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. Musical Bliss Entertainment, Inc. - DJ - East Stroudsburg, PA - Monroe Count...
... with. We look forward to planning future events with Musical ... Private - Corporate Christmas Party Jacksonville, Florida Friday ... 2004 6:00PM - Private College Graduation Party Paterson, New ...
http://www.gigmasters.com ...lissEntertainmentInc/

2. Graduation - Graduation gift ideas
... Graduation - Spring 2006. College Convocation Schedule. EVENT ... 6, 2006. LOCATION: Graduation Planning Guide. Theme Parties ... Decorations. Favors Graduation party themes, decorations ...
http://graduation.surferspace.com/

3. Graduation Party
... for a high school or college graduation party! These ... Party Johnath's Graduation Party TITLE + - FILE NAME ... umbnails.php?album=37 2. Planning a Graduation Party for Your ...
http://www.realgraduation.com/GraduationParty/

4. The History of the Michael Nazy Family - An Immigrants Story
... Marie. It was a college graduation party. Family and friends ... As being a educator as a college professor recording my family ... the family in Europe. I am planning to visit Croatia in the ...
http://www.piperspages.com/Marshall/Nazy.html

5. Discount Party Supplies Store - best party supplies!
... Graduation Party Supplies College Party Supplies Company Picnic ... Graduation Party Supplies Graduation Party Supplies Catalog ... Party Paper Supplies Party Planning Supplies Party Rental ...
http://www.party-supplies.quality-shops.net/

6. free wedding invitation template invitation wedding western wording discount...
... graduation party invitations, college graduation ... announcements, high school graduation invitations Birth ... com.ist, wedding planning checklist, free wedding ...
http://wedding-invitation ...-invitation-template/

7. PURPLE LEMONADE . COM
... boring college party. It was a Pirate Party that our friends have been planning for freaking ... ... ll be regretting ever feeling this way since Graduation will be approaching, haha. But Im ready for ...
http://www.purplelemonade.com/

8.
http://doozycards.com/printed-cards-directory.php

9. http://www.grabthelight.com/otherresources.asp
... Resources Banner Signs Birthday Party Themes College Graduation Gift Ideas Dr. Seuss Books ... ... Poster Printing Personal Fitness Trainers Planning for College PocketPC Development Printed ...

10. Graduation House Invitation Open Sample
... borders border clipart graduation graduation border clip art free graduation borders college graduation party planning graduation party planning idea graduation idea kindergarten song new graduation ...
http://www.graduation1.co ...vitation-open-sample/

11. E Birthday Invitations - Invitations SB
... you need to ask when planning an outside party for your ... the kids party...(Continue Reading) A Meaningful Graduation ... to graduate from high school, college, or another professional ...
http://invitationspd.peda ...hday-invitations.html

12. Hulk birthday invitations - Incredible Hulk Birthday Party Supplies and Deco...
... Day Invitations - High School and College Graduation Day Party Harry Potter party theme, Hulk ... ... and Decorations by Incredible Hulk Birthday Party Planning Guide by Birthday Express Incredible Hulk ...
http://hulk-birthday-invitations.okeysearch.com/

13. College Graduation Party Planning
College Graduation Party Planning FireRocket Search Related Searches graduation house invitation open template high school graduation open house invitation graduation page border border graduation ...
http://www.college3.com/c ...ation-party-planning/

14. WeddingChannel.com
... graduation party would be a day to remember, but she was shocked to her toes when her college ... ... dream honeymoon This year's hottest favors Planning a meaningful ceremony Pearlescent White ...
http://wedding.weddingcha ...how.asp?vhl_uid=10486

15. Links for College Degrees
College Degrees Online Links Click here to read the latest Articles graduation invitation cards ... ... party menu graduation party menus graduation party planning graduation party supplies graduation ...
http://www.college-degree ...com/mba/index119.html

16. Wedding Invitations, Birth Announcements, Graduation Invitations, Baby & Bri...
... Graduate! High School or College Graduation Announcements or ... Occasions Besides Wedding, Graduation, Baby, and Anniversary ... for. Are you planning a party for your son's Bar ...
http://www.frameyourday.com/

17. College Party Online
... displays; marquee hire; party planning; special effects; catering ... is mandatory. GIOVEDI COLLEGE PARTY. La serata universitaria per ... in Toscana ... College Graduation Invitation ... Theme ...
http://www.clickzsolution ...es/college-party.html

18. Ann's Birthday Party Ideas
... Party Favors Party Decorations Party Planning Party Crafts Party Food Theme Party Costumes ... ... Theme Party, Caribbean Theme Party, College Theme Party, Graduation Theme Party, 70's Theme Party ...
http://www.anns-birthday-party-ideas.com/

