A Symphony of Sound
The Science Behind What We Hear
Will be published approx. on 30. July 2026
Book
Hardback
64 pages
978-1-80078-324-9 (ISBN)
Description
Delve into the captivating origins of sound in this visual feast. Sound fills our lives: we have evolved to communicate with it, we use it to create complex musical patterns of rhythm and pitch, and it evokes powerful emotional responses in us. The mysterious effects of sound on our everyday lives often go unnoticed - this book invites you to uncover those secrets.
A Symphony of Sound explores the science behind how sounds are made. It looks at how different instruments create their own unique sound, it explores the elaborate calls animals produce to communicate in the natural world, and it asks the question - what will the future sound like?
With engaging text by acoustics expert Professor Trevor Cox and vibrant, expressive artwork by Sophie Escavy Lim, this is a fresh take on a fascinating yet often overlooked subject.
A Symphony of Sound explores the science behind how sounds are made. It looks at how different instruments create their own unique sound, it explores the elaborate calls animals produce to communicate in the natural world, and it asks the question - what will the future sound like?
With engaging text by acoustics expert Professor Trevor Cox and vibrant, expressive artwork by Sophie Escavy Lim, this is a fresh take on a fascinating yet often overlooked subject.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Templar Books
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 7 years
Dimensions
Height: 300 mm
Width: 235 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-80078-324-9 (9781800783249)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Trevor Cox (Author)
Trevor Cox is Professor of Acoustic Engineering at the University of Salford and president of the Institute of Acoustics. He has presented numerous science radio documentaries and has written for the New Scientist. He is an associate editor for an international journal of acoustics, and the author of Sonic Wonderland, The Sound Book and Now You're Talking. He has appeared in features on BBC1, Teachers TV, Discovery and National Geographic channels, and as an expert in news items on a variety of television and radio channels.
He has developed and presented science shows, including appearances in London at the Royal Albert Hall, the South Bank Centre and the Royal Institution. At one stage, he held the Guinness World Record for the world's largest whoopee cushion, based on a stage prop used at the "Beautiful Music - Horrible Sounds" show. He set the Guinness World Record for the 'Longest echo' in the Inchindown oil tanks.
Sophie Escavy Lim (Illustrator)
Sophie Escavy Lim is a French illustrator based in Singapore. She creates colourful, playful illustrations that bring stories and ideas to life through bold shapes, rich textures and bright colours. She was long listed for the World Illustration Award in 2024 and 2025. Sophie is also one of the talented illustrators behind Everything Under The Sun: All Around the World by Molly Oldfield, published by Ladybird in 2025. Her visual vocabulary is full of nods to her third-culture upbringing and her time spent living across France, Asia and Australia.
Trevor Cox is Professor of Acoustic Engineering at the University of Salford and president of the Institute of Acoustics. He has presented numerous science radio documentaries and has written for the New Scientist. He is an associate editor for an international journal of acoustics, and the author of Sonic Wonderland, The Sound Book and Now You're Talking. He has appeared in features on BBC1, Teachers TV, Discovery and National Geographic channels, and as an expert in news items on a variety of television and radio channels.
He has developed and presented science shows, including appearances in London at the Royal Albert Hall, the South Bank Centre and the Royal Institution. At one stage, he held the Guinness World Record for the world's largest whoopee cushion, based on a stage prop used at the "Beautiful Music - Horrible Sounds" show. He set the Guinness World Record for the 'Longest echo' in the Inchindown oil tanks.
Sophie Escavy Lim (Illustrator)
Sophie Escavy Lim is a French illustrator based in Singapore. She creates colourful, playful illustrations that bring stories and ideas to life through bold shapes, rich textures and bright colours. She was long listed for the World Illustration Award in 2024 and 2025. Sophie is also one of the talented illustrators behind Everything Under The Sun: All Around the World by Molly Oldfield, published by Ladybird in 2025. Her visual vocabulary is full of nods to her third-culture upbringing and her time spent living across France, Asia and Australia.