Can You Get Music on the Moon?

This is an in-depth but accessible book all about sound that would be great for Key Stage two aged readers.

It explores the basics of sound and hearing to begin with, including how sound waves work, how we measure sound and how the human ear works. The latter includes a section on changes in hearing and how hearing devices such as cochlear implants work which was great to see.

The following chapters include topics such as sound and technology where the reader is invited to explore the history of sound through technology such as telephones and radios. Scattered throughout the book are easy activities such as making your own string telephone using everyday household items as found in this section.

There’s also a section on sound and music where take a journey back in time to see how musical instruments have developed over time and the different ways we have recorded music through the years. Alongside the curriculum-linked content, it’s also pleasing to see sections on less tangible subjects like why music makes us feel good and how it affects memory, giving the reader an interesting but also useful look into all aspects of sound.

Further chapters include exploring animal sounds, where you can find out if mice really are as quiet as the saying suggestions; sounds caused by the earth, like how mountains can sing; the oceans and how sea creatures communicate through water; and finally, space and answering the title question of whether you can get music in space. I’m not going to tell you the answer of course- you’ll have to read it for yourself!

If you’re looking for a more comprehensive and detailed book on sound to support curriculum study or encourage able readers to delve deeper into a topic, then this book comes highly recommended. It’s packed full of information, it’s bright and colourful in its design and it’ll keep readers busy for hours.