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.

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Stephen Aitken is a biologist, artist and author. Despite an early brush with nyctophobia (fear of the dark), he became fascinated with bioluminescence while researching a book he wrote on the dangers of light pollution. He has written and illustrated many picture books, chapter books and close to a dozen nonfiction books for middle-grade readers, and he is the author of Saving the Night and Listen Up! in the Orca Footprints series. Stephen is the cofounder and executive secretary of Biodiversity Conservancy International and is the editorial director of the science journal Biodiversity.

Stephen Aitken's profile page

• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection
• Short-listed, The Nature Generation Green Earth Book Award

“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

“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