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.
Click Here for Great Father's Day Gift Ideas!

1. butterfly wedding invitation winter wedding invitation announcement chicago ...
... Mitzvah Invitations, Holiday Party Invitations, Seals, High School & College Graduation Announcements & Invitations. Design and Proof your order online. wedding invitation idea | free wedding ...
http://wedding-invitation ...y-wedding-invitation/

2. Graduation Invitations | Personalized Wedding Invitations | Announcement Sta...
... Whether it's a college graduation, high school graduation or a home school graduation, make it special with a custom printed graduation party invitation from Tie the Knot. Graduation announcements ...
http://www.ttkinvitations ...ation-Invitations.php

3. graduation invitation wording
... Announcement Wording College Graduation Announcement Wording. & HELP!!! I am graduating from college in one month and I can't find an invitation wording that I like. & Party Invitations, Birthday ...
http://www.pecans-texas.c ...vitation-wording.html

4. Bachelorette Party Invitation at Printingatadiscount.Com
... announcements fill in, bachelorette party invitation wording, unique wedding stationery, bachelorette party invitations, college graduation announcement sample, samples of ...
http://www.printingatadis ...arty-Invitation.shtml

5. Graduation Invitations, Graduation Announcements Cards, Graduation Cards
... Announcements, Graduation Invitation and Graduation Cards that can be personalized for college graduations, high school ... kindergarden graduation, graduation party invitations and more ...
http://www.express-invitations.com/GradInvAnnouc

6. Party Stuff
... Music And Party Wedding Reception Decoration Ideas Birthday Party Party Invitation Graduation Party Ideas Party In The College Graduation Party Ideas Bridal Party Shower Party Favor Ideas Graduation ...
http://www.performanceparty.org/

7. College graduation announcement
... party idea graduation lyric 8th grade graduation graduation rate graduation party invitation grade graduation college graduation invitation graduation decoration hku graduation project graduation ...
http://www.unclejohnspupp ...tionannouncement.html

8. Graduation Clip Art
... graduation announcement graduation card college graduation gift graduation party graduation speech graduation poem graduation gift graduation invitation graduation announcement graduation goto fun ...
http://www.clip4.com/graduation-clip-art/

9. College Graduation Announcements - Skillfully designed, highly personalized ...
... christmas party invitations | college graduation announcements ... graduation invitations | halloween party invitations ... housewarming invitations | invitation cards | party invitations ...
http://www.aldengrace.com ...on-announcements.html

10. g
... cap and gowns good graduation songs graduation party announcements graduation party invitation grant mcewan college graduation images gov grants grant jeffrey grants for single mothers ...
http://www.educationkey.com/education/g.htm

11. bridal invitation shower wedding picture wedding invitation example invitati...
... Invitations, Holiday Party Invitations, Seals, High School & College Graduation Announcements & Invitations. Design and Proof your order online. wedding anniversary invitation | wedding invitation ...
http://wedding-invitation ...on-shower-wedding.htm

12. stamping invitation ideas
... College graduation: party invitation ideas - Ideas for making unique and memorable invitations for your ... party invitations. Rubber stamping ideas: decorating a scrap book with rubber ... http ...
http://www.11-scrapbookin ...invitation-ideas.html

13. Graduation Invitation Party Sample Wording
... template graduation party invitation example graduation party invitation verse graduation party invitation idea college graduation party invitation free graduation party invitation free graduation ...
http://www.graduation1.co ...party-sample-wording/

14. graduation party idea
... party idea idea for graduation party invitation wording graduation party decorating idea ... ... graduation idea party warner outdoor graduation party idea college graduation party idea graduation ...
http://www.articimo.com/graduation_party_idea.htm

15.
http://www.new26.com/

16. 50th wedding invitation
... mitzvah invitations, birthday party &... & wedding invitations. & ... precious moment wedding invitation & Wedding Invitations: 30 ... Carlson Craft & & College Graduation Invitations; 50th ...
http://www.hamiltonctyele ...dding-invitation.html

17. Graduation Day Invitations - High School Graduation Invitations - College Gr...
... Favors Sign-in Boards Banners Invitations Invitation Etiquiette l Favors & Gifts Personalized ... ... Favors Personalized Gifts Party Giveaways Theme Favors Graduation Favors Bar Mitzvah Favors Bat ...
http://www.thatsawrapper. ...ionDayInvitations.htm

18. Graduation Announcement, Graduation Photo Announcement, College Graduation A...
... The glory days of high school are over. Or the first big college degree is in your hand. And you want to celebrate. A graduation party invitation makes sure your friends and loved ones know the where ...
http://www.desktoppapers.com/graduation1.html

19. Graduation Present
... graduation announcement graduation card college graduation gift graduation party graduation speech graduation poem graduation gift graduation invitation graduation announcement graduation free ...
http://www.presents1.com/graduation-present/

20. Graduation Announcement Thank You Cards, Graduation Invitation Thank You Cards
... Cards or Graduation Invitation Thank You Cards ... You Cards, Graduation Party Thank You Cards and ... online printable Graduation Thank You Cards ... be personalized for college or university ...
http://www.cardsshoppe.co ...ard_list.asp?catid=10

