, Build, Experience. We are honored to have your family onboard, let’s dive in!

READ

Continuing with our overview of Blake Prepares for Manufacturing, this month we focus on Chapter 2; Tool Identification. In this chapter Blake earns an immersive experience in manufacturing, seeing parts of the process not often discussed. Blake meets his Dad’s tool salesman, Mr. Mac, and works with Mac to identify and purchase all items on the tool list. Later, Blake makes shadow boards to hold the tools on the production floor. In the process Blake learns the details of five tools (screwdriver, drill, wrench, hammer, ratchet) and more manufacturing terms.

Is your child interested in tools? Try the hardware store tool hunt on page 40!

BUILD

Growing up, I had the opportunity to spend many summer days working at my Dad’s auto repair garage. This experience provided me a fantastic foundation of knowledge on cars, critical thinking, and problem solving. One of my favorite activities of the summer was visiting the Mac Tools truck when it came. Chapter 2 in Blake Prepares for Manufacturing is loosely based on my experience in the Mac Tools truck as a kid. If you see one of these driving, follow it! Your kids will enjoy the opportunity to go in and learn about tools.

EXPERIENCE

At MAKE Publishing, we have much to be thankful for. This Thanksgiving was a great reminder. From us to you, we hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Did your child like learning about manufacturing? Please see all we have going on at MAKE Publishing and share this email with a friend!

Read | Build | Experience

Joe & Amanda