NEW YEAR AT THE PIER

A common practice for many Jews at the time of the New Year is to perform the very public ceremony of Tashlich, or “casting off” of sins, with a symbolic throwing of bread crumbs into a body of water (stream, river, etc.). Izzy is eager to think about his sins of the past year and makes a picture list of three of them in preparation for his afternoon participation. But one sin, that of revealing the embarrassing secret of best friend Ben, is a huge concern for Izzy, and he wishes he could ignore or forget it. Jorisch’s watercolor-and-gouache paintings outlined in pen and ink offer a modern, cheerful view of a community sharing a particular ritual in the course of this significant holiday balanced against a child’s dilemma with how to do the right thing. Izzy’s personal reflections and direct approach to apology and reconciliation set a plausible example of how failings and friendships can be improved through thoughtful behavior. A well-crafted introduction to an alternative aspect of the holiday with room for discussion. (Picture book. 6-8)