Finding Forgiveness

by Rebecca Gardyn Levington, Diana Mayo (illustrator)

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.

Back matter includes an author's note which explains Tashlich, a glossary, and a section on “How to Say I’m Sorry and Mean It.”

Genres: Picture Books

40 pages, Hardcover

Published August 5, 2025

Reviews

[Joyce Schriebman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's frequently hard to explain the concept of forgiveness to children in a simple, relevant, and lasting way. But Rebecca Gardyn Levington has created a new book that does just that. While written to highlight the Jewish New Year tradition of taslich, this story and its sibling framework would be good for any parent trying to teach a child how to say "I'm sorry." Diana Mayo's beautiful soft colors complement the sensitivity and gentleness of the theme. A winner that belongs in all libraries and homes.

[Kathy Temean · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Finding Forgiveness, Rebecca Gardyn Levington offers a tender and beautifully crafted story that gently guides young readers through the emotional terrain of conflict, regret, and reconciliation. Set during Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, the book follows a young narrator grappling with the aftermath of a fight with her sister. As the family gathers for the Tashlich ceremony—casting breadcrumbs into water to symbolically release past wrongs—the child begins to understand the power of apology and the grace of forgiveness.

Levington’s lyrical rhyming couplets capture the vulnerability and sincerity of the narrator’s emotional journey, making complex feelings accessible to children ages 5–8. Diana Mayo’s soft, light-filled illustrations add warmth and depth, portraying a diverse and inclusive synagogue community, including a female-presenting rabbi and people of color. The visual storytelling complements the text beautifully, reinforcing the themes of empathy, reflection, and renewal.

What makes Finding Forgiveness especially meaningful is its dual relevance: while rooted in Jewish tradition, its message is universal. The book includes a glossary and a practical guide on how to make meaningful apologies, making it a valuable resource for families and educators alike. Whether shared during the Days of Awe or used year-round to spark conversations about accountability and healing, this picture book is a quiet gem that belongs in every child’s library.

[Dr Lee Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Forgiveness is a beautiful multi-layered story for 4-7 year olds and the grown-ups in their lives.
The setting is Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New Year, and the ceremony of Tashlich. During Tashlich, you symbolically cast away your regrets from the past year by throwing pieces of bread into a body of water, which in this story is a small river.

But the theme is universal for children and adults alike – sibling relationships, learning how to say sorry, to forgive and be forgiven, and to be kind to one another. There’s a broader message of the importance of family and community.

The language is straightforward with rhythm, rhyme and onomatopoeia that move the story along. There is clever use of parallel verbal and visual imagery – on one spread, ‘whirly-swirly thoughts’, the necklace that the younger sister broke and the flowing river.
The beautiful Fall colors and pastels of the illustrations, with the two sisters dressed in pink and yellow through the whole story, enhance the text. The facial expressions of the sisters take the reader through their emotional journey until the satisfying aaah ending.
This book will be read again and again. It will be an important addition to school and public libraries.

[Chana Stiefel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up next to a canal in North Miami Beach, filled with fish, exotic birds, and other wildlife. On the afternoon of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, our entire community would come to our house for Tashlich, a Jewish ceremony in which people symbolically cast their sins into a flowing body of water. Some people have a tradition to throw breadcrumbs and watch their regrets float away (or in our neighborhood, get eaten by fish and ducks). As children, we always loved this ritual. For one thing, my siblings, friends and I would serve cold punch on a hot Miami day. And performing Tashlich also felt like we were giving ourselves a fresh, clean slate to begin a new year.

I’m so thrilled to read FINDING FORGIVENESS, Rebecca Gardyn Levington's newest rhyming picture book, beautifully illustrated by Diana Mayo, which tells the story of two sisters who have an argument just before Rosh Hashana. The older sister feels regret and by performing Tashlich, hopes she can repair their relationship. This story truly resonated with me, and I’m so happy that children today will learn about this special custom. Backmatter includes a glossary, background on Tashlich, as well as advice on how to say sorry and mean it, a wonderful way to make this book meaningful and relatable for all.

