So yesterday Jason and I spent some time in the Story Room practicing telling I Am Invited to a Party by Mo Willems with this swell new felt board I made. During the two months I was working on this particular felt board, I often wondered if it would work and if we’d use it enough to justify my time and effort.

I didn’t have to wait long for an answer.

When we were practicing, even though we were all rough and halting and laughing, kids started wandering toward the room. Some came in and listened to us tell the story multiple times in a row. More listened outside the window. When we were done and walked out of the Story Room, several adults applauded.

This tells me that this felt board is going to be a hit.

It reminds me that a story doesn’t have to be perfect to be entertaining.

And it teaches me that Jason and I are really, really loud.