Silence Sounds Simple: A Day in the Life of John Cage

by Gary Golio, Andrea D'Aquino (Illustrator)

"...a joyful evocation of [Cage's] artistic philosophy...Andrea D'Aquino's marriage of words and images is captivating."–The New York Times

★ School Library Journal, starred review
★ Booklist, starred review
★ The Horn Book, starred review

Spend a day with composer John Cage—hear what he hears, see what he sees, and get caught up in the music he weaves from his experiences. Here is a nonfiction audiobook perfect for kids ages 7–10 who love music and exploring the world of sounds around them.

John Cage is a man who makes music with screws and bolts or with rubber bands. He’ll play a toy piano onstage in his suit. Why? To make people listen. To make them think.

As John goes through an ordinary day, he finds that it’s full of wonder and full of music. John hears the seeds of music in everything from slippers scuffing on an old wooden floor and water whooshing from a faucet to beeping horns and screeching brakes outside. He even hears music in the silence of the forest as he harvests mushrooms.

Author Gary Golio’s poetic text remind kids to “open your ears / open your mind… YOU ARE / the music / the noise / the silence.”

Genres: Picture Books, Music, Biography, Nonfiction, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published July 7, 2026

About the author

Gary Golio is the author of several best-selling and award-winning musical picture-book biographies, including Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow, When Bob Met Woody, and Spirit Seeker: John Coltrane’s Musical Journey. Gary Golio lives in Hudson Valley, New York.

Reviews

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This quirky picture book biography suits the subject well. Instead of offering a standard recounting of facts about John Cage's life, the author uses poetry to convey Cage's passion for experiencing sound in all of its forms. The book gives specific examples of things Cage did and experienced, and it also offers a poetic celebration of thinking outside the box and attuning to all types of noises. The illustrations fit the style of the book, and the author's note at the end includes more biographical information about John Cage, his beliefs, and his accomplishments.

This unconventional book may be too abstract and confusing for very young readers, especially because of the minimalist writing style. However, this will be a great fit for school-age students who are learning about music or mindfulness. This book will also appeal to adults who are intrigued by Cage's work.

People who enjoyed this may also enjoy Nothing: John Cage and 4'33" , by Nicholas Day.

I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Laura Roettiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Musical language and poetic forms merge with art that I think would similarly have pleased John Cage in its eclectic nature. This book combines a bit of philosophy and musicology in addition to information about John Cage.
Author Gary Golio offers bite-sized, thought provoking bon mots about sound and the variety of ways John Cage thought about 'music' in all its forms. These are matched on spreads with illustrations that are sometimes discordant and by that I mean completely perfect for what the book is meant to convey. Illustrator Andrea D'Aquino's color palette of golds, purples, greens, and browns offers readers a lot to explore and come back to when rereading.
Written for an older picture book audience, I would recommend this book could be used as a browsable where you dip in to different spreads and make them a springboard for discussion or a class writing prompt. Comparing Silence and Sound, how do you judge one against the other?
One suggestion: The book would have benefited from back matter of musical terms for a non-musician reader. Recommend for home, classroom, and library use.

[Cheryl Gladfelter · Rating 5 out of 5]

"There is no such thing as an empty space or an empty time, there is always something to see, something to hear." This book is written as a music piece, and takes the reader through the sounds he'd experience in his apartment, street, or woods, and the idea of what is music versus noise, and what is silence. He wanted to know the sound mushroom spores make as they drop, and it was fun seeing the information in the back matter of being able to hear that.

The illustrations follow a tight color palette, and I really liked them. One issue with the book that I didn't notice until the end Coda, was that it was written as a music piece. I then reread it and could see the words that designated each piece, though I think due to the colors it just became part of the illustrations too much and I didn't realize it. Very thoughtful and I liked the way the book was composed (pun intended), just maybe needed to stand out more.

[Eunice R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Musically themed illustrations dance across the pages of this children's book. I believe young readers will be drawn to it and curiosity will lead them through.

The book is based on the life of John Cage explaining his own unique way of 'hearing' silence and enabling audiences to 'hear' it too. In my opinion, it has some intrigue.

At book's end a reader will be treated to an interesing and brief biography of John Cage's life.

~ Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger ~

March 2026

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimetnary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

[Deborah]

"Silence/or is it?"

How does one begin to write about John Cage? Delightful poetry, art, design are all in sync here, coming as close to representing Cage as I can imagine. The book illustrates for kids wide-open possibility and boundless imagination, and includes backmatter for detail, elucidation, sources (“John trusted his audience, rather than telling them how to think and feel…”). I’ll definitely be purchasing this one for my own shelves.

"sounds within silence/silence in noise/music in both/life within all/everything/ needs/ the otherthing/ to give it life…"

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't the first picture book biography I think I've seen of John Cage, and this is less informative than some. However, the text is interesting and fits it's subject well. While preschoolers might be a bit confused, early music students will appreciate Cage's creativity and young readers may also learn to listen to all the sounds around them.

[Allison Haehnel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This unusual presentation of form and illustration introduced me to the uniquely interesting composer John Cage. Without some understanding of music or conformism, the individuality of John Cage will most likely be missed by readers. However, if listening to some of his compositions before or after, readers may love it. Best for elementary of all ages.

[Laurel Zeisler · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting book. It's one that you can go back and reread and find things that were missed. There were unique illustrations to go with the poetic text. I would recommend this book for a lesson on famous people, music, and even art.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautifully-illustrated book, if a bit too abstract for the children it is aimed at, I think. The poetic writing and abstraction is not dissimilar from Cage's works, and will be similarly divisive in reception, I imagine.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

[Danielle Mccoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

This book tells the story of John Cage and how he looked at the world of music from a different perspective. I think this book was a little confusing but well intentioned. I learned a lot from the information in the back.

[doowopapocalypse · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very prettily laid out book. I could see that the structure of the text might confuse young readers, but its an enjoyable and positive read.

[Katherine Pogatshnik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent, elementary, introduction to a totally unique style of "music" and composer.

[Shoshanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

An abstract and experimental picture book about an abstract and experimental musician.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice design. "Story" reads like beat poetry-not enough context. Good back matter.

[Rebecca]

Very poetic and unique, kind of like John Cage. I learned more about him than I knew before.