Sounds All Around: The Science of How Sound Works

Sounds All Around: The Science of How Sound Works

Sounds All Around: The Science of How Sound Works

Illustrated by Ellen Rooney, 2021

A comprehensive exploration of sound for young children that's friendly, fun and easy to digest. From a cat's purr to a thunderstorm's clap, from a friend's voice to a school bell's clang, sounds can lull us, entice us or call us to action. But how does sound happen? How do we hear it? What makes some sounds loud and some soft? Some high pitched and some low pitched? How do humans and animals use sound to communicate? Which sounds happen naturally, and which are created for a specific purpose? This charming picture book explores all of these questions in child-friendly language, offering readers a gentle introduction to how sound works that will encourage them to stop and listen. 

In this highly original book, Susan Hughes uses appealing and inviting text that speaks directly to young children to explain the physics of sound. From describing how sounds are made by the vibrations of air, to identifying and considering the different sources of sound and its properties (pitch, tone, volume), this book is an excellent curriculum-based tool for physical science that strongly supports the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for kindergarten and first grade. Ellen Rooney's sweet, playful illustrations colorfully illuminate the concepts, incorporating the same character and his dog on every spread. Easy-to-understand decibel and hertz charts are included. There is also a fun activity and a glossary.

Published by Kids Can

ISBN-10 : 1525302507; ISBN-13 : 978-1525302503

What the Reviewers Say

"Curious young readers are going to enjoy sharing this with their adults.” — CM Magazine

“This is a perfect text for youngsters who are curious about the physics of sound, or as a companion text to a unit in a classroom.” — Youth Services Book Review

“The simple, almost poetic language used alongside questions and provocations will capture the curiosity in the hearts of children, making it a fun and interactive read-aloud… This book is a unique and welcome addition to school and library book collections …” — Canadian Children’s Book News

“… informative, enjoyable and instructional.” — Sal’s Fiction Addiction

Awards & Nominations

Delaware Diamonds nominee K-2, 2022-2023