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. Invitations -- Relevant resources, articles, and more!
... addressing wedding invitation etiquette addressing wedding ... invitations christening invitation christian wedding ... christmas invitations college graduation invitations ...
http://www.invitations-hub.info/

2. Celebrations & Special Occassions - Invitations, Anouncements & Accessories
... Invitations High School & College Graduation Announcements ... Programs Galore : Graduation : The Baby Book : Mazel Tov ... Wording : Wedding Invitation Etiquette : Wedding Envelopes ...
http://www.dependableprin .../special_occasion.htm

3. West Point Grey Community Centre Children's Programs
... interaction and etiquette in a fun and ... festivals and Trinity College (London) exams with ... and 12 high school graduation. Diplomas for ... greetings cards, invitation cards, events ...
http://www.westpointgrey.org/children/Index.html

4. Weddings - Invitations
... Accessories Disney Graduation Baby Customer ... information and etiquette a discussion board ... C&J Paper. Email Invitation Printing Fees. 25 ... Invitations Welcome to College Select Baseball LLC ...
http://www.abdweddings.com/invitations/

5. DJ Edge-Sacramento DJ, Wedding, Promo, & Party Mobile DJs
... Mobile Entertainers, College, budget, budgeting ... Prom, Homecoming, Graduation, San Juan High ... first dance, songs, etiquette, ettiquete, advice ... dress wedding invitation wedding cake ...
http://www.thedjedge.com/

6. Rhodes: Career Services: Books
... involved with at college, it is easy to forget ... you for life after graduation Attend one of the ... up for the dinner etiquette program "Put Your ... as you receive an invitation. Continue to refine ...
http://www.rhodes.edu/car ..._6-Fouryearplan.shtml

7. William Sprague's World War II Memoir
... Coast Guard. I might have been able to get a college deferment, but I just couldnít see being in ... ... of the Deck. I was prepared with the proper etiquette for boarding a ship because I had learned ...
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g- ...m_Sprague_Memoir.html

8. 50 Free Wedding Invitations Quality Discount Wedding Invitations
... proper wording and etiquette. Graduation ... Graduation Cards for College, University, High ... Junior High School, Graduation Thank You Cards & ... the perfect wedding Invitation card. Invitations ...
http://www.50freeweddingi ...ry/Invitations_2.html

9. ☞ Engagement - Engagement Cards
... Engagement Party Etiquette Engagement Party ... Graduation Cards for College, University, High ... birth announcements, graduation announcements ... music. Greeting And Invitation Cards From Ecards4u ...
http://www.allengagement.com/engagementcards/

10. wedding invitation wording invitation renewal vow wedding wording announceme...
... Party Invitations, Seals, High School & College Graduation Announcements & Invitations. Design and ... ... be applied when you reach checkout. weddnig invitation wording , wedding invitatino wording ...
http://wedding-invitation ...nvitation-wording.htm

11. College Graduation Song
... college graduation picture college athlete graduation rate college graduation etiquette cheap college graduation invitation herff jones college graduation college graduation annoucements college ...
http://www.worshipmusic.i ...lege-graduation-song/

12. The Inaugural Year of Nancy Cantor: Inaugural Year Calendar
... children how to skate and impart good skating etiquette. Presented by the Division of Student Affairs ... ... form in the lobby of University College during graduation week. A response to the results will ...
http://soulofsyracuse.syr.edu/calendar/

13. Welcome to the Oklahoma Golf Association
http://www.okgolf.org/Articles/Amateur.htm

14. Summary of 1997 International Trade Activities
... March 1-6 at the invitation of the U.S.-Saudi ... was organized by the College of Urban and Public ... period. The group's graduation ceremony was held ... President of the Etiquette and Protocol Centre ...
http://www.wtcno.org/wtc/summary1997.htm

15. Invitation wording samples and tips: how to word a college graduation invitation
... Inc. You Are Here: WebGuru Home ª Writing Tips ª Invitation wording samples and tips: how to word a college graduation invitation ´ Tips, help and etiquette for writing a business job opportunity ...
http://www.webguru.com/wo ...ation-invitation.htm/

