Creating a skilled workforce starts with cultivating the talent of tomorrow. That’s why Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) is taking a fresh, innovative approach to inspiring interest in the trades at a young age.
ACCA is excited to introduce The Air Came to a Stop, the second book in Ryan Kiscaden’s Next UP Trades series, available on November 12. This popular kid’s book, inspired by the success of The Water Came to a Stop, makes HVACR fun, approachable, and easily digestible for young readers. Designed to ignite interest in skilled trades, the series shines a light on essential careers, making HVACR engaging and relatable for young minds. ACCA is proud to sponsor this initiative by Kiscaden Consulting LLC, which creates children’s books promoting skilled trades and essential industries.
The Air Came to a Stop: Building tomorrow’s workforce
This release comes at a pivotal moment for the HVACR field, as experienced professionals are retiring faster than new talent can join. Children’s story books like The Air Came to a Stop do more than entertain—they’re educational tools that introduce kids to the rewarding and valuable paths in skilled trades.
This kid’s educational book follows a child named Kay, who is feeling unusually warm during school. When Kay tries to help her classmates, she inadvertently causes an air conditioning problem. When contracting company Next Up Trades and their HVACR technicians, Gomer Gopher and Drafty Giraffe, come and save the day, the students learn about teamwork, HVACR technology, and develop a deeper appreciation for the skilled trades.
Why this book matters
The Air Came to a Stop, designed for children ages 4-10, helps shape young readers’ understanding of skilled trades by showcasing the valuable work done by HVACR professionals. Through relatable characters and storytelling, it introduces children to career day concepts and encourages them to see skilled trades as exciting, indispensable career paths. Early exposure to popular trade career exploration books can spark curiosity and even influence future career choices. ACCA’s 2024–2025 chair, Martin Hoover, shares:
“HVACR is about more than just fixing thermostats. It’s about ensuring safety and comfort in people’s homes. Skilled trades keep our infrastructure running; these professionals are the backbone of our communities.”
Meet the author: Ryan Kiscaden
Author Ryan Kiscaden is a marketer in the HVACR and plumbing industries, who created the Next UP Trades Series to inspire the next generation of skilled trade professionals and change the perception of technicians to better highlight their necessity. Centering his stories on workforce development, Kiscaden shows young readers that careers in HVACR are as rewarding as they are crucial. Through The Air Came to a Stop and The Water Came to a Stop, he brings HVACR to life, inspiring children to envision themselves in these real-world careers.
“Our mission is to make HVACR cool for kids and to help them recognize that skilled trades professionals are essential to their comfort,” Kiscaden explains. His work inspires the next generation to see the value of these professions.
Don’t miss the launch!
The Air Came to a Stop is now available in print and eBook formats in English and Spanish. Supporting ACCA’s mission, The Air Came to a Stop serves as a valuable resource for teaching kids about the importance of skilled trades through some of the best children’s books available today.
Join ACCA in celebrating this exciting launch! Get your copy and help inspire the next generation to explore HVACR and other skilled trades as meaningful career paths.
ACCA members can get discounted copies of The Air Came to a Stop on the ACCA website.
The Air Came to a Stop is also available on Amazon in both English and Spanish.
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