Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions

Illustrated by Don Tate

Included on the 2017-18 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List and 20 other state reading lists

Starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly

Also available in Spanish (¡Fushhh!)

A cool idea with a big splash!

You know the Super Soaker. It’s one of the top twenty toys of all time. And it was an accidental discovery that brought it into being. Trying to create a new cooling system for refrigerators and air conditioners, inventor Lonnie Johnson instead created the mechanics for the iconic toy.

A love for rockets, robots, inventions, and a mind for creativity were present in Lonnie Johnson’s early life. Growing up in a house full of siblings, Lonnie demonstrated persistence and a passion for problem solving that became the cornerstone of his career as an engineer and his work with NASA. But it is Lonnie’s invention of the Super Soaker water gun that has made the most memorable splash in popular culture.

32 pages
Ages 7-10
2016
Charlesbridge
ISBN: 9781580892971

Named one of the best children’s books of the year by:

American Booksellers Association

American Society for Engineering Education, the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association, the National Science Teachers Association, the Society of Elementary Presidential Awardees and the Children’s Book Council (CBC)

Bank Street College of Education

Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature

Chicago Public Library

Denver Public Library

International Literacy Association and the CBC

Kirkus Reviews

Nerdy Book Club

New York Public Library

Parents

Find It

Find it at your nearest library or local bookstore

Read (and Watch!) More

Collected posts about Whoosh! on my blog, Bartography

YouTube playlist: Lonnie Johnson, inventor of the Super Soaker water gun

Let's Talk About It

Ask me anything about Whoosh!

Goodreads

TeachingBooks resources

Download

A discussion and activity guide

Praise for Whoosh!

*Starred Review* Barton shows the tenacity and dedication (and, sometimes, plain good timing) needed to prove ideas. … A delightfully child-friendly and painfully necessary diversification of the science field.

KIRKUS REVIEWS

*Starred Review* [T]he story of African-American inventor Lonnie Johnson is tailor-made for a young audience, and Barton and Tate do it justice in this inspiring account of a man driven toward innovation against the odds.

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

The author’s note explains Barton’s mission to diversify common perceptions of what scientists and engineers look like and who they can be. This engaging and informative picture book exploration of Johnson’s life succeeds in that right.

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

This upbeat tribute makes an engaging and inspiring addition to STEM collections.

BOOKLIST

Barton’s clean, lively prose and Tate’s boldly composed, often comical illustrations–including a dramatic gatefold capturing the Super Soaker’s mighty trajectory–make Lonnie Johnson’s story of passion and persistence whoosh to life.

SHELF AWARENESS

The story focuses on an unlikely character who is not privileged, but has a persistence and patience that will act as a role model for all young inventors. A great depiction of an inventor with the “right stuff”! Highly recommended for all ages!

NATIONAL SCIENCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

Honors

American Library Association &
Children’s Book Council Joint Committee
2020-21 Reading Beyond Book List for Children in Grades K-1 Reading at a 3rd Grade Level

Arizona Library Association
2019 Grand Canyon Reader Award (Nonfiction) – Nominee

Arkansas Department of Education, the Arkansas State Library, and the Arkansas Literacy Association
Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award 2018-2019 Reading List

Association of Illinois School Library Educators
2019 Illinois Bluestem Readers’ Choice Award Nominees Master List

Association for Library Service to Children
Notable Children’s Books 2017 (Non-Fiction) – Nominee

Bank Street College of Education
The Cook Prize (Best Science, Technology, Engineering and Math [STEM] picture book) – 2017 Finalist

The Children’s Book Council and the National Council for the Social Studies
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2017

Children’s Literature Association of Utah
2018 Beehive Book Awards (Informational) – Winner

The Cooperative Children’s Book Center
CCBC Choices 2017

Every Child a Reader
2017 Children’s Choice Book Awards, 3rd-4th Grade Book of the Year – Finalist

Indiana Library Federation
2018-2019 Young Hoosier Book Award (Intermediate) – Nominee

Land of Enchantment Book Award (New Mexico)
2020 Coyote Award (Grades 3-5) – Winner

Maine Association of School Libraries
The Chickadee Award, The Maine Children’s Choice Picture Book Award – 2017-2018 Nominee

Maryland Association of School Librarians
2017-2018 Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Picture Book, Grades 4-6) – Nominee

Maryland Library Association, Children’s Services Division
2017 Maryland Blue Crab Young Reader Award, Transitional Non-Fiction – Winner

Michigan Reading Association
2018-19 Great Lakes Great Books Award (Grades 2-3) – Nominee

North Carolina Children’s Book Awards
2017-18 Junior Book Nominee

Nutmeg Book Award (Connecticut)
2019 Elementary Nutmeg Book Award – Nominee

Oregon Association of School Libraries
2018-19 Beverly Cleary Children’s Choice Award – Nominee

Oregon State Literacy Association
2020-21 Patricia Gallagher Children’s Choice Picture Book Award – Winner

Pennsylvania School Librarians Association
2017 – 2018 Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Awards Program Master List, Grades 3-6

Read-On Wisconsin
2017-2018 Primary (Grades K-2) Books

Rhode Island Library Association, School Librarians of Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island Center for the Book
2018 Rhode Island Children’s Book Award Nominee

Tennessee Association of School Librarians
2018-2019 Volunteer State Book Award Nominee List

Texas Institute of Letters
Denton Record Chronicle Award for Best Children’s Picture Book – 2017 Finalist

Texas Library Association
2017-18 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List

Vermont Center for the Book/Mother Goose Programs and the Vermont Department of Libraries
2017-2018 Red Clover Award (Picture Book Award For Grades K-4) – Nominee

Washington Library Association
2018 Towner Award – Winner and Educators’ Choice

Writers’ League of Texas
2016 WLT Book Awards (Picture Book) – Finalist