It's summertime and what better way to make one's own “splash” than to create the perfect cannonball at a local pool? Such is the dream of this unnamed child narrator. However, first he has to tune out the community's well-intentioned suggestions and muster up the courage to take a leap of faith. Influenced by his wise Nan's advice to “listen to your heart, to your mind, to the pull that's inside. Do it your way,” he creates his own ritual, jumps, and creates the perfect cannonball that makes him “the bomb.”

USBBY Outstanding International Books 2021. Margaret Mahy Book of the Year-Supreme Winner. Winner NZ Book Awards for Children & Young Adults Picture Book Award Winner 2019. Storylines Notable Book Award 2019-Picture Book. IBBY Honour List 2020.

Born in Manawatu, New Zealand and currently based in Wellington, New Zealand, the illustrator is of Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki and Rongowhatkaata descent.

English. Originally published in English as The Bomb by Huia Press in 2018. Published in the United States by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, an imprint of Sourcebooks Kids in 2020.

A summer tale about family, overcoming fears, and the importance of being oneself, all in the pursuit of performing the perfect cannonball

I'm ready to pull off the perfect cannonball, but everyone has advice.

"You need more weight"

"Bigger shorts!"

"More muscles!"

"BIGGER SHORTS!"

As one boy searches for the secret to executing the perfect cannonball, it's only by listening to his own voice that he finds his unique style and pulls off a truly awe-inspiring CANNONBALL.

A celebration of native culture, a glossary including Maori words is included.