What's All That Noise?
Discover the science of sound
Will be published approx. on 10. September 2026
Book
Hardback
64 pages
978-1-5263-3043-7 (ISBN)
Description
A colourful and comedic look at how sound works and its impact on all of us - from bat squeaks to Beethoven - written by best-selling author, composer, violinist, teacher and broadcaster, Richard Mainwaring!
What's All That Noise? is packed with true stories of sounds in nature and technology, and delves into the science behind it all. From the call of the loneliest whale, to the toot of Tutankhamun's trumpet, from the specialist shape of our curly cochlea, to the perfect recipe for a smash-hit pop song (according to science!), this book is a spectacular way-in to understanding sound waves, volume, frequency, rhythm, music composition and more!
The book also features several activities and opportunities for hands-on learning and fun with sounds, plus free access to a YouTube playlist of recordings from the author to really get the sound exploration going! With stylish and timeless art from illustrator, designer and letter artist, Frieda Ruh, What's All That Noise? is the perfect package for budding scientists and musicians aged 8 and up.
Richard has also written on this topic for adults, in the best-selling Everybody Hertz: The Amazing World of Frequency, from Bad Vibes to Good Vibrations (also called What the Ear Hears (and Doesn't): Inside the Extraordinary Everyday World of Frequency in the US)
What's All That Noise? is packed with true stories of sounds in nature and technology, and delves into the science behind it all. From the call of the loneliest whale, to the toot of Tutankhamun's trumpet, from the specialist shape of our curly cochlea, to the perfect recipe for a smash-hit pop song (according to science!), this book is a spectacular way-in to understanding sound waves, volume, frequency, rhythm, music composition and more!
The book also features several activities and opportunities for hands-on learning and fun with sounds, plus free access to a YouTube playlist of recordings from the author to really get the sound exploration going! With stylish and timeless art from illustrator, designer and letter artist, Frieda Ruh, What's All That Noise? is the perfect package for budding scientists and musicians aged 8 and up.
Richard has also written on this topic for adults, in the best-selling Everybody Hertz: The Amazing World of Frequency, from Bad Vibes to Good Vibrations (also called What the Ear Hears (and Doesn't): Inside the Extraordinary Everyday World of Frequency in the US)
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Hachette Children's Group
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 8 years
Product notice
Trade binding
Dimensions
Height: 290 mm
Width: 219 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-5263-3043-7 (9781526330437)
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
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
approx. 09/2026
Wayland
€10.99
Not yet available
Persons
Richard Mainwaring (Author)
Richard Mainwaring is a musician, broadcaster, author and educator. He has composed for TV documentaries across the world, from the BBC to Central China Television. Richard wrote the first specially composed piece of music to be heard in Space, played aboard the International Space Station in 2015. As a musician, he has performed with a wide range of artists and ensembles from Hugh Laurie to Tom O'Dell, the Phantom of the Opera to legendary producer Steve Levine. Richard is an experienced broadcaster, presenting around 50 films about music on the BBC's prime-time The ONE Show, doing silly things from pushing a piano up Ben Nevis to conducting a car horn concerto! Richard's first book, Everybody Hertz, was an Amazon best-selling pop science/music book. He has been teaching music for over 30 years, and is currently Director of Expressive Arts at Monkton School in Bath, UK.
Frieda Ruh (Illustrator)
Frieda Ruh is a lettering artist and illustrator from Berlin. Whilst she studied motion design and worked as a graphic designer, she always secretly dreamed of becoming a full-time illustrator. Frieda draws whenever she can and carries her sketchbook everywhere. She loves working with bold colours in the hopes that her bright designs make grey days more colourful. These joyful creations have been used across editorial, publishing and packaging projects. When she's not working, she likes reading, playing board games, being in nature and spending time with family and friends.
Richard Mainwaring is a musician, broadcaster, author and educator. He has composed for TV documentaries across the world, from the BBC to Central China Television. Richard wrote the first specially composed piece of music to be heard in Space, played aboard the International Space Station in 2015. As a musician, he has performed with a wide range of artists and ensembles from Hugh Laurie to Tom O'Dell, the Phantom of the Opera to legendary producer Steve Levine. Richard is an experienced broadcaster, presenting around 50 films about music on the BBC's prime-time The ONE Show, doing silly things from pushing a piano up Ben Nevis to conducting a car horn concerto! Richard's first book, Everybody Hertz, was an Amazon best-selling pop science/music book. He has been teaching music for over 30 years, and is currently Director of Expressive Arts at Monkton School in Bath, UK.
Frieda Ruh (Illustrator)
Frieda Ruh is a lettering artist and illustrator from Berlin. Whilst she studied motion design and worked as a graphic designer, she always secretly dreamed of becoming a full-time illustrator. Frieda draws whenever she can and carries her sketchbook everywhere. She loves working with bold colours in the hopes that her bright designs make grey days more colourful. These joyful creations have been used across editorial, publishing and packaging projects. When she's not working, she likes reading, playing board games, being in nature and spending time with family and friends.