16. The Chosen
... Institute of 1770 did not augur well for an invitation to the Porcellian Club, which accepted only ... ... and Princeton as well, the academic side of the college experience ranked a distant third behind club ...
http://www.houghtonmiffli ...pt&titleNumber=689606

17. Free Printable Invitation Card For Graduation
... invitation announcement etiquette graduation high school high ... discount graduation invitation template for graduation ... graduation card print graduation card college graduation card ...
http://www.card13.com/fre ...-card-for-graduation/

18. 5th Wedding Anniversary Gift Idea
... Anniversary Gift Etiquette Anniversary Gift ... here now wedding invitation 2 50th wedding ... gift wrapping idea graduation ... http://www.p2p ... company gift item college graduation gift idea ...
http://www.anniversarygif ...ddingtipszone.com/zd/

19. A Model for a One-Year Leadership Development Component
... State University College of Agricultural ... may include a graduation Intervening ... at the time of invitation. If the person is ... below) Business etiquette Etiquette for young ...
http://ifro.okstate.edu/One_Year_Model.asp

20. graduation invitation - graduation invitation
... invitation college graduation invitation college graduation party invitation design your own ... ... card graduation invitation design graduation invitation etiquette graduation invitation idea ...
http://invitations.aaa-ca ...raduation-invitation/

21. Music of Washington's Time
... Miscellany, being a Graduation of Proper Lessons from the ... honored with your polite invitation to the assemblies of ... the event. On May 17th, at the College of Philadelphia, there was ...
http://www.englishcountry ...washingtonsmusic.html

22. Invitations - Formal Graduation Invitation
... Create An Invitation Graduation Invitation Etiquette Create Your Own Invitation Free Printable ... ... Free Printable Graduation Invitation Sample Bridal Shower Invitation College Graduation ...
http://my-weddings-my-des ...graduationinvitation/

23. General Jewelry
... gifts, Anniversary gifts, Graduation gifts, Wedding gifts ... 94. AV Studio - WEDDING CD invitation, Website, Web photoalbum ... Wedding Planning, Wedding Etiquette, Bridal Shower Info, Favors ...
http://www.juliesjewels.com/general-jewelry.htm

24. Wedding music information for weddings in the UK
... of performance, etiquette and presentation ... balls and university graduation balls. In doing so ... of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama ... Ischia Italy (at the invitation of Lady Suzanna ...
http://www.gig-guide.co.uk/weddingmusic.shtml

25. graduation party invitations resource information and related sites
... this site in a new window] Graduation Party Invitation Wording Graduation Party Invitations back to ... ... college graduation cards - college graduation etiquette - college graduation invitations ...
http://www.invitations-pl ...tionpartyinvitations/

26. part time job search offshore recruitment engine government job search
... male escort wedding invitation wording zyrtec hair ... search advice for new college graduates. Whether ... calls: reasons, etiquette & effectiveness When ... got their jobs Post-Graduation Report ó Each ...
http://job-search-engine. ...t-time-job-search.htm

27. Curtin Alumni Newsletter
... Australia WA Chemical College Panel and representatives ... insightful talk on networking etiquette. The key take home message ... year after graduation and we extend a special invitation to ...
http://alumninews.curtin.edu.au/full.cfm

28. The Miyazaki Mailing List - FAQ
... anime clubs. After graduation, they often remain ... example, there is a college-level class using the ... extending an invitation for them to join ... Edmonds' Mailing List Etiquette FAQ. Brian is the ...
http://www.nausicaa.net/m ...ling-list/newfaq.html

29. Book of Etiquette by Lillian Eichler - Full Text Free Book (Part 2/3)
... of 3 FullBooks.com homepage Index of Book of Etiquette Previous part (1) Next part (3) inquired ... ... equal pleasure and cordiality. SENDING THE INVITATION The invitations to house parties are ...
http://www.fullbooks.com/Book-of-Etiquette2.html

30. Hand Sculpured Glass....Links Of Other Interests
... birthdays, graduation, prom, memorial ... Add flair to your invitation envelopes or party ... shower planning, with etiquette answers, tips for ... Salem Community College/New Jersey - Salem ...
http://www.sculpturedglas ...y/Glassblownlinks.htm

