Review: Finding Forgiveness

Finding Forgiveness

by Rebecca Gardyn Levington, illustrated by Diana Mayo

Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2025

Category: Picture Books

Reviewer: Rochelle Newman-Carrasco

 

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Finding Forgiveness might be called a Rosh Hashanah story, but the magic of this moving picture book in rhyme is the way it centers two key relationships – one between two sisters, and the other between the oldest sister and her own sense of self. It opens with a quick verse about Rosh Hashanah. Diana Mayo’s soft but powerful illustrations, a blend of soft pastels and brighter pops of color, set the tone and introduce us to a congregation of a diverse Jewish community. Gardyn Levington immediately zooms in on the sisters, and we realize our narrator is the older of the two young girls. There was a fight the night before and the older sister is processing how she might make things right. The narrator’s internal personal journey also includes observations about the Rosh Hashanah rituals – shofar blowing and, in particular, Tashlich, a perfect way to shine a light on how one might deal with the discomfort of causing someone pain. We learn about the argument as the rabbi hands the sister breadcrumbs. As she says, her “thoughts are whirly-swirly.” The illustrations bring that sense of swirl and reflection to life. The narrator searches for the “why,” in relation to mistakes made. 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. I love rhyme and it is the perfect form for this narrator to untangle the complexities of feelings.

From the opening illustration, which reflects a diverse Jewish congregation, Finding Forgiveness is inclusive. Readers familiar with the Rosh Hashanah holiday rituals and meanings will enjoy the holiday setting as a container-of-sorts for the story of forgiveness and growth. Other readers will get lovely insights into the holiday throughout the book. The author has included an explanation of Rosh Hashanah and a glossary of terms mentioned in the back matter, a perfect way to keep the book focused on the forgiveness story at hand, while expanding the readers' understanding of how the holiday offers an opportunity for reflection and forgiveness. 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.

 

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Reviewer Rochelle Newman-Carrasco credits her New York Lower East Side childhood with her love of language, culture, and storytelling. She is an award-winning playwright, published poet, essayist and co-author of ZigZag, a bilingual children’s book. She wrote and performed the solo show Hip Bones and Cool Whip and has done stand up, spoken word, and theater in NY and Los Angeles. Rochelle also has an extensive background in advertising and marketing with an emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion. She has a BFA in theater from UC Irvine and an MFA in Creative Non-Fiction from Antioch, Los Angeles.