Listen Up!: Exploring the World of Natural Sound

by Stephen Aitken

Overview

The sounds of nature are being drowned out by the clamor of human activity, and that's not good for people, animals or the environment.

Every living thing emits sound—birds sing, whales whistle, streams burble and trees pop and fizzle. In Listen Up, young readers are introduced to all the sounds of the natural world, from the first Big Bang to the complex soundscapes of the rainforests.

Readers will also discover how the invasion of human sounds, from airplanes, traffic and machines, is threatening the survival of species that have adapted to their habitats over thousands of years. Conserving the sounds of nature is an important part of addressing the biggest challenges facing humanity today—protecting the planet's biodiversity and the future of our natural world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781459827127
Publisher:	Orca Book Publishers
Publication date:	09/13/2022
Series:	Orca Footprints Series , #24
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	56
Lexile:	1110L (what's this?)
File size:	15 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Stephen Aitken is a biologist, artist and science writer. After completing an honors biology degree with a minor in fine arts and spending some time at the Carleton School of Architecture, Stephen went on to have a career as a biological illustrator, editor and writer. He has been creating his own children's books for the past 15 years. Stephen's books and articles are inspired by the wonders of the natural world. He is the co-founder and executive secretary of the charity Biodiversity Conservancy International and senior editor of the journal Biodiversity.

Table of Contents

Introduction 6

Chapter 1 A Brief History of Sound

The Big Hum 8

Sound Science 9

The Evolution of Hearing 9

There's a Drum in My Ear 11

Ear Ye! Ear Ye! Ear Ye! 12

Talking Plants? 12

Underwater Waves 13

Language: The Power of Communication 14

Capturing the Waves 14

Chapter 2 The Sounds that Surround Us

The Soundscape 16

Bioacoustics 17

Acoustic Signatures 18

Deep Listening 20

Neighborhood Watch 20

What's That Noise? 21

Natural Musicians 22

Noise Pollution in the Ocean 24

Chapter 3 Sound Health

Healing Sounds 26

Noise!!! 27

Getting Heard above the Din 28

Noise and the Developing Mind 30

Ultra and Infra Sounds 31

The Power of Sound 32

Learning from Nature 33

The Search for Silence 34

Chapter 4 Conserving Natural Sounds

The Art of Listening 36

Recording in Nature 38

Acoustic Monitoring 39

The Sound of Change 41

Expert Advice 42

Conservation of Natural Soundscapes 43

Join the Conservation Conversation 44

Resources 45

Glossary 46

Index 48

Acknowledgments 50

Editorial Reviews

An eye-opening book that will assist children in understanding the complexities of the natural world and the part they have to play in it.

Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Canadian Children’s Book News

Comprehensive insight into the impacts of noise pollution on the natural environment. Author Stephen Aitken provides clear and accessible information to prompt students to think critically about noise pollution in their own lives, how it affects their daily activities, and possible solutions to clear the airways.”

BC Books for Schools

Highly recommended for elementary school libraries as a way to learn about natural sounds and make connections to academic subjects like science and music.

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)

Engages readers by bringing together a series of interesting facts and ideas related to animal hearing…An intriguing addition to the Orca Footprints series.

Booklist

An eye-opening book that will assist children in understanding the complexities of the natural world and the part they have to play in it.

Canadian Children's Book News