NEW YEAR AT THE PIER: A Rosh Hashanah Story by April Halprin Wayland, illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch

“Izzy loves this changing time of year. Some days sunglasses, some days sweaters…” But his favorite part of the holiday is Tashlich, the ceremony of “casting away” – celebrated during Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It is a time when Jews are encouraged to consider the mistakes of the previous year and make amends.

Izzy learns that “Tashlich is like cleaning your heart’s closet.  A new year, a clean heart.”

Told in poetic prose that is true to a young child’s point-of-view, NEW YEAR AT THE PIER, a 2010 Sydney Taylor Book Award for Younger Readers winner, is a wonderful way to share this meaningful ceremony with children of all ages.