Beautiful Noise

By Emanuel Berger | June 21 2023 | Children's

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 nonconfirming musician who always stayed true to his artistic vision.

Enjoy this Activity Sheet

Beautiful Noise
The Music of John Cage
978-0-593-64662-5
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.
$18.99 US
Oct 10, 2023
8 x 10
Hardcover
40 Pages
Anne Schwartz Books
Age 4-8 years

16 Words
William Carlos Williams and "The Red Wheelbarrow"
978-1-5247-2016-2
This simple nonfiction picture book about the beloved American poet William Carlos Williams is also about how being mindful can result in the creation of a great poem like "The Red Wheelbarrow"--which is only sixteen words long.
$17.99 US
Sep 24, 2019
10-1/2 x 9
Hardcover
40 Pages
Schwartz & Wade
Age 4-8 years

A Book of Sleep
978-0-375-86618-0
Hailed as "one of the sweetest and most original of the new nighttime picture books" (The Boston Globe), this stunning, lyrical bedtime offering is now available in a board book edition.
$6.99 US
Jan 11, 2011
5-7/8 x 5-7/8
Board Book
24 Pages
Knopf Books for Young Readers
Age 0-3 years

Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons
978-0-307-97790-8
Now available in a board book edition: follow the rabbit as he watches all the animals brave the winter and welcome spring!
$7.99 US
Jan 22, 2013
5-7/8 x 5-7/8
Board Book
24 Pages
Knopf Books for Young Readers
Age 0-3 years

A Book of Babies
978-0-553-50779-9
Now available in a board book edition: Nothing says springtime like a charming book about baby animals!
$7.99 US
Feb 10, 2015
5-7/8 x 5-7/8
Board Book
24 Pages
Knopf Books for Young Readers
Age 0-3 years

Welcome Home, Bear
A Book of Animal Habitats
978-0-385-75375-3
Follow Bear as he visits animal habitats around the world--and comes to appreciate his own home--in this new offering from the creator of A Book of Sleep and A Book of Babies.
$16.99 US
Jul 07, 2015
10 x 10
Hardcover
32 Pages
Knopf Books for Young Readers
Age 0-3 years

That's My Carrot
978-0-399-55158-1
From the acclaimed author-illustrator of A Book of Sleep comes a silly tale about a garden rivalry, a giant carrot and bunnies in construction vehicles!
$17.99 US
May 12, 2020
8 x 10
Hardcover
40 Pages
Knopf Books for Young Readers
Age 2-5 years

Nina
A Story of Nina Simone
978-1-5247-3728-3
A 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Award Honoree!This luminous, defining picture book biography illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Christian Robinson, tells the remarkable and inspiring story of acclaimed singer Nina Simone and her bold, defiant, and exultant legacy.
$18.99 US
Sep 28, 2021
8-1/2 x 10-1/2
Hardcover
56 Pages
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Age 4-8 years

Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing
978-0-525-42819-0
A picture book celebrating the life and art of iconic pop artist Keith Haring, as told by his sister Kay.
$18.99 US
Feb 14, 2017
9 x 11
Hardcover
40 Pages
Dial Books
Age 5-8 years

Marley and the Family Band 
978-0-593-30111-1
A picture book that celebrates music, love, and family from author Cedella Marley. A poetic story about a young girl who moves to a new country and learns to make friends—inspired by a childhood growing up with the musician Bob Marley as a father.
$17.99 US
Feb 01, 2022
9-1/2 x 10-1/2
Hardcover
40 Pages
Random House Books for Young Readers
Age 4-8 years

A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin
978-0-375-86712-5
A stunning picture-book biography of African American painter Horace Pippin from a Caldecott Honor-winning team.
$18.99 US
Jan 08, 2013
8-1/2 x 11
Hardcover
40 Pages
Knopf Books for Young Readers
Age 5-8 years

The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky's Abstract Art
978-0-307-97848-6
A vibrant picture-book biography of abstract painter Wassily Kandinsky.
$18.99 US
Feb 11, 2014
8-1/2 x 11
Hardcover
40 Pages
Knopf Books for Young Readers
Age 4-8 years

Imagine That!
How Dr. Seuss Wrote The Cat in the Hat
978-0-553-51097-3
A lively new picture book biography of the most beloved children's book author of all time...from powerhouse team Judy Sierra and Kevin Hawkes!
$17.99 US
Sep 12, 2017
8-1/2 x 11
Hardcover
48 Pages
Random House Books for Young Readers
Age 3-7 years