31. Online Bookstore
... to be a great seller around graduation time every year. English ... John Cassidy joined with two college pals to self-publish Juggling ... Dreamer's prose poem The Invitation appeared on dozens of web ...
http://www.discountbook.biz/onlinebookstore.htm

32. party invitation examples
... classic wedding invitations elaine wedding invitations bridal shower invitation etiquette baby shower invitations college graduation party invitations train birthday invitations invitations by karina ...
http://www.rexboothill.co ...itation-examples.html

33. New World Bilingual Institute
... Certificate at the graduation. On-going class on ... International Etiquette, Platform Manners ... Foreign Languages" for college applicants to select ... Introduction: An Invitation to the Road of ...
http://www.chinesedc.com/NWBI/main.htm

34. College Gift Graduation Man
http://www.freegiftidea.c ...-gift-graduation-man/

35. beach theme wedding invitation handmade wedding invitation creative wedding ...
... invitation wording etiquette ï More Style & ... receive a wedding invitation. It is wise to ... Birthday Invitations Graduation Announcements : Bar ... Seals, High School & College Graduation ...
http://wedding-invitation ...edding-invitation.htm

36. scroll wedding invitation invitation post reception wedding wording invitati...
... find the traditional etiquette wording for ... wedding reception invitation wording Announce ... Birthday Invitations Graduation Announcements : Bar ... Seals, High School & College Graduation ...
http://wedding-invitation ...l-wedding-invitation/

37. Education - Graduation
... Etc Print Your Own - Invitation Paper Suppliers ... Printers Wordings - Etiquette - Addressing ... INVITATIONS Jostens College and University: Rings ... Home Rings Yearbooks Graduation Sports Photography ...
http://www.deveducation.com/graduation/

38. Resource Collection
... ga Wedding cakes in College Station Wedding ... in washington state Etiquette for Engagement ... color bridal shower invitation recipe card do not ... Kewpie favors Making Graduation Party Favors Budget ...
http://weddings-directory .../directory/index.html

39. The Thacher School
November 3, 2005 Invitation from the Head of School ... G. Boswell Library Graduation Requirements ... please see the College Counseling page ... good manners and etiquette. Q. Whom do students ...
http://www.thacher.org/admission/faq/parents/

40. Whistler Chamber of Commerce - Past Events
... Whistler extends an invitation to all candidates ... ofVancouver Community College. Furlong is a highly ... Sea to Sky Graduation Luncheon with Guest ... on a budget) Business Etiquette ñ primary focus on ...
http://www.whistlerchamber.com/events2.html

41. Un of Tn, Math Dept
... write thesis, if necessary. e. Place name on graduation list (during registration for the final ... ... primarily for teachers of high school or 2-year college mathematics. Before admission to this program ...
http://www.math.utk.edu/Graduate/info/p6.htm

42. http://www.48days.com/newsletter_archives/archive.php?date=20050208
... Hansen's personal invitation to the MEGA Book ... see some common sense etiquette emerge from the ... in the early stages of college for irrelevant study ... From 1990 to 2002, graduation rates at open ...

43. wedding planning - Planning A Cheap Wedding
... Wedding Planning Etiquette Wedding Planning ... Invitations, Baby, graduation, party, business ... plan for retirement, college, taxes, insurance ... tool, Cheap Wedding Invitation and Planning ...
http://www.planningforyou ...lanningacheapwedding/

44. History : UU Church of Nashua
... Moulton, Sewall Blodgett, Nat'l Cheney and John Flagg are kept busy directing the "etiquette thereof." The procession very solemnly proceeds on its way to the church, fill the vacant center seats and ...
http://www.uunashua.org/1826ChurchHist.shtml

45. Wedding Reviews
... found another love in college and jilted her. A ... just weeks before graduation that hovers over ... Checklists, Etiquette, Calendars, and ... for wedding invitation phrasing? I wish I ...
http://www.e-book-store.com/Wedding/

46. Values and Education
... Manners, Morals, and the Etiquette of Democracy.New York: Basic ... New York: Teachers College Press, 1996. Basing this work ... of dissertations studying graduation addresses. Texts of some ...