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Beautiful Noise

The Music of John Cage

Illustrated by Il Sung Na
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Hardcover
$18.99 US
8.38"W x 10.25"H x 0.42"D   | 14 oz | 24 per carton
On sale Oct 10, 2023 | 40 Pages | 9780593646625
Age 4-8 years | Preschool - 3
Reading Level: Lexile AD1040L | Fountas & Pinnell O
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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.
★ "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
LISA ROGERS writes children's books from the shores of a pond outside of Boston, Massachusetts (and sometimes from on the pond itself, where she kayaks almost every day in summer). She lives with her husband, daughter, and many pets. View titles by Lisa Rogers
Il Sung Na is the author-illustrator of many books for children, including A Book of Sleep; Bird, Balloon, Bear; That's My Carrot, and A Book of Babies, all of which received at least one starred review. The New York Times has praised that Il Sung "brings fresh energy to the familiar." Originally from South Korea, Il Sung studied illustration at Kingston University in London, and now lives in Kansas City with his wife, where he spends time teaching illustration courses at the Kansas City Art Institute. View titles by Il Sung Na

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.)

Photos

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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.

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

Author

LISA ROGERS writes children's books from the shores of a pond outside of Boston, Massachusetts (and sometimes from on the pond itself, where she kayaks almost every day in summer). She lives with her husband, daughter, and many pets. View titles by Lisa Rogers
Il Sung Na is the author-illustrator of many books for children, including A Book of Sleep; Bird, Balloon, Bear; That's My Carrot, and A Book of Babies, all of which received at least one starred review. The New York Times has praised that Il Sung "brings fresh energy to the familiar." Originally from South Korea, Il Sung studied illustration at Kingston University in London, and now lives in Kansas City with his wife, where he spends time teaching illustration courses at the Kansas City Art Institute. View titles by Il Sung Na

Additional Materials

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.)

Beautiful Noise

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

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