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Josephine and Her Dishwashing Machine

Josephine Cochrane's Bright Invention Makes a Splash

Author Kate Hannigan
Illustrated by Sarah Green
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Hardcover
$18.99 US
Astra Publishing House | Calkins Creek
8.88"W x 11.56"H x 0.38"D   | 17 oz | 24 per carton
On sale Mar 14, 2023 | 40 Pages | 9781635926217
Age 7-10 years | Grades 2-5
Reading Level: Lexile 810L | Fountas & Pinnell T
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Celebrate the inventor of the dishwasher in this inspiring STEM/STEAM picture book biography about Josephine Garis Cochrane, the brains behind one of the world's most-used kitchen appliances.

Many Americans have a dishwasher in their kitchen. But who invented it?

Meet Josephine Garis Cochrane: entrepreneur, innovator, girlboss. Washing dishes is a pain—it leaves Josephine's cups cracked, her dishes dinged, and her chowder bowls chipped. She’d rather be picking flowers, frosting cakes, or playing piano than dealing with cracked crockery. What to do about a chore that’s icky, destructive, and time-consuming? Josephine tackles this task the modern way: she makes a machine to do it for her! She tinkers and tests, and perseveres through fizzles and flops—until she has a government patent for her invention, and there are whirring, whizzing, bubbling dishwashers making a splash across America.

This charming tale includes an author’s note, a list of notable women inventors, a timeline of fascinating inventions, and a list of sources.
Winner, 2024 Colonial Dames Award
A 2024 NSTA-CBC Best STEM Book
A Bank Street Best Children's Book

"Though Cochrane’s may not be a household name, Hannigan seeks to change that, presenting the events chronologically and factually, interspersing the narration with quotes and information about other inventors of the period, women included. Green’s bright digital illustrations capture Josephine’s determination and emotions and enhance the text with diagrams, sketches, and charming homey details, including dishes and tools floating by. A wonderfully realized introduction to a fascinating, long-overlooked woman." —Kirkus Reviews

"Hannigan portrays Cochrane as astrong-minded woman who succeeded despite legal and social constraints on women’s actions, while Green’s colorful digital illustrations provide appropriate character portrayals, period settings, and clothing for the story. The informative back matter offers introductions to 16 other women inventors as well as more information on Cochrane and her company. A picture book celebrating a little-known inventor."—Booklist
© Erielle Bakkum Photography
Kate Hannigan loves digging up stories about remarkable people forgotten by history. She is the author of The Detective's Assistant, the story of America's first woman detective, which won the SCBWI Golden Kite Award for best middle-grade fiction. She is also the author of the Cupcake Cousins series. Kate lives in Chicago, Illinois, with her family and dog. Visit katesbooks.com View titles by Kate Hannigan
Sarah Green is a RISD educated illustrator and designer born and based in San Francisco. She is the illustrator of numerous picture books, including FIGHT OF THE CENTURY by Barb Rosenstock, DOROTHEA LANGE by Carole Boston Weatherford, and ELIZABETH WARREN by Susan Wood.
Visit sarahgreenillustration.com. View titles by Sarah Green

About

Celebrate the inventor of the dishwasher in this inspiring STEM/STEAM picture book biography about Josephine Garis Cochrane, the brains behind one of the world's most-used kitchen appliances.

Many Americans have a dishwasher in their kitchen. But who invented it?

Meet Josephine Garis Cochrane: entrepreneur, innovator, girlboss. Washing dishes is a pain—it leaves Josephine's cups cracked, her dishes dinged, and her chowder bowls chipped. She’d rather be picking flowers, frosting cakes, or playing piano than dealing with cracked crockery. What to do about a chore that’s icky, destructive, and time-consuming? Josephine tackles this task the modern way: she makes a machine to do it for her! She tinkers and tests, and perseveres through fizzles and flops—until she has a government patent for her invention, and there are whirring, whizzing, bubbling dishwashers making a splash across America.

This charming tale includes an author’s note, a list of notable women inventors, a timeline of fascinating inventions, and a list of sources.

Praise

Winner, 2024 Colonial Dames Award
A 2024 NSTA-CBC Best STEM Book
A Bank Street Best Children's Book

"Though Cochrane’s may not be a household name, Hannigan seeks to change that, presenting the events chronologically and factually, interspersing the narration with quotes and information about other inventors of the period, women included. Green’s bright digital illustrations capture Josephine’s determination and emotions and enhance the text with diagrams, sketches, and charming homey details, including dishes and tools floating by. A wonderfully realized introduction to a fascinating, long-overlooked woman." —Kirkus Reviews

"Hannigan portrays Cochrane as astrong-minded woman who succeeded despite legal and social constraints on women’s actions, while Green’s colorful digital illustrations provide appropriate character portrayals, period settings, and clothing for the story. The informative back matter offers introductions to 16 other women inventors as well as more information on Cochrane and her company. A picture book celebrating a little-known inventor."—Booklist

Author

© Erielle Bakkum Photography
Kate Hannigan loves digging up stories about remarkable people forgotten by history. She is the author of The Detective's Assistant, the story of America's first woman detective, which won the SCBWI Golden Kite Award for best middle-grade fiction. She is also the author of the Cupcake Cousins series. Kate lives in Chicago, Illinois, with her family and dog. Visit katesbooks.com View titles by Kate Hannigan
Sarah Green is a RISD educated illustrator and designer born and based in San Francisco. She is the illustrator of numerous picture books, including FIGHT OF THE CENTURY by Barb Rosenstock, DOROTHEA LANGE by Carole Boston Weatherford, and ELIZABETH WARREN by Susan Wood.
Visit sarahgreenillustration.com. View titles by Sarah Green

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