Kevin Cordi brings joy and storytelling to teaching. At a time when education has been reduced to bits of inert knowledge in pursuit of stolid standards, Kevin Cordi places play and narrative at the center of what could be educational experiences that excite students and teachers and make learning both fun and lifelong. Dr. David Bloome, The Ohio State University Professor and Former President of the National Council Teachers of English Kevin Cordi lives in the world of story and invites us all --teachers, students, writers--to enter that world with him. Through play, imagination, and his story box project, he leads us to the traditional world of story....and beyond to the world of story we create.>Robin Holland, author of Deeper Writing, Corwin Press Having participated in Kevin Cordi's workshops as both a parent and a teacher, I can attest to his unique capabilities as a storyteller and the limitless possibilities that he opens up through play. He moves seamlessly from directing a dozen students in an ever-evolving fairy tale to helping teachers write -- and enact -- their own stories. Cordi's Permission 2 Play reminds us that creativity, expression, and listening are more important now, in this age of standards and testing, than ever before. --Dr. Troy Hicks, author of Crafting Digital Writing: Composing Texts Across Media and Genres Kevin Cordi knows the power of imagination, having coached the wonderfully messy work of shaping story with others for decades. If you let it, this book will lure you to new places as teacher and artist. Marni Gillard, author Storyteller, Storyteacher "The work of children is Play!" Kevin Cordi has incorporated this concept into his professional work to a fantastic degree. He integrates this tool of Story/Play into a seamless flow that teaches even adults to not be so serious and use this ancient art-form in the 21rst century." Bobby Norfolk, Emmy Award-winning Storyteller