What does nothing sound like? An offbeat history of John Cage’s 4’33”, a musical composition of blank bars.

One night in 1952, master pianist David Tudor took the stage in a barnlike concert hall called the Maverick. A packed audience waited with bated breath for him to start playing. Little did they know that the performance had already begun.

A rain patters.

A tree rustles.

An audience stirs.

David was performing John Cage’s 4’33”, whose purpose is to amplify the ambient sounds of whatever venue it inhabits. That shocking first performance earned 4’33” plenty of haters; and yet the piece endures, “performed” by the smallest garage bands and the grandest symphonies alike, year after year. Its fans hear what John Cage hoped we would hear: “Nothing” is never silent, and you don’t need a creative genius, a concert hall, or even a piano to hear something worthwhile. All you have to do is stop and listen.

Nicholas Day’s text is reverent with a healthy drop of humor, warm and refined. Guaranteed to spark generative thought and lively debate among listeners of all ages, Nothing is not to be missed.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Named to the Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List

One of Evanston Public Library's 101 Great Books for Kids

A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year

Starred Review BOOKLIST "Cage's groundbreaking composition is a big concept for youngsters to wrap their minds around and an unexpected topic for a picture book. But Live Oak's readalong offers a blend of vivid art on the page and a soundscape that connects the listener to both the book and their own personal environment. ... An essential listen for musically thoughtful kids and adults who still wonder how a blank page can be music."