Illustrated by Don Tate

A Junior Library Guild selection

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

Praise for Whoosh!

Honors

Other Links

Alcalde: July|August 2016 Alumni Authors

American Association for the Advancement of Science: Summer Reading: Invention and Innovation

Book-It Repertory Theatre: Announcing the Arts and Education 2017-2018 Touring Shows!

Booklist: Core Collection: Picture-Book Biographies of Scientists

Booklist: Classroom Connections: Overlooked Inventors and Their Notable Inventions

The Booklist Reader: Super-Soaked Summer Fun with Scientist Lonnie Johnson

CBS News: Making a big splash with the Super Soaker

Celebrate Picture Books: National Inventors Month: Whoosh!

Charlesbridge: Encouraging Inspiration and Invention: The WHOOSH! Backstory

The Children’s Book Council: Black Lives Matter

Colours of Us: 40 Best Multicultural Picture Books of 2016

Don Tate: Illustrating Lonnie Johnson’s story, Whoosh!

Don Tate: Whoosh! Research and texting with Lonnie Johnson

Forbes: The Inventor Of The Super Soaker Talks About Turning Inventions Into Products And His Next Big Idea

A Fuse #8 Production:31 Days, 31 Lists: Day 24 — 2016 Science and Nature Books for Kids

A Fuse #8 Production:31 Days, 31 Lists: Day 27 — 2016 Nonfiction Picture Books

A Fuse #8 Production: (like you really need another list from me) 100 Magnificent Children’s Books 2016!

Here Wee Read: 55 of the Best Diverse Picture and Board Books of 2016

The Horn Book: 2017 Summer Reading: Easy Readers and Primary Grades

Junior Library Guild: Sofa Secrets with Chris Barton and Don Tate

Kid Lit Frenzy: Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

Mrs. Knott’s Book Nook: Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday – My 2016 Favorites

Mrs. Knott’s Book Nook: Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday 5.11.16 Super Soakers!

NBC News: Super Soaker Inventor Takes Aim at Funding High School Robotics Teams

The New York Times: Talking to Kids About Racism, Early and Often

The Nonfiction Detectives: The Best Nonfiction Books of 2016

Pernille Ripp: My Favorite Picture Books of 2016

Publishers Weekly: A Day of Accolades at Bank Street

PW KidsCast: A Conversation with Chris Barton

PW ShelfTalker: A Joyful Diversity Collection

Scholastic: 50 Sensational Books of Summer

School Library Journal: #BlackinSTEM: 17 Nonfiction Books That Spotlight Black Scientists, Thinkers, and Inventors

School Library Journal: 39 Titles To Round Out Any Maker Program

Smithsonian Institution Lemelson Center: Innovative Lives: Lonnie Johnson

TeachingBooks: Meet-the-Author Book Reading

Texas Bluebonnet Award: Chris Barton Interview

Texas Bluebonnet Award: Don Tate Interview