What's All That Noise?: Discover the science of sound

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)

• Publication date: 10 September 2026
• Page count: 64
• Dimensions: Height 290 mm; Width 223 mm; Thickness 12 mm
• Publisher: Hachette Children's Group
• Format: Hardback
• ISBN-13: 9781526330437