Chris Barton

You know the Super Soaker. It's one of the 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...

Glitter is surprisingly scientific -- from the way it sparkles to how it got so small, learn the various ways human ingenuity has helped us all to shine. An informative picture book about the origins and present day uses of -- and obsession with -- glitter"--

Illustrations and easy-to-follow text describe how brothers Bob and Joe Switzer invented fluorescent paint and colors; and explains how fluorescence works.

Released to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, this book commemorates what was lost and offers hope for the future.

Every December, The Nutcracker comes to life in theaters all across the United States. But how did this 19th-century Russian ballet become such a big part of the holidays in 21st-century America? Meet William, Harold, and Lew Christensen, three small-town Utah boys who caught the ballet bug in the early 1900s. They performed on vaudeville and took part in the New York City dance scene. Russian immigrants shared the story of The Nutcracker with them,...

When a muddy truck reluctantly gets a truck wash, he transforms into a superhero.

"A little boy can't choose which instrument to play, so he decides to try them all"--

A discovery that made the world a brighter place! Joe and Bob Switzer were very different brothers. Bob was a studious planner who wanted to grow up to be a doctor. Joe dreamed of making his fortune in show business and loved magic tricks and problem-solving. When an accident left Bob recovering in a darkened basement, the brothers began experimenting with ultraviolet light and fluorescent paints. Together they invented a whole new kind of color,

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"A picture book biography on Alton Yates, a Black man who served in the Air Force in the 1950s and contributed to key research on flight safety for pilots and passengers. After returning home, Alton dedicated his life to standing against Jim Crow and fighting for racial equality"--

Clarence was just a muddy pickup. One day, there was a big storm and Lightning zapped the car wash. Now Clarence has a secret: Water turns him into MIGHTY TRUCK! Everyone has a job to do in Axleburg. Stella's job is to be a news chopper and fly high in the sky to loudly report what she sees. But Stella is loud all the time, and Clarence cannot stand it! Clarence and his friends teach Stella to use her inside voice by speaking wheely softly and...