Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions, Paperback

A cool idea with a big splash

You know the Super Soaker. It's one of top twenty toys of all time. And it was invented entirely by accident. Trying to create a new cooling system for refrigerators and air conditioners, impressive inventor Lonnie Johnson instead created the mechanics for the iconic toy.

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

One of top 20 toys of all time, the Super Soaker water gun was invented entirely by accident. Trying to create a new cooling system for refrigerators and air conditioners, impressive inventor Lonnie Johnson instead created the mechanics for the iconic toy. Full color.

About the Author:

Chris Barton is the award-winning, best-selling author of several books for children, including Shark vs. Train (Little, Brown) and The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors. He lives in Austin, Texas.

Don Tate is an award-winning author and illustrator of many books for children. His illustrated books include The Cart That Carried Martin and Hope's Gift (Putnam). He is also both author and illustrator of It Jes' Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Draw (Lee & Low) as well as Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton (Peach Tree). He lives in Austin, Texas.