Q: What is a shush-free zone? A: Kerfuffle is a shush-free zone, meaning we don't expect very young children to be quiet throughout our plays! Caregivers need not worry about their child yelling out or making noises, because all responses are welcome at a Kerfuffle show! Q: What is the pre-show coloring activity? Do we have to do it?  A: When you arrive, you'll receive a laminated library card. Audience members are invited to color whatever or whoever they think might be featured in today's stories. You can draw an object, a character, or even a location with wet erase markers. We encourage all audience members to participate in the pre-show coloring activity as the library cards play an important role later on in the show (see below).  Q: What does "participatory play" mean?  A: It means there are moments throughout the play that children are invited to verbally and physically participate in the experience. Children are asked to participate through invitations by the actors. Please note, children are never required to participate and it is perfectly acceptable for a child to stay seated on their caregiver's lap the entire duration of the performance.  The first half of Bookworms is presented like a "traditional storytime", meaning audience members are invited to sit on the floor and listen to stories. About 15 minutes into the show, two bookworms appear and invite audience members to travel "Beyond the Bookshelves" to help save the stories. A blue tunnel pops out from the set and children are invited to crawl through the tunnel. Once they have crawled through the tunnel, children are invited to help unfold a large tarp that covers the performance space's floor. Once the tarp is unfolded, audiences may sit on it.  The storyteller asks audience members for help in filling empty books with new stories. Children can add their library cards (which they color before the play starts in the lobby) to empty books. Q: What if my child doesn't want to sit still? A: Kerfuffle's work is created with the social and physical developmental needs of 3-6 year olds in mind. If your child wants to move about the space, that is absolutely fine! We ask that they remain in the audience area until the blue tunnel appears and they are invited to cross "Beyond the Bookshelves". Q: What if my child cries during the show? A: That is totally fine with us! You may soothe your child however you see fit. Crying children are by no means required to leave the room. Q: My child is two years old - can they still come see Bookworms even though it is recommended for 3-6 year olds? A: Yes, absolutely. We recognize that all children will participate and engage with the show differently, so just because your child doesn't fall within the 3-6 year old range does not mean they won't enjoy the show! Bookworms engages audience members both verbally and physically. For the first half of the show, the Storyteller asks audience members to sit and listen to stories for about 15 minutes before getting up to physically participate. Once "Beyond the Bookshelves", children work collaboratively with others to create new stories using their drawings from the pre-show. We celebrate that every child's participation and engagement level looks different. There is no one "right" way to experience a play for the very young.