[Danna · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Jewish homeschool mama of three kids, I look for books for every holiday. While there are plenty of festive Rosh Hashanah books, this is the first one I have seen that includes the beautiful, healing process of tashlich, and one that can really be read through all of the High Holy Days! Yom Kippur is a particularly tough one to cover with kids. This book is so moving, relatable, and honest, with plenty of tension to keep the reader moving and to keep my kids needing to know what happens, while simultaneously being comforting in Rebecca Gardyn Levington's signature stunning lyrical rhyme. The story of fighting sisters transcends any holiday, but the concrete path towards forgiveness here serve as a roadmap for any kid struggling with conflict. The whimsical illustrations and sweet expressions of the sisters are artfully done as well, and complement the text perfectly. This is a definite buy-me book to have on the shelf and pull out over and over as we sort through inevitable conflicts, and one I will be buying as gifts for everyone I know. Super well done!!!!

[Arlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful and very moving story about two young sisters who are troubled during the Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) holiday. During prayers in the synagogue, both girls are sad—the older one for having hurt the younger with harsh words the previous night, and the younger one hurting from those words. The resolution of the conflict comes during Tashlich, a ceremony where one’s regrets are symbolically tossed away by throwing crumbs into moving water, giving the opportunity for a clean start in the new year.
Rebecca Gardyn Levington tells of the girls’ regrets and forgiveness in a most poignant and affecting way. The rhyming text enhances the lyricism of the story and communicates the message with a light touch, but nevertheless in a way that will leave an impression on young children struggling with finding forgiveness. The very lovely pastel-colored illustrations enhance the text, also imparting a softness to the book.

[Laura Bower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Forgiveness is a sweet, relatable book. Levington frames the story -- about an argument between two sisters -- around the backdrop of Rosh Hashanah (specifically Tashlikh) where she deftly weaves in facts about the special ceremony throughout the story. Through self-reflection, communication and openness, the sisters learn to navigate through rough waters, and realize what is truly important — forgiving others (and ourselves!) Told in expert rhyme with beautiful illustrations by Diana Mayo, Finding Forgiveness would make an excellent addition in classrooms, libraries and homes. Back matter that includes an author’s note, tips on how to say “I’m sorry” and mean it and a glossary of terms are included as well!

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Forgiveness is the sweetest book I’ve read in a while. You can just feel the love between the two sisters despite their misunderstanding. The well-written text is gentle and lyrical. Absolutely gorgeous illustrations are created in a soft palette of pastel colors and the expressions on the faces of each character are spot on perfect. I think my favorite spread is when the congregation is gathered with the rabbi by the river, surrounded by the bright, orangey-reds of autumn. Beautiful endpapers, too. Along with suggestions for easier apologies and a glossary, a thoughtful author’s note at the end provides all readers with a deeper understanding of the lovely Tashlich ceremony that takes place on the first day of Rosh Hashanah.

[Sarah Aroeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Forgiveness is a beautiful book that teaches not only how to forgive others, but also how to forgive ourselves - not easy lessons to teach young children, and this book does it so well. As part of the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah each fall, Jews have the opportunity to think about their actions from the past year and what they'd like to do differently in the year to come. With the backdrop of a fight between sisters (such a common scenario!), a little girl learns to think seriously about her emotions and how she yearns to say she's sorry. The book has lovely, lyrical rhyming that helps make these important and realistic lessons so worth reading and sharing.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this heartwarming and well-crafted book, Rebecca Gardyn Levington introduces us to sisters who are trying to find their way back to each other after a fight. Told against the backdrop of the Jewish ceremony of Taslich, the universal themes of forgiveness, love, and community are presented in a simple and concrete way. Emotion fills every stanza and page, complemented by the facial expressions and pastel color palette in the illustrations. Back matter not only serves to explain the context but offers thoughtful reflection on the importance of a meaningful “I’m sorry.” This book would be a welcome addition to any home or school library.

[Jan Schwaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 7-year-old and I absolutely loved this beautiful book. Two sisters find forgiveness with the help of the taschlich ceremony, an important part of the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah in which we reflect on the mistakes we've made throughout the year. The sisters are so relatable - even for me, as an adult, and the poetic rhyme is imbued with so much emotion that it made me choke up quite a few times. We've all been there, and sometimes, it's hard to say we're sorry - especially for kids. I think this book is both beautiful and valuable. The illustrations are gorgeous, as well, and a glossary of terms (plus some pointers on how to properly say "I'm sorry") really complete the book.

