This all started when Marc found a flyer for the ArtsEngine Microgrant lying around the halls of the University of Michigan. Excited by the thought of an arts and engineering collaboration but with no clear ideas in mind, Marc showed the flyer to Brandon. Brandon proposed creating a children's book about their research. Having both been involved in science communication and engineering outreach with children from pre-school to high-school, Marc and Brandon knew that they had to make this happen.

Brandon and Marc tackled the ultimate challenge of how to present PhD research for eight-year old children by brainstorming possible story lines and seeking an illustrator (neither of them having any abilities in that direction whatsoever).  Erika Lazar, an artist graduated from the University of Michigan, soon joined the team as an illustrator. 

Brandon, Marc, and Erika met every week in the children's book section of the Ann Arbor Public Library to discuss their progress and develop the characters, the story, and the artwork. Brandon and Marc focused on the plot, story and science of cavitation while Erika drew the amazing art.