The Best Graduation Gifts

By Holly E. Newton

The end of the school year connotes graduation time, celebrating many different levels of school completions. Books, as always, are the perfect gift and help commemorate this important event in a young person¹s life. Here is a list of some outstanding picture books celebrating the graduate.

For the younger reader celebrating a change in schools, here is a simple tale about judgment.

Zen Shorts, by widely acclaimed author Jon J. Muth, is a story that involves three tales. Three children become friends with a giant panda. He imparts a clever story for each child. One of the tales expertly demonstrates how we need to forgive. A young monk criticizes an older monk for carrying an unappreciative traveler over rain puddles, as he says, "She didn't even thank you!" The wise older man replies, "I set the woman down hours ago." The older monk was able to forgive and forget, while the young monk was still learning this lesson of forgiveness.

Another perfect book for the younger child is This Little Light of Mine. This picture book is based on the familiar song of the same title and is illustrated beautifully by the acclaimed E. B. Lewis. The words of the song describe how the light from within will shine on and on. But, the pictures tell much, much more. A young boy sees another youngster sitting alone, appearing dejected as he is slumped with his head in his hands. As the song progresses throughout the book, the boy invites the sad fellow to join his friends and before long a smile shines through the sad face. This book will surely strike a chord with all ages!

Sometimes it's the wordless books that seem to have the greatest message. Home, by Jeannie Baker, shows the progress of life through an open window. Ms. Baker has small remnants of a girl's life on the windowsill, displaying her growth though the years. For instance, the book begins with congratulations for the birth of a baby girl. Through the window, you see the proud parents in their back yard holding this new baby. There are older looking vehicles on the street beyond the yard. Several pages later, there's the girl as a teen putting makeup on in a mirror that's sitting on the windowsill. Beyond the yard is a full garden and beyond that newer looking cars on the street. There's much to observe and reflect on one's own growth throughout the years.

Sometimes biographies are the perfect inspiration for graduates. Walt Whitman: Words for America, by Barbara Kerley, is a look into the life of one of America's best and most famous poets. His poetry reflected the feelings of our country during the tumultuous Civil War. I found it fascinating that when Walt was young, he loved words and loved to read. He was always writing down feelings and expressions in his little notebook. In the Author¹s Note located in the back of the book, he states that when he was eleven years old, he was given a library card. Later he added, it was ³...the signal event of my life up to that time." Brian Selznick beautifully illustrated the pictures throughout the book, and he studied many historical documents and locations to accurately reconstruct this amazing poet¹s life.

Here is a perfect companion to Walt Whitman¹s biography. When I Heard the Learn¹d Astronomer is a wonderfully illustrated book by Loren Long, based on Walt Whitman¹s famous poem. This poem celebrates the amazing imagination that is budding in all of us. The incredible pictures take you to a young boy's experience as he ponders life and the stars, ³In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time, look'd up in perfect silence at the stars.²

Mother Teresa, by award winning Demi, is an inspirational account of one humble woman serving those much less fortunate and extremely poor. This incredible woman gave all that she had throughout her life. Included here is wisdom that we can glean from her: ³Life Is An Opportunity --Avail It. Life Is Beautiful --Admire It. Life Is A Challenge --Meet It. Life Is Costly --Care For It. Life Is A Promise --Fulfill It. Life Is Sorrow --Overcome It. Life Is Too Precious --Do Not Destroy It.²

And lastly, here's a book celebrating and exploring the endless possibilities of life. Imagine a Day, by Sarah L. Thompson, and creatively illustrated by Rob Gonsalves, will spark your imagination --beyond imagination. ³Imagine a day Š when a book swings open on silent hinges, and a place you've never seen before welcomes you here.² Give a great gift to your graduate. Give a book to inspire, motivate and celebrate!

Visit Holly's Web Site!

