Beautiful Noise - by Lisa Jean Rogers (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A picture book biography about pioneering composer, John Cage"--

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

★ "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

About the Author

Lisa Rogers is the author of 16 Words, which received two starred reviews and was called "a fine introduction to a celebrated American poet" by the New York Times. She is an elementary school librarian and a former newspaper reporter and editor. Lisa holds a master's degree in Library and Information Science and is a member of SCBWI. She lives just outside of Boston with her family.

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.