Esquivel! Space-Age Sound Artist / Nothing: John Cage and 4’33

Yoto Says: These two stories will get kids listening in a whole new way—from a concert with no notes to music that sounds like it came from outer space. A perfect pick for curious ears and big imaginations.

Discover two groundbreaking stories that celebrate the power of sound, silence, and musical imagination.

Nothing introduces young listeners to composer John Cage and his bold piece 4’33”—a composition with no notes, performed by master pianist David Tudor in 1952. Set in a barnlike concert hall called the Maverick, this performance invited audiences to “hear how much sound there is in silence.” Winner of the 2025 Audie Award for Young Listeners, this story explores how a silent piece forever changed how we listen.

Esquivel! Space-Age Sound Artist tells the story of Juan García Esquivel, a musical innovator whose name and lounge music lit up the 1950s and 60s. This magical production, honored with an ALA Odyssey Award, brings to life the energy and creativity of an artist who redefined sound in his own time. Together, these two stories offer a unique introduction to the surprising ways music can challenge expectations—and expand what we think sound can be.