21. Invitation Letter Sample For Graduation
... sample wording college graduation invitation sample sample wording college graduation invitation sample graduation party invitation graduation invitation sample sample wording for graduation ...
http://www.letter11.com/i ...ample-for-graduation/

22. graduation party favors - welcome to graduation party favors
... Personalized Graduation Party Invitations - High School - College - Graduation Invitation Personalized graduation party invitations, high shcool graduation invitations, college graduation invitation ...
http://www.allpartyfavors ...raduationpartyfavors/

23. Graduation Vitamin C
... graduation announcement graduation card college graduation gift graduation party graduation speech graduation poem graduation gift graduation invitation graduation announcement graduation swanson ...
http://www.takeyourvitami ...graduation-vitamin-c/

24. antique baby toy
... wedding anniversary gift wedding party gift college graduation gift personalized baby gift ... ... Baby Guide Baby Blog Toy Shop Baby Shower Invitation Copyright Baby-Gift-Ideas 2004 - 2005. Your ...
http://www.baby-gift-idea ...oy/index.php?page=160

25. Collectible Gift Graduation Graduation Invitation
... wrappers and Hershey party invitation,college graduation ... cash or money order. graduation information from the school ... announcements, gift thank you, collectible, year book CHS News ... http ...
http://www.mygraduationgi ...graduationinvitation/

26. High School Graduation Invitation
... graduation invitation announcement high school graduation announcement college graduation invitation graduation party graduation invitation goto fun pic free printable graduation party ...
http://www.high2.com/high ...raduation-invitation/

27. Discount Graduation Invitation
... at 20-30% off from Invitation Elegance for wedding ... shower, rehearsal dinner, and party invites from Encore, National ... invitations.com/ Graduation Announcements, College Graduation ...
http://invite3.theinvitat ...ation-invitation.html

28. Graduation Party Invitation
... invitation sample invitation wording for graduation graduation invitation announcement graduation party decoration college graduation invitation graduation gown preschool graduation graduation ...
http://www.mindspore.com/ ...ion-party-invitation/

29. las vegas wedding invitation, announcement diego san wedding,invitation span...
... Seals, High School & College Graduation Announcements & ... Invitations Christmas Party Invitations : New Years Eve ... Browse by category: wedding invitation catalog | precious moment ...
http://wedding-invitation ...s-wedding-invitation/

30. Gift Ideas HQ - College Graduation Gift Ideas
... Have the announcement or invitation engraved! Personalized Bent ... 2002 12:51:00 AM) Viewed (998 College bound graduates could get a ... Graduation Banners! graduation party, college graduation ...
http://www.giftideas-hq.c ...egraduationgiftideas/

31. invitations sales
... announcement college graduation ... dream invitation dreaminvitation ... formal graduation announcement ... fourth of july party invitations ...
http://www.invitations-sales.com/sitemap.htm

32. Graduation Invitations, Graduation Party Invitations
... Themes Rehearsal Dinner Party Invitations Religious ... Money request on graduation invite Asking for ... or wedding shower invitation, that are not ... with money to take to college, have your friends ...
http://invitations.lifeti ...nvitations/index.html

33. Catholic Mass Resource: Graduation Invitation: Catholic-mass.com
... information about graduation invitation. Graduation Speech At The Evergreen State College Sparks Furor. Taped speech by ... which helps in planning a graduation party. Site also includes a ...
http://www.catholic-mass. ...uation-invitation.htm

34. Personalized University, College and High School Graduation Gifts
... Have the announcement or invitation engraved! Personalized Bent Glass Picture Frames New!!College and University Diploma Frames ... engraved by your graduation party guests. An elegant and ...
http://www.wealthwood.com/graduation_gifts.htm

35. Graduation HQ - College Graduation
... Graduation Invitations College Graduation Party College Graduation Rates Football Graduation Rates ... ... Graduation Images Graduation Information Graduation Invitation Graduation Invitations Graduation Jokes ...
http://www.graduationhq.com/collegegraduation/

36. Graduation Announcements Store
... Class of ____________ College announce their Commencement ... location) Graduation Invitation Wording Join us at an Open ... your presence at a Graduation Party May 22nd at 2pm 101 ...
http://www.graduationanno ...om/gsamplewording.asp

37. Graduation Announcements, Graduation Invitations, Photo Graduation Cards
... junior high school, high school, homeschool, college, graduate school, medical school, law school ... ... and graduation party invitations - An open house graduation invitation is customarily sent to ...
http://www.announcements- ...s_list.asp?intcatid=7

38. Find Gifts at Eoob United States
... Lingerie Wedding Baptism Party supplies Watches Valentines ... Easter gift Gift for him College graduation gift Romantic gift ... art birthday Birthday invitation Child idea Wedding album ...
http://www.eoob.us/gifts/

39. College Graduation Quote
... graduation invitation quote 2005 ... results for "college graduation quote" 1. Dorm Room ... only Welcome to King s College London Pros... http ... comprehensive or third party fire and theft cover ...
http://www.quote5.com/college-graduation-quote/

