Cyrisse Jaffee

October Short Fuses — Materia Critica

October 1, 2023
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Each month, our arts critics — music, book, theater, dance, television, film, and visual arts — fire off a few brief reviews.

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Children’s Book Feature: How to Say Hello to Local Author-Illustrator Kari Percival

April 9, 2023
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Kari Percival’s greatest thrill? Reading How to Say Hello to a Worm aloud to kids whose faces “light up” as she turns the pages.

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Children’s Books Roundup: Spring Is Here!

April 4, 2023
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There are so many ways to celebrate the arrival of spring with kids. You can take a walk in the rain, look for flowers or grass sprouting in sidewalk cracks, or plant a garden. After your adventures, you can settle down and read these books.

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Children’s Books: Indigenous Voices

March 25, 2023
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Authentic books by Indigenous people have been too scarce in children’s literature. Thankfully, four gorgeous new books are helping to fill the gap.

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Children’s Book Review: All About You — Kids’ Books to Build Self-Esteem

March 15, 2023
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While you — as a parent, teacher, grandparent, aunt, or uncle, etc. — decide on your child-rearing approach, let’s help kids feel that they belong, that they are competent, and they have the courage and skills to succeed.

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Children’s Book Reviews: A Trio of Stories That Explore the Meaning of Love

April 27, 2022
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Three looks at love that may help generate some interesting conversations about what love means in the lives of children.

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Children’s Book Review: “The Hanukkah Magic of Nate Gadol” — Superficial Scorcery

December 28, 2021
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Is it at all remotely important to know how gift-giving became a Hanukkah tradition in America?

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Children’s Book Review: Girls Rule! And Other Ways to Inspire Kids This Holiday Season

December 7, 2021
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Some splendid, new (and newish) books that are sure to inspire young children.

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Book Commentary: Literary Legacies — Children’s Literature

April 10, 2021
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2020 and 2021 saw the deaths of five titans of children’s and young adult literature. Here’s to revisiting old “classics” and discovering new ones.

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Children’s Book Review: Expanding Your Child’s Universe

December 6, 2020
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A delightful translation of AntonTon (Antuntun in the original Croatian), a story about a “unique guy who does everything his own way“; whether you’re a classical music aficionado or novice, Carnival of the Animals would make a good introduction to the genre to share with children and grandchildren.

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