[Kathryn LeRoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all speak words we soon regret, hurting those we love. Our emotions, unhinged, we search for ways to mend the broken bond. This is hard enough for adults, but how do we ever convey to children the consequences of our outbursts?

In the backdrop of Diana Mayo’s gorgeous illustrations, Rebecca Gardyn Levington uses Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year and the Tashlich to tell the story of two sisters. When an older sister shouts at her younger sibling, she reflects on her behavior and sees the sadness in the child’s eyes.

Through poetry and relatable language, we find a way to say “I’m sorry.”

[Naomi Gruer · Rating 5 out of 5]

FINDING FORGIVENESS is a beautiful book which shows how an older sister feels after an argument with her younger sister. Rebecca Gardyn Levington's lyrical text, accompanied by Diana Mayo's soft-hued illustrations, mines the older sister's emotions including how hard it is to apologize. Rosh Hashanah and Tashlich, the Jewish New Year and symbolic ceremony of casting away regrets, are the framework on which the story is built. Underlying it all is an understanding of how hard it is to accept responsibility, but that doing so is the way to building better relationships--so, so important now more than ever.

[Karyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gem. In Finding Forgiveness, a young girl doesn’t want to face what is making her heart ache: she’s said angry, hurtful things to her little sister and doesn’t know how to make amends. With the help of the beautiful and healing Tashlich ceremony, she goes on an emotional journey of empathy and forgiveness. The author’s rhyming quatrains wonderfully capture the narrator’s thoughtful, meditative reflection on her actions and feelings – I was captivated throughout, and moved by the ending. The art is gorgeous and a perfect fit for the story. Beautifully rendered story to love and learn from.

[Ann Harrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Forgiveness is a touching, poignant story reflecting universal themes of sisterhood and making amends. Rosh Hashanah and the symbolic ceremony of Tashlich provide an empathic foundation for a story about regrets and making amends after a conflict between two young sisters. Deftly told in lyrical rhyme and beautifully illustrated in a soft pastel palette, this story captures the emotionality of the moment. With its relatable social emotional learning themes, this story is sure to become a classic both for the young reader at home and in the classroom.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect book for young children to help them understand the full meaning of forgiveness on their level. It is a huge topic written so children can understand and relate. The rhyming text flows easily as a read-aloud describing a conflict between two sisters during the High Holidays. It gives examples of typical childhood behaviors that happen between siblings: Using unkind words, slamming the door, feeling jealous, holding a grudge. Another important topic addressed is forgiving oneself.
I intend to use this book to spark discussion in my first grade Hebrew School classroom.

[Doreen Klein Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just adored this picture book about forgiveness as it relates to the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah (New Year) and the custom of Tashlich. But you don’t have to be Jewish to understand how important it is to say I’m sorry and ask for forgiveness - from others, and from yourself. Lots of social emotional learning in this beautiful rhyming picture book with lovely illustrations that will melt your heart. Back matter includes an author’s note, glossary and instruction on how to say you’re sorry and mean it.

[Claire A.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couched in the Jewish New Year tradition of tashlich, a young girl travels the difficult path from anger (at her younger sister) to regret at losing her temper, to asking forgiveness, to reconciliation, and, finally, to forgiving herself. The beautiful rhyming text is gentle yet real. The art is also gentle, carrying the reader along with a tender touch. An author's note teaches the steps for a full apology. If every child had access to this sweet exploration of anger and apology and forgiveness, our world would grow to be a better place.

[Debbie Zapata]

FINDING FORGIVENESS is a tender and beautifully crafted story of sisterhood, empathy, and second chances. Rebecca Gardyn Levington's lyrical rhymes, paired with Diana Mayo's warm, expressive illustrations, create a heartfelt exploration of conflict and reconciliation, grounded in the meaningful tradition of Taschlich. With its universal message and thoughtful back matter, this book is an excellent resource for sparking conversations about apologies, accountability, and the power of starting fresh. I highly recommend it as an addition to any home or classroom library.

