Sound: Shhh... Bang... POP... BOOM!

This illustrated nonfiction primer presents a compelling foray into the many aspects of sound and how it shapes the world. In often poetic language, the married team defines sound and then differentiates between music and noise. Aided by intricate digital infographics done in muted pink, teal, and yellow, the narrative surveys topics including volume, language, and deafness, aptly accompanied by a full spread illustration of the one-handed manual alphabet used in Latinate finger spelling such as American Sign Language. Though the scientific doesn’t always cohere with moments of philosophical lyricism (“Sometimes it is hard for us to understand/ one another, and then we feel lonely”) and the scope of information makes this unwieldy as a leisure read, budding acousticians will find it a worthy resource. Ages 8–12. [em](Oct.) [/em]