40. Graduation Party Personalized Supply
... html 1 Graduation Invitation - High School Diploma, College Diploma, Gift Card, Party Supply, Graduation Party Graduation InvitationHigh School Diploma, College Diploma, Gift Card, Party Supply ...
http://www.supplies-area. ...ized-supply_5945.html

41. Sample Poems
... anniversaries, or college graduation. With a little ... a very special lift. Sample Party Poem A special birthday has ... look so great when we're 65! Invitation Barry and Tammy are engaged ...
http://www.justwriteforyou.com/id2.html

42. Theme Party Ideas ñ Celebration Gift Ideas ñ Planning Parties
... com/tip/88476/choosing-celebration-invitations/party-invitation-tips/beautiful-college-graduation-invitations.html http://Celebration.lifetips.com/tip/88477/choosing-celebration-invitations/party ...
http://celebration.lifetips.com/TipSiteMap.html

43. Party Supply - Communion Party Supply
... Party Supply Clifford Birthday Party Supply College Graduation Party Supply Columbus Ohio Party ... ... Graduation Party Supply Catalog Graduation Party Supply Invitation Halloween Party Supply Harry ...
http://www.apartysupplyin ...communionpartysupply/

44. College Party Online
... COLLEGE PARTY. La serata universitaria per eccellenza in Toscana ... College Graduation Invitation ... Theme Decorations 1 City Party Theme Favors Cocktail Party Invitation College Party College ...
http://www.clickzsolution ...es/college-party.html

45. Graduation Announcements, College Graduation Announcements
... announcements, college and high school ... to see the best invitation selection and the ... Discount Prices! Graduation Announcements ... printing company, and Party Invitations & ...
http://www.graduation-announcement.com/

46. Doozy Cards Directory of Unique Greeting Cards and Printed Cards
... Party Cat carries invitations appropriate for graduation celebrations: from kindergarten to college ... ... wedding accessories and bridal favors. Free invitation samples and free bridal shower thank-you ...
http://doozycards.com/printed-cards-directory.php

47. canadian wedding invitation blank wedding invitation free wedding invitation...
... received awards from wedding invitation companies for our customer ... Child Birthday Invitations Graduation Announcements : Bar Mitzvah ... Holiday Party Invitations, Seals, High School & College ...
http://wedding-invitation ...n-wedding-invitation/

48. Graduation Party Supply
... graduation party food graduation party menu graduation party favor graduation party decoration college graduation invitation graduation gown preschool graduation graduation cap and gown kindergarten ...
http://www.hailsky.com/graduation-party-supply/

49. Party Invitations
... at Party Cat. We have invitation designs for every party and ... Invitations | Bachelorette Party Invitations | Western Wedding ... Personalized Placemats | College Graduation Invitations | Birthday ...
http://www.partycat.com/

50. College Graduation Invitation
... com/ Personalized Graduation Party Invitations - High School - College - Graduation Invitation Personalized graduation party invitations, high shcool graduation invitations, college graduation ...
http://invite4.theinvitat ...ation-invitation.html

51. Invitation party retirement
... Invitation Wordings ñ Sending Invitations ñ Milestone Birthday and college graduation invitations, homemade invitation ideas and other holiday party invitations. Personalized Gifts. Retirement Party ...
http://retirement.sitesar ...-party-retirement.htm

52. graduation announcement
... Graduation Invitation Personalized Graduation Gift College Graduation Hallmark Card ... ... Refinance Viagra Basketball Betting Credit Card Party Poker Buy Adipex Casino Web Hosting Buy ...
http://graduation-announcement.3qn.net/

53. College graduation gift
... College Graduation Personalized Party ... Party Favors - Graduation Chocolate Favor ... ... htm College Graduation Invitation - Bargain Prices Shop fast. Buy ...
http://www.helpengineerin ...-graduation-gift.html

54. graduation invitation -- graduation invitation
... RI.htm College graduation: party invitation ideas College graduation: party invitation ideas Ideas for making unique and memorable invitations for ... ... The following are some creative graduation ...
http://www.linvitations.com/graduationinvitation/

55. Graduation Gifts - WestPortStyle.com
... 2" tall Graduation Gifts Black Grad Border Slim Invitation ... 00 Whether it is high school, college or grad school, graduations ... own personal touch in to your party. Contains 20 cards and 20 ...
http://www.westportstyle.com/graduation-gifts/

56. Photo Graduation Announcement, Photo Graduation Invitation, Graduation Invit...
... Photo Graduation Invitations Tie-Dye Invitation Original Color Portrait Original Portrait ... ... party invitations help convey the joy of your graduation. Naptime Cards can customize your college ...
http://www.naptimecards.c ...uation-invitation.asp

57. NYU > Commencement
... with the Commencement invitation. Order on-line now at: > herffjones.com/college/graduation Rental Fees according ... not live in the state a third party may pick up the academic ...
http://www.nyu.edu/commencement/attire.html