Finding Forgiveness
Written by Rebecca Gardyn Levington
Illustrated by Diana Mayo
Cover design: Asher Caswell
Publisher: Macmillan/Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Editor: Joy Peskin
Publication Date: Aug. 5, 2025
ISBN-13: 978-0374392024
Ages 4-8
*A 2026 Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable!*
A loving, heartwarming picture book about empathy, sisterhood, and finding the courage to ask for forgiveness―and having the grace to give it―both to others and to ourselves.
It’s Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, a time for new beginnings. But two sisters don’t know how to move forward after the fight they had the night before. As they gather for the ceremony of Tashlich, during which they’ll symbolically cast away their regrets from the previous year by throwing bits of bread into a body of water, the sisters reflect on their past mistakes. They can’t undo their actions, but they can start fresh again this year, if only they take the lessons of Tashlich to heart.
With lyrical rhyming text from Rebecca Gardyn Levington and gorgeous illustrations from Diana Mayo, Finding Forgiveness is a tender, universal story of sisterhood and making amends. It’s the perfect book to gently start conversations around accountability, apologizing, social emotional learning, and conflict-resolution with your little ones.
Available Anywhere Books Are Sold!
Written by Rebecca Gardyn Levington
Illustrated by Diana Mayo
Cover design: Asher Caswell
Publisher: Macmillan/Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Editor: Joy Peskin
Publication Date: Aug. 5, 2025
ISBN-13: 978-0374392024
Ages 4-8
Praise for Finding Forgiveness
“A luminous and emotionally resonant book…”
“Levington’s rhyming text gracefully captures the emotional nuance of reconciliation, while Mayo’s warm watercolor illustrations provide a comforting visual backdrop. Together, they present a thoughtful narrative that helps young readers navigate feelings of regret, anger, and healing.”
VERDICT A tender, beautifully crafted story about conflict, emotional insight, and Jewish holiday traditions. Highly recommended for family reading, classroom discussions, and all library collections.
School Library Journal
“…Gardyn Levington’s rhyming couplets skillfully capture the narrator’s emotional journey, while Mayo’s deftly illustrated, light-filled spreads and pastel colors convey the joy of the holiday…The story makes an excellent addition to the very small handful of children’s books on Tashlich and the themes of Yom Kippur…Conveys a universal lesson on compassion tenderly and with depth.”
Kirkus Reviews
“This touching, relatable, and emotional book helps children to understand the importance of asking forgiveness. Centered around Tashlich, this is a needed addition for Rosh Hashanah stories. Highly recommend.”
Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle
“In Rebecca Gardyn Levington’s touching — and relatable — story channeling the High Holidays spirit, two sisters have an argument on the day before Rosh Hashanah that leaves them both sulking […]The book includes suggestions for meaningful apologies that all children can use.”
The Jerusalem Post
“Finding Forgiveness offers a sophisticated yet child-accessible path to moving through sadness and emotional disruption. It underscores self-forgiveness, accountability and communication, lessons for little ones and the adults in their lives.[…]The book reminds us that within Jewish tradition there are ways of handling conflict and being our best selves by both taking accountability for our actions and forgiving ourselves. This is a helpful reminder for readers of all ages and backgrounds.”
The Sydney Taylor Schmooze