[Lynn Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using the framework of Rosh Hashanah and the ceremony of Tashlich, this gentle story explores the complex emotions that siblings experience after a fight and provides a path for moving forward. Even though I wasn’t familiar with Tashlich, I found this story extremely relatable and love how it tackles complex and common emotions in a kid-friendly way. The author’s lovely language “my thoughts are whirly-swirly,” the gorgeous illustrations and the helpful back matter make this a story families will want to turn to time and again.

[Michelle Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is gorgeously written and illustrated. As usual, Rebecca's rhyme is impeccable in this story—which is about two sister's who get into an argument during the Jewish holiday of Tashlich. As the story unfolds, the hearts of both hurting sisters become apparent. As reflection drives the older sister's desire for reconciliation, we get to witness what forgiveness looks like when you've been hurt by someone you love. Truly, a lovely book about emotions and feelings within a story that everyone can relate to, Jewish or not.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young girl attends Rosh Hashanah services at her synagogue, and as she listens to the service, the shofar, and afterwards listens to the rabbi during Tashlich, she relates it to the tension she's feeling with her younger sister as they recently had an argument and are still upset over it. The lessons imparted from the holiday's message helps the girl understand her own actions and how to move forward with her sister. A beautiful and relatable story in rhyme with gorgeous illustrations.

[Laurie Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

While set during the Jewish High Holidays, this healing story speaks to any child (or grownup), Jewish or non-Jewish, who has ever lost her temper or spoken words she has come to regret. Autumn leaves swirl and drift across the pages as the older sister moves from regret to empathy and forgiveness in this gentle, rhyming story. The illustrations of the ritual of Tashlich are especially lovely as the sister casts her breadcrumbs of regret into the river.

[Leslie Kimmelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story, centered around the Jewish new year, the tradition of Tashlich (throwing crumbs into moving water, and the concept of forgiveness. In simple, perfectly-scanning rhymes (I'm a stickler!), an older sister muses on the unkind words she's recently yelled at her younger sibling. What steps must she take to forgive herself, and to ask her sister to forgive her, too? Gorgeous, softly-focused illustrations make this a winning choice for holiday, or any time of year, reading.

[Lisa Varchol Varchol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a moving picture book about two sisters finding a way to repair their relationship after an argument, with the lessons of Tashlich providing a beautiful framework for the story. The process of making mistakes and making amends is conveyed in a gentle, accessible way. Masterful storytelling and stunning art combine to form a powerful, poignant story. And there's great back matter, too. I highly recommend!

[Suzy Levinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taking place during Rosh Hashanah and the ceremony of Tashlich, this gorgeous story explores making mistakes, contemplating and taking accountability for those mistakes, empathizing, apologizing, forgiving, and so many of the complicated feelings that come with sisterhood and growing up. Fantastic rhyming text by Rebecca Gardyn Levington, stunning art by Diana Mayo. Great back matter, too!

[Abby White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so lovely. The focus on forgiveness and atonement is one of my favorite parts of Judaism, and I rarely seen it treated with the care and specialness it deserves. FINDING FORGIVENESS does. Levington does a great job elucidating the importance of sorries and the feelings behind them in a subtle way that still resonates. Highly recommend for any kids in your life, Jewish or not!

[Pooja Nukala · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how relatable this book is to both kids and their adults. The story of the two sisters and how they find forgiveness in their hearts is touching. The setting of Rosh Hashanah elevates this book, and the beautiful illustrations take us on a journey of emotions from sadness and guilt to love and joy!

[Diana Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, poignant story about family, love, sisterhood, and forgiveness, all tied into the symbolism of Tashlich and Rosh Hashanah. I love the carefully crafted lilting rhythm of the 3/3/4/3 stanzas. The pacing gives it a thoughtful tone that's very appropriate. And I love how the story makes handling important emotions relatable to kids. And even offers solutions! This book is a treasure.

[HELEN ZAX · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lyrical exploration of Tashlich and the importance of finding forgiveness. Gorgeous illustrations bring Rebecca’s lovely poetry to life with a perfect fall palette. Wonderful end matter explores the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, the meaning of Tashlich, “how to say ‘I’m sorry” and mean it," and includes a helpful glossary of the Hebrew terms scattered within the text.