19. ! A+ Five Star DJ Entertainment for your special occasion
... 12-19-97 (Surprise College Graduation Party) 12 ... 7-5-96 (High School Graduation & Karaoke Party) 6 ... Banquet & Karaoke Party) 3-9-96 (Wedding ... Wedding, Wedding Planning, disc jockey, DJ ...
http://www.acclimatedsounds.com/Reportcard.htm

20. Kosher catering for graduation parties
... pastries and more. Bagel Boss platters are perfect for any graduation celebration from elementary school to college. Party planning is our specialty, so you can be assured that you are not only ...
http://www.bagelboss.com/catering/graduation.shtml

21. college graduation gift idea
... gift idea Gourmet Food Gift Basket, college graduation gift idea, caribbean gift basket, mother ... ... party idea. Birthday party ideas, birthday party planning, party supplies, kids party ideas, kids ...
http://www.shopping-gift. ...t_idea_pecileye.shtml

22. graduation party favors - welcome to graduation party favors
... Links From Princess Prints Special Event Planning, Party Supplies, M&m Special Events ... ... graduation invitations, party decorations, favors, frames, jewelry and keyrings, for college ...
http://www.allpartyfavors ...raduationpartyfavors/

23. Low Carb Diet Support Forums - January Curves Bunch
... down your way the 14th for my niece's college graduation party!!!!! I'll wave a "HI" on my way ... ... neck-free. YAY!!!! So since it's sunday, I'm planning on breaking out the walkaerobics dvd. And ...
http://www.lowcarbeating. ...ive/index.php/t-11904

24. bachelor community party type
... of home office supply ... graduation or birthday party - we got ... school, perhaps some community college, and then ... and all other ... bachelor party bachelor party planning los angeles bachelor ...
http://www.bostonbachelor ...orcommunitypartytype/

25. 2002
... to my illness, but I need to use this week for planning and rehearsal, yes, I said rehearsal, for the ... ... Ana and myself taken from her cousin's college graduation party. 06/14/02- 10:00AM I was too busy at ...
http://www.damonjasso.com/2002.htm

26. Get Together Menu
... food idea housewarming party idea cinco de mayo party idea party planning idea princess party idea beach party idea college graduation party idea pool party idea party decorating idea hawaiian party ...
http://www.44party.com/menu/get-together.htm

27. Wholesale Party Supply at the b2bYellowpages.com B2B directory. -
... Graduation Party Supply, College Graduation Party Supply, Cheap Graduation ... ; Wholesale Wedding ... ... for everyday and every occasion. Start your party planning here. Featured Web Results Learn More ...
http://www.b2byellowpages ...olesale_party_supply/

28. College Graduation Announcements, College Graduation Invitations, University...
... CARDS, LOTS OF WORDING IDEAS College/University Graduation ... Good Sites Site Map (Email) Graduation > Good Sites Good Sites ... party. Bachelorette Party Planning Bachelorette party ...
http://www.graduationcard ...ewlinks.php?linkid=10

29. Invitation party retirement
... 1 Retirement Planning Resource. now is their chance to design an invitation for their own DREAM PARTY! Invitation Wordings ñ Sending Invitations ñ Milestone Birthday and college graduation invitations ...
http://retirement.sitesar ...-party-retirement.htm

30. Holiday Dmitri | What's a Party Without Someone Remapping Visual Landscapes?
... project, Rullman tells me, is planning next year's installation of ... his first Summer Solstice party together with MCA curators ... place the night of my college graduation, which is the same ...
http://www.holidayness.com/booster10.html

31. Naptime Productions Pregnancy Articles
... Unique Baby Shower Favors Ģ Planning the Perfect Baby Shower ... Cards | Photo Holiday Cards Party Invitations | Child Birthday ... High School and College Graduation Invitations Moving ...
http://www.naptimecards.c ...regnancy-articles.asp

32. High School Graduation Party Ideas Web-Page, Resource And Facts
... a graduation party. College graduation party ... comes to high school graduation party ideas, you ... to gain in a birthday party, right. Publisher ... Doing some extra planning makes it fun and ...
http://www.partysupplyspo ...tion-party-ideas.html

33. Graduation, project graduation, college graduation announcements
... the worry out of graduation planning. Our Graduation Guide ... gift Graduation certificates College graduation Graduation class ... Graduation ceremonies Graduation party invitations Graduation ...
http://www.overeating.net/graduation.html

34. Graduation - Graduation
... Gift Graduation College Gift Graduation ... Gift Graduation Party Gift Graduation Great ... of old and new state graduation... GraduationParty ... a book which helps in planning a graduation party ...
http://graduation.researchalot.com/

