The Science of Song: How and Why We Make Music

by Alan Cross, Emme Cross, Nicole Mortillaro

What is music? How is it made? And what’s changed — and what hasn’t — about how we listen to it? Here’s all the best stuff about the science and history behind our connection to music. Though most of us know we love listening to music, we may not spend much time thinking about how this came to be, or the science, technology, engineering and mathematics that are crucial to its existence. This illustrated book explores all of this, starting with the basics — how does sound work? and what, exactly, is music? — and then describes how music and the ways we experience it have transformed over the years. It details the progression of recorded music, from the phonograph to streaming. It covers how everyday items like headphones were created, and includes a look at the science of how we experience music (like why we can’t get certain songs out of our heads). And, to amp up the interest, playlists accompany each topic, featuring a range of artists and multiple genres and styles. Alan Cross, Emme Cross and Nicole Mortillaro — a creative team of well-known journalists and writers from television, radio and print — have created an engaging, accessible and relevant look at music geared to adolescents who are just beginning to get interested in the subject. It’s a fascinating blend of history and science, broken into readable chunks, with graphic, colorful illustrations by Carl Wiens to enhance the text. This book has strong cross-curriculum links to physical science, engineering, technology, music and history. The playlists on every spread can be used to spark discussions as children “listen along.” Includes a timeline, glossary, resources and index.

Genres: Nonfiction, Music, Science, Canada, Middle Grade

48 pages, Hardcover

Published September 7, 2021

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

A nonfiction book for children and music lovers of any age, "The Science of Song" talks about how music is made, how we hear it, how our musical preferences are formed, and so much more!

I requested this book as a music teacher looking for something to appeal to my students. Though I have not been able to implement it in my lessons just yet, this book is full of easy to understand information that I think kids would love. One of the best parts is how each section has an accompanying playlist, so there are multiple examples to help deliver the message. This is so fun, and could be a great addition to a variety of lessons!

[Wunderdrugged · Rating 4 out of 5]

This title is nominated for the 2023 Hackmatack Award in the English non-fiction category. The title of the book is pretty self explanatory, beginning with the first evidence of music making from 40,000 years ago, through the evolution of recorded music, and speculating about the future of music (biometrics perhaps?). This book is a delightful example of cross-curricular learning, basically a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) mash-up. A great entry point for discussing scientific concepts with a kid who leans more 'artsy', or a way to get a real science-y kid to explore their more creative side.
This book is recommended reading for everyone, late elementary and up.

[Gary Braid · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun little read from one of my all time favourite journalists! A well worth read.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This non fiction book is a topical look at humans’ efforts to make and share music. Each of the short chapters talks about an aspect of music production, from how our hearing works, to making music over the millennia and how we have shared it. The latter part traces the growth of capturing sound, from gramophones and phonographs, to understanding mono vs stereo, and on through records, cassettes, CDs and digital files. Yes, even 8-tracks get a mention! Language is clear, and vocabulary words are in bold and are defined in a glossary.

I like that each chapter includes a playlist from the era in discussion, featuring three important pieces of music which characterize it. Fun, fresh digital art shows diverse artists and people using devices. There are timelines and detailed representations of equipment, as well as silly images, such as a robot playing a guitar in the chapter on “Artificial Music.”

The book has a timeline, glossary, selected sources and an index, so it can be useful for kids looking for a topic to research for a project.

My quibble: I don’t think the title is quite accurate – I expected a book on the science of sound itself, and how music has evolved. There is little talk of the human side of music making.

[joyce w. laudon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This accessible title for kids is a fine survey on many aspects of music’s production from its beginnings over 40,000 years ago to today. Ways in which music has evolved includes everything from the materials used to make instruments, to how we listen. For example, in the past, one had to be physically present to hear music. This evolved over time to radio, records and life now where any musical piece can be located through one’s computer or other device like an ipad. This evolution is the subject of much of this short title.

Understand more about why you like certain music. Find out the name and story of the “Man” who “changed music forever.” There are short playslists included as well as a timeline and glossary.

This book provides an intriguing, easy way for children to understand more about music’s evolution over time.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good, if light, look at the science and history of music, for the upper end of primary school audiences. We go back to prehistory and the first singing and instruments other than parts of the human body, before coming quickly up to date to cover the history of recorded music formats, alongside some of the psychology over what musical tastes we have and how we respond to muzak in shops, etc. Suitably dynamic pages are still easily readable, and the level of detail and complexity is fine for the target audience, so I can see this having an easy route to success. I'm not sure the playlist suggestions were exactly relevant a lot of the time, though.

[Amanda Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very thorough nonfiction book about music. I think it would do well in any elementary or middle school. The history begins 40,000 years ago and the book goes on to suggest the future of music. There are playlists on every page--3 suggested songs. They are mostly appropriate to the topic and music era on the page. The authors missed their chance to put "Sad Songs Say So Much" next to the tidbit about how sad music makes you feel better. The descriptions of how each musical device works are technical and over my head. I don't know that there is a way to simply explain how we ever got music out of plastic and tape. The technical jargon is the only way to explain it.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it! This book explores the history of music and the studies that have taught us about it's influence. I loved the interesting facts- there were so many things I didn't know or hadn't thought about. The tone is humorous and upbeat and keeps it interesting throughout, informational without becoming textbook-y. The "playlist" was a great addition too, giving you a taste of many different songs. A great informational book for exploring music without going into weighty music theory matters.

Thanks NetGalley 👍

[Danielle Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful non-fiction read about the evolution of music and how we have consumed it throughout history. Each chapter builds on the previous with new inventions, explaining past technologies to young readers. Additionally, each section contains a 3 song Playlist that shows popular songs from years past. It was interesting getting to see how much music has evolved over the years.


Thank you to Netgalley for the free advanced copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered where music first came from or where it's going in the future? Dive into the science and history of song, exploring how we hear music, various music formats, and more. With lots of pictures and graphics, each 2-page "chapter" also provides a 3-song playlist to enhance your reading experience. This book is best for kids in grades 3-7 interested in music, science, and history.

[Emilee (emileereadsbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Kids Can Press for a free digital copy.

Explaining science and history of sound and music, this mixed styled illustrated book takes you on a journey to understand what makes you want to snap your fingers, bob your head and swing your hips.

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief history of song from prehistoric man to modern day, complete with illustrations and a three-song playlist for every section. It is such a fun book for all ages and I learned a lot reading through the pages of this book.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief overview of how humans hear, earliest known instruments, the rise of radio, LPs, CDs, MP3s, streaming services, and the future of AI music. The best feature of this book is the playlist in each chapter encouraging readers to sample different styles of music through the ages.

[Randy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn't listen to music at some point? Since most of just do, this book explores the origins of music and how it has developed over time. It even has listening suggestions to augment each section. What fun!

[Children's Literature Centre at FSU · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative to teach children about how music is made and how we hear music. The illustrations are interesting and go along well with the text. A table of contents is included to organize the sections of information.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[BiblioBrandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful middle grade book chronicling the history and science of music. I learned a lot and know some students who are really going to enjoy it.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great overview for kids of all things music from start to today.

[Elaine Bearden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gr 3-6
Very interesting and clearly written. Lots in how we make music. Would have liked more on why.

Kids Can Press, 2021