AUDIOBOOKS

Finding Forgiveness

by Marta Bartolj (text) & illus. by Marta Bartolj
Chronicle. Mar. 2025. 72p. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781797223964. K-Gr 4
COPY ISBN
K-Gr 4–Bartolj returns to the emotional lives of children with a story of forgiveness. When his friend accidentally sets his pet bird free, a boy has no time for her pleas of forgiveness as he goes off in search of his pet. Along the way, he sees other interactions where people are in conflict yet seemingly able to find forgiveness relatively quickly. Only when he crashes into his father and breaks his favorite mug are the roles reversed, and he comes to realize how important it is to forgive. The wordless quality of this title opens the door for young people to fill in the dialogue and rehearse the act of asking for, and offering, forgiveness. The illustrations in pencil, ink, acrylic, and watercolor are highlighted with the use of blue to great effect.
VERDICT Highly useful for engaging children in ­social-emotional discussions, this wordless title on a topic central to the lives of children is useful in all collections.
Reviewed by John Scott , Feb 01, 2026

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