Josephine and Her Dishwashing Machine: Josephine Cochrane's Bright Invention Makes a Splash

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.

Author: Kate Hannigan
Publisher: Calkins Creek Books
Published: 03/14/2023
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1lbs
Size: 11.02h x 8.58w x 0.39d
ISBN: 9781635926217
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 12/15/2022
Booklist 01/01/2023 pg. 52

About the Author
Chicago children's author Kate Hannigan writes fiction and nonfiction for young readers. A former newspaper journalist, she is the author of numerous children's books, including A Lady Has the Floor and Nellie vs. Elizabeth.

Sarah Green is a RISD-educated illustrator and designer from San Francisco. She is the illustrator of numerous picture books, including Fight of the Century by Barb Rosenstock and Born Hungry by Alex Prud'homme.