Recommended Music

The first review for my children’s book, The Science of Song, is in!

Come September 7, the children’s book on music and technology I co-authored will be in stores. The first review is in, too. Kirkus–a very important review site–can be very snarky with their opinions. However

THE SCIENCE OF SONG 
How and Why We Make Music
Author: Alan Cross
Author: Emme Cross
Author: Nicole Mortillaro
Illustrator: Carl Wiens

Review Issue Date: September 1, 2021
Online Publish Date: August 11, 2021
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Pages: 48
Price ( Hardcover ): $17.99
Publication Date: September 7, 2021
ISBN ( Hardcover ): 978-1-77138-787-3
Section: Children’s

Technology, science, culture, and art collide in this friendly introduction to the way humans make and experience music. 

Nowadays people have instant access to millions of songs thanks to streaming services, but that could never have been made possible without the technological advances in music-making and listening that have taken place over thousands of years. This eye-catching introduction provides a chronological evolution of music and technology interspersed with explorations of neurological, psychological, and physiological responses to music. The book wraps up with a few pages devoted to pondering the impact of future technological advances on the way people (and robots!) make, listen to, and interact with music. Each double-page spread tackles a different topic, presenting easy-to-digest chunks of information and fun facts supported by clean visuals. Some pages feature diagrams that show how technology works, such as how a CD stores binary code that is translated into sound, while others include pictures of famous musicians, singers, or composers. Finally, each section includes a playlist with a trio of songs to seek out for further exploration. Inspired by a museum exhibit made by the book’s creators, this book is best read from cover to cover, rather than browsed, due to the way each section builds upon the last. 

Engaging and relevant, this attractively designed book will inspire further exploration. (timeline, glossary, selected sources, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)

You can pre-order the book here and here.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 39568 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

One thought on “The first review for my children’s book, The Science of Song, is in!

  • Thank you for the article. For me, such a book is Atlas Shrugged, which completely changed my life. I wrote an article about this for where I decided to motivate people not to be afraid of change. I hope this helps someone to accept themselves.

    Reply

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