One day in 1952, a pianist walked into a barn. (Yes, you read that right). He sat down at a piano (because the barn was also a concert hall), and for the next 4 minutes and 33 seconds, he played “Nothing.” No, not nothing, “Nothing,” a new work by a composer named John Cage that was 4 minutes and 33 seconds of silence. But it turns out silence isn’t really silent. The piano made no sound, but in the concert hall audience members cleared their throats or shifted in their seats; from outside there was the sound of rain pattering, and wind blowing in trees. “John Cage wanted to write a piece in which people would hear how much something there is in nothing.” That first audience found it unsettling, infuriating, but over time, “Nothing” has become a classic, performed before huge crowds and small gatherings alike. “And every time, the audience hears something different.” This whimsical picture book about the singular genius of John Cage and his composition “Nothing” is an inspired delight, with playful mixed-media illustrations and spirited book design adding to the pleasure.