Book Launch: Uncovering the Science of Sound with Illustrator Sophie Escavy Lim
Sound fills our lives. We use it to communicate, shape it into complex musical patterns of rhythm and pitch, and feel its powerful emotional pull daily. Yet, the mysterious ways sound behaves often go completely unnoticed.
An exciting new book is about to change that—inviting readers on a visually extraordinary journey into how we experience the world through our ears.
Releasing on July 30th from Bonnier Books UK (under their Big Picture Press imprint), A Symphony of Sound: The Science Behind What We Hear is a stunning collaboration between world-renowned acoustics expert Professor Trevor Cox and talented French illustrator Sophie Escavy Lim.
A Visual Feast for the Ears
How do instruments create their unique tones? How do animals use elaborate, hidden calls to communicate across vast natural habitats? What will our world sound like in the future?
Professor Trevor Cox’s engaging, accessible text answers these questions, while Sophie Escavy Lim’s vibrant, expressive artwork brings the unseen physics of sound to life. Rather than dry diagrams, Sophie’s illustrations turn sound waves, resonance, and pitches into a colorful, sensory landscape. It’s a fresh, playful take on a fascinating science that is too often overlooked.
Mark Your Calendars!
A Symphony of Sound: The Science Behind What We Hear officially hits shelves on July 30th. It is the perfect addition to classroom libraries, family bookshelves, and the collection of anyone curious about the secret rhythms of our everyday lives.
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Written by: Professor Trevor Cox
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Illustrated by: Sophie Escavy Lim
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Publisher: Bonnier Books UK (Big Picture Press)
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Release Date: July 30, 2026
Available for purchase here: A Symphony of Sound
Meet the Illustrator: Sophie Escavy Lim
Currently based in Singapore, French illustrator Sophie Escavy Lim is known for her playful use of bold shapes, rich textures, and bright, joyful colors.
Sophie’s unique “visual vocabulary” is deeply influenced by her third-culture upbringing, reflecting years spent living across France, Asia, and Australia. Her ability to translate complex themes into friendly, universally accessible imagery has quickly made her a rising star in the international illustration scene:
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Award Recognition: Longlisted for the prestigious World Illustration Awards in both 2024 and 2025.
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Publishing Pedigree: She was also one of the brilliant creative minds behind the 2025 Ladybird title Everything Under The Sun: All Around the World by Molly Oldfield.
In A Symphony of Sound, Sophie’s signature style shines, transforming scientific concepts into a stunning “visual symphony” that young minds and design lovers alike will want to pore over.
