Beautiful Noise

The Music of John Cage

Illustrated by Il Sung Na
Look inside
$18.99 US
RH Childrens Books | Anne Schwartz Books
24 per carton
On sale Oct 10, 2023 | 978-0-593-64662-5
Age 4-8 years
Reading Level: Lexile AD1040L | Fountas & Pinnell O
Sales rights: World
Open this unique picture book and meet John Cage, the pioneering, inspiring composer who believed all sound—from the crash of a slamming door to the whirr of a blender to the whoosh of the wind—was music.

For John Cage, music was everywhere: in the hum of the refrigerator, the screech of a garbage truck, the patter of the rain. But other people disagreed. They felt that, surely, a pianist on stage must actually play their piano to create music...not just sit there. And in no way was it melodic to turn a musician's mic on and off as they do play their instruments--it was just chaos!

John Cage found sound in silence, and knew that all noises were unique. All you had to do was listen to hear it.

Told in second person and paired with exciting illustrations as innovative as Cage's music, here is a picture book--perfect for any budding musician--that celebrates the genius of a nonconforming musician who always stayed true to his artistic vision.
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★ "A good introduction to Cage and a reminder that hearing things differently can be a very good thing." —Booklist, starred review

★ “Onomatopoeic lines create a sense of Cage’s unconventional music…and underscore his determination to explore sound despite criticism.”
Publishers Weekly, starred review 
 
★ “Readers will likely be curious to experiment themselves and ‘be like John Cage…” —The Horn Book, starred review

"A great introduction to a composer who was a disruptor and pioneer; this is a solid addition to school libraries and music departments." —School Library Journal

Classroom Activities for Beautiful Noise

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

About

Open this unique picture book and meet John Cage, the pioneering, inspiring composer who believed all sound—from the crash of a slamming door to the whirr of a blender to the whoosh of the wind—was music.

For John Cage, music was everywhere: in the hum of the refrigerator, the screech of a garbage truck, the patter of the rain. But other people disagreed. They felt that, surely, a pianist on stage must actually play their piano to create music...not just sit there. And in no way was it melodic to turn a musician's mic on and off as they do play their instruments--it was just chaos!

John Cage found sound in silence, and knew that all noises were unique. All you had to do was listen to hear it.

Told in second person and paired with exciting illustrations as innovative as Cage's music, here is a picture book--perfect for any budding musician--that celebrates the genius of a nonconforming musician who always stayed true to his artistic vision.

Photos

additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo

Praise

★ "A good introduction to Cage and a reminder that hearing things differently can be a very good thing." —Booklist, starred review

★ “Onomatopoeic lines create a sense of Cage’s unconventional music…and underscore his determination to explore sound despite criticism.”
Publishers Weekly, starred review 
 
★ “Readers will likely be curious to experiment themselves and ‘be like John Cage…” —The Horn Book, starred review

"A great introduction to a composer who was a disruptor and pioneer; this is a solid addition to school libraries and music departments." —School Library Journal

Guides

Classroom Activities for Beautiful Noise

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)