Remember your Grad but don't forget Dad! One click gets you access to all the best Father's Day gift ideas on the web.
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1. Practical Information - Tabor College NSW
... Graduation (Top) To graduate at a Tabor College graduation ceremony, a student must have completed all the requirements for a course of study and paid all fees due. Students should apply to graduate ...
http://www.tabornsw.edu.au/practical.htm

2. Canada Princeton College
... The 2005 Graduation Ceremony The 2005 Canada Princeton College Graduation Ceremony took place on September 9th at Radisson Hotel Richmond. This year, over 30 graduates have successfully completed ...
http://www.princetoncollege.ca/News.htm

3. College Graduation Gift
... com/graduation.htm 2. High School College Graduation Caps and Gowns by Oak Hall ... These class accessories will add color and distinction to your graduation ceremony! Key Chain Tassels... the perfect ...
http://www.mygraduationgi ...ollegegraduationgift/

4. The Colorado Directory-Alamosa Calendar of Events for 2005
... Gators - Mosca 22nd ALMA Presents Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali - Alamosa May: 7th Adams State College Graduation Ceremony - Alamosa 7th Trinidad State Junior College Graduation - Alamosa 11th 16th Annual ...
http://www.coloradodirect ...m/alamosa/events.html

5. Vanier College Graduation 2002 - Order of Proceedings and Awards and Scholar...
... At Place des Arts, as darkness falls, the Vanier Graduating Class of 2002, their family and friends, and faculty and staff of the College gather for this year's Graduation Ceremony. Accompanied by ...
http://www.vaniercollege. ...ideshow98/default.htm

6. GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO THE GRADUATION FOR THE NAVAL WAR COLLEGE CLASS O...
... S. Navy President, Naval War College Graduation Ceremony November 17, 2004 Good morning and welcome to the graduation for the Naval War College Class of 2004. It is always a pleasure to ...
http://www.nwc.navy.mil/p ...yShufordNovGrad04.htm

7. International College Graduation Information
... Application Student Organizations & Publications Maps to International College GRADUATION INFORMATION The 2006 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY will be held in June 2006. Date and time will be announced at a later ...
http://www.internationalc ...ration/graduation.htm

8. UC's McMicken College: For Faculty &Staff
... The winner of this award will be invited to give the graduation address at a McMicken College Graduation ceremony. The McMicken Dean's Award for Distinguished Adjunct Performance honors adjunct ...
http://asweb.artsci.uc.ed ...y_staff/awardNom.html

9. Augustana College: Graduation Weekend
... the Class of 2005 on graduating from Augustana College! Thank you for spending the past few years ... ... You will return them following the graduation ceremony at the Arena. You may keep your hat. 10 ...
http://augie.edu/alumni/graduation2004.html

10. www herff jones com college graduation admin - College Dorm
... html ... Multicultural Congratulatory Ceremony ... Gown ordering website is available: www.herff-jones.com/college/graduation/ ... try their luck. Calling Herff Jones and/or ...
http://college.ultimatein ...graduation-admin.html

11. Douglas College - Located in New Westminster and Coquitlam, British Columbia...
... Assessment Centre Athletics Bookstore Campuses College Calendar Computer Labs Contact Information ... ... Aid Foundation Grades (check them here) Graduation Green Team Hours of Operation Information ...
http://www.douglas.bc.ca/

12. West Suffolk College Online - © West Suffolk College 2005
... Ceremony 2005 Around 125 graduates and 250 guests attended the third West Suffolk College Graduation Ceremony, which was held at St Edmundsbur.... 9 Jun 2005 High degree of success for Stowmarket ...
http://ww2.westsuffolk.ac ...ory.asp?nid=5&sid=736

13. Rutgers College Graduation Ceremony Info
... directly by the photographer at their permanent addresses about a week after the ceremony. Graduation tickets Guests Copyright Information | Contact Us | ©2004 Rutgers College Academic Services
http://www.rutgerscollege.rutgers.edu/grad.htm

14. About Sensible Organizing Solutions - Jana Hartwell
... She was nominated out of several thousand students to be the commencement speaker during her college graduation ceremony! Today, Ms. Hartwell continues to be a sought-after seminar presenter. Local ...
http://www.sensibleorganizing.com/about.htm