35.
http://www.bookingentertainment.biz/

36. Graduation Party - Graduation Party Planning
... Or are they going away to college? Check out our LuggageGuru ... be ordered from this site. Planning Your Party E-Newsletter Buy the Book! Find Party Stuff Graduation Gifts Home About Us ...
http://www.graduationparty.com/

37. Party Form
... What type of Affair are you planning? Birthday Wedding ... Welcome party Other type of party Specifics for the above Affair ... Wedding song Graduation - Elem-H.S./College Graduation ...
http://www.djchrisjames.com/Forms/chrisparty.html

38. Wedding Invitations, Save the Date Cards, Graduation Invitations, Birth Anno...
http://frameyourday.com/

39. Graduation Party, Bachelorette Party and Birthday Party ideas ñ frozen drink...
... Fiestas, Pool Party, College Party or a Hawaiian ... our Corporate Event Planning - we can help make ... s Party and Mardi Gras Party and St. Patrick's Day ... Cinco de Mayo, Graduation Party, and Memorial ...
http://www.caribbean-cool ...s-FAQ-Party-Ideas.htm

40. wedding invitation index 15
... informations help you to find the best offers. Planning your event can be fun and exciting. But it ... ... party wordingcocktail party invitationcoffee wedding favorcollege graduation announcementcollege ...
http://www.pasztorpaper.com/15/index.html

41. Party - Graduation Party Supplies
... Pool Party College Party College Parties Party Invitations ... Party Party Dresses Party Planning Christmas Party Discount ... Appetizers New Years Eve Party Graduation Party Supplies Wholesale ...
http://www.partyliving.co ...duationpartysupplies/

42. Ugly Juice::: May 2005
... me to everyone at the party as his best friend ... 9 to 6 on Monday. I'm planning to raid the New Hope ... clothes (he starts college on Tuesday!) and he ... load-up. We had graduation at our school ...
http://www.uglyjuice.com/ ...awschool_archive.html

43. Oregon River Rafting, team building trips
... For example, say that you are planning a large corporate outing ... family retreat or college graduation and there is a special ... these steps: Determine your party size Make a list of preferred ...
http://www.riverdrifters.net/grouptrips.htm

44. Events Listing
... MPI - WI Fineblanking Holiday Party Meeting Rooms 12/12/2005 12/15 ... 2005 Komen Race for the Cure Planning Meeting Boardroom 12/14/2005 ... 2005 12/16/2005 Herzing College Graduation Exhibition Hall 12/18 ...
http://www.co.dane.wi.us/ ...xpo/events/events.asp

45. wedding invitation butterfly wedding invitation find out about wedding invit...
... graduation party invitations, college graduation invitations, graduation thank you cards ... ... Books for weddings and wedding crafts Wedding Planning Bridal Bargains: Secrets to Throwing a ...
http://wedding-invitation-wording.blowreg.com/

46. robWillis 6: May 2005 Archives
... ben salem for kristen's cousin's college graduation party. kristen was only in town for 6 hours and we didn't know until saturday morning, hence the last minute planning. we followed that up with a ...
http://www.robwillis.org/archives/2005_05.html

47. Graduation i : College Graduation Party
... Graduation Party College Graduation Rings College Graduations Fall Graduations Football ... ... Graduation Party Invitations Graduation Party Planning Graduation Party Supplies Graduation ...
http://graduationi.com/co ...uationparty/index.php

48. Invitations HQ - Invitations
... Party Invitations College Graduation ... Invitations Graduation Party Invitations ... and the bridal party. Birth Announcements ... listings Offers event planning and invites ...
http://www.invitationshq.com/

49. Graduation Reference, Directory
... gifts, includes product catalog, college index, and student gift service. Graduation: Celebrate with Style Promoting a book which helps in planning a graduation party. Site also includes a budget ...
http://www.cube2.org/YzJfNzk5NTQx.aspx

50. Party Supply - Communion Party Supply
... Clifford Birthday Party Supply College Graduation Party Supply ... Party Supply Wholesale Graduation Party Supply Wholesale ... Parties For all of your party planning needs. Thousands of party ...
http://www.apartysupplyin ...communionpartysupply/

51. Graduation Party Theme
... Free Bridal Shower Games | Bridal Shower Planning Graduation Party Theme Graduation parties are ... ... to a graduation party. A fun party idea is to have the guests come in their high school or college ...
http://www.bridal-showers ...themes/graduation.htm

52. Patriotic American Flags at Homedecorating-Ideas.Com
... on Earth. www.candlemanufacturers.net College Graduation Party Order custom, affordable ... ... for the home, cat and home decor, party planning decorations make at home. These articles ...
http://www.homedecorating ...oticAmericanFlags.asp