In this delightful picture book, celebrated author Marilyn Baillie adroitly combines children’s love of playing in water with their fascination for learning about animals. Baillie, the former editor of chickaDEE magazine, once taught science at Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum, and knows how to present information about nature in a way that is immediately appealing to young readers.

The 11 creatures featured in the book introduce themselves through their actions – an orca spraying water through its blowhole, a hermit crab settling into an empty shell – as well as associated sounds (“WHEE!” says the sliding penguin). Even the animal names are part of the fun, as we meet the great blue heron and tasselled wobbegong shark.

Baillie’s admirable text is enhanced by the lively watercolour illustrations of Susan Mitchell, which express the joy of motion and the varied forms and moods of water. Bubbles, waves, ice floes, or reflections in a tranquil pond are all charmingly rendered being enjoyed by both animals and children.

Whoosh! encourages response and participation. The last page suggests ways to imitate the movements of animals from the book: “Scrunch way down and scuttle sideways like a….” By showing thumbnail pictures of the creatures, the author invites the child to call out the appropriate name. A double-page “Did You Know?” section gives information about each animal.

“Water is precious … to all living things!” says Baillie near the end of the book, while Mitchell’s illustrations provide hints for answering the question that follows: “Can you think of ways that you use water?” Without solemnity, this engaging picture book draws attention to the value of something we tend to take too much for granted.