15. Towson University Honors College
... Member to Invite to Graduation Ceremony: (to say a few words about you) Department: Honors College Faculty Member Nomination (to receive an award at graduation ceremony) : Department: [ Back | Top ]
http://wwwnew.towson.edu/ ...uation/graduation.asp

16. How Do You Spell That?: May 2003 Archives
... I just spent the past fifteen minutes listening to Chris Hedges' rant at the Rockford College graduation ceremony (which ironically my cousin's husband was attending, and I know he was graduating ...
http://www.woogieworld.org/archives/2003_05.php

17. Portobello College
... Raymond Kearns, founder and President of Portobello College Dublin, seen here at a college graduation ceremony with President Mary McAleese National Recognition Despite the radical nature of the ...
http://www.portobello.ie/ ...ngineering_irish.html

18. Perth College :: Calendar
... 14 October Autumn Recess College open for Degree Networked Courses Friday 28 October College Graduation Ceremony Friday 18 November Staff In-Service Day Thursday 22 December Staff in-Service Day ...
http://www.perth.ac.uk/Ab ...calendar/calendar.htm

19. A+ Graduation Gifts
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21. College Match Graduation Ceremony, May 26, 2005
ABOUT US OUR STUDENTS PARTNERS/SUPPORTERS DONATE College Match Graduation Ceremony, May 26, 2005 College Match Graduation Comments The first full College Match class graduated in the Spring of 2005 ...
http://www.collegematchla.org/Grad05-05.htm

22. Graduation Update
... August and December 2005 Graduates and Candidates for May 2006 Graduation Information coming Spring 2006! If you have any questions concerning graduation activities, feel free to contact the ...
http://www.bluegrass.kctcs.edu/LCC/REG/grad.htm

23. Bob Baker's Indie Music Promotion Blog: April 2005
... Apparently, some years ago she gave a commencement speech at a college graduation ceremony that caused such a buzz, Random House just put it out as a short book called Being Perfect. Her original ...
http://www.bob-baker.com/ ...05_04_01_archive.html

24. Jesus College Oxford - Graduation Day
... Graduation Day Previous Next Index New graduates on their way to the Sheldonian Theatre for the degree ceremony. Created on 8 April 2001 by the Webmaster - Copyright © 2000-2005, Jesus College ...
http://www.jesus.ox.ac.uk ...bum/graduationday.php

25. Kibo's Media Scrapbook
... Brief shot of me walking past the camera at a community college graduation ceremony. We did the usual stunt of everyone handing the dean a gummi worm as we shook his hand, and I just happened to be ...
http://www.kibo.com/kiboclip/

26. USATODAY.com - Deployed soldiers watch children's graduations online
... online of her graduation Friday night in Clarksville ...
http://www.usatoday.com/t ...aduation-online_x.htm

27. Imperial College London - Graduation Ceremonies
... Contacts -Events homepage Imperial College London holds graduation ceremonies twice a year. The ... ... held in May. Undergraduate Commemoration Day Ceremony Wednesday 26 October 2005 Commemoration Day ...
http://www.imperial.ac.uk/P3971.htm

28. College Stock Footage - Royalty Free By Footagehouse
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http://www.footagehouse.com/college.htm

29.
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30. Graduation Ceremony -Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas
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http://www.spivideo.com/grad.html

31. Nova Scotia Community College | Graduation: Community Economic Development C...
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http://www.nscc.ca/News_E ...Media/1999/june03.asp

32. Graduation - College Graduation Announcement Sample
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33. Graduate College Graduation Deadlines
... must be made in writing and addressed to the Dean of the Graduate College. FOR COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY QUESTIONS: Call the Graduation Hotline at 702-895-3229. I AGREE University of Nevada, Las Vegas ...
http://graduatecollege.un ...ts/grad_deadline2.htm

34. Business Honors Program
... higher. The distinction of graduating with Honors in Business will be printed on students' final transcripts and recognized at the Honors College graduation ceremony. Business Honors students can also ...
http://www.utsa.edu/honor ...esshonorsprogram.html

35. college graduation announcements information
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36. Temple College - Graduation Ceremonies
... List of Candidates for Spring 2005 Graduation Special music for the ceremony was presented by the Temple College Symphonic Winds conducted by Todd Woods. The invocation was given by Keitha Richter ...
http://www.templejc.edu/news/Grads/grads2005.htm

37. Edison College - Graduation Requirements
... specified in either the College Catalog in effect at the time ... in the term in which the graduation certification is granted ... in the commencement ceremony, if the student is ...
http://www.edison.edu/academics/graduation.shtml

38. Welcome to Aiglon Alumni network
... humility. Following todayís ceremony, the graduating class will ... Corlette, the founder of this College, that you should be well ... for your well-deserved graduation and achievements, and ...
http://www.aiglon.ch/alum ...uationaddress2005.htm

39. St Paul's Theological College
... 7.00-9.00pm: Held at St Paul's Theological College Research Methodology for Theologians II: Held at St Paul's Theological College Graduation Ceremony - Wesley Hospital Auditorium June 3 End Semester 1 ...
http://www.st-pauls.qld.edu.au/calendar.htm

40. www.RemnantofGod.org
... Just one day after earning praise from religious leaders for signing "In God We Trust" legislation, Virginia Governor Mark Warner made an anti-religious remark during a college graduation ceremony ...
http://www.remnantofgod.org/guillotines.htm

41. The Graduation Ceremony
... Commencement Information on Academic Regalia (Cap and Gown) Date and Time of the College Graduation Ceremony Day: Sunday May 14, 2006 Assembly time: TBA Ceremony time: TBA Location: Franklin ...
http://www.college.upenn. ...es/grad_ceremony.html

42. College Graduation Announcements, College Graduation Invitations, University...
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43. The College Graduation of
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http://www.dellaguardiacity.com/graduation.htm

44. Just Humor Them! How To Make Presentations Memorable - By Ron Culberson, CSP...
... Once when Barbara Bush was asked to speak at the Wellesley College graduation ceremony, a large number of the all-female graduates-to-be felt that she was not the appropriate speaker since her ...
http://www.dcspeakers.com ..._just_humor_them.html

45. Camosun College - School of Business: News and Events
... 28th at the Camosun College graduation ceremony. This scholarship was established to recognize and foster active citizenship, creative leadership, and academic excellence in post-secondary students ...
http://www.bus.camosun.bc.ca/news/news.htm

46. Blithering Bunny » Blogging
... Why else would she bore to tears the audience at a college graduation ceremony by giving a 40-minute political speech? Best-selling author Erica Jong was booed and told to Shut up! and Go Home ...
http://www.blitheringbunn ...es/category/blogging/

47. Chad Kluck's Chucks - Chad Leigh Kluck
... Paul, MN Wore a pair of Monochromes for my college graduation ceremony Wore the Monochrome pair for my professional interview Convinced my fiancee to allow me, the groomsmen and ring bearer to wear ...
http://www.chadleighkluck.net/chucks/

48. 2004 college gift graduation
... and practices and Bookstore hours. ... honorary degrees from Maryville College during the ceremony ... The Class of 2004 graduation rehearsal is scheduled for ... receive their senior gift from the ...
http://www.kittycatloverg ...-gift-graduation.html

49. ASU: University College Graduation Convocation
... University College Graduation Convocation Fall 2005 ... subject to change. University College is proud to announce the Fall ... promptly at 1:00 p.m. The ceremony will end at approximately 2 ...
http://uc.asu.edu/sis/convocation.php

50. Onya Soapbox :: Testimonials
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51. Iowa Lakes Community College Graduation Application
... the bottom. Application for Graduation Date: Email Address: Name ... No (Note: There is no fall ceremony; fall graduates may attend ... mail, to: Iowa Lakes Community College Records 3200 College Drive ...
http://www.iowalakes.edu/ ...ation_application.htm

52. ABC 7 News - Gang Fears Keep Student From Graduation
... barred from attending Friday's graduation ceremony because of fears ... Gang Fears Keep Student From Graduation ...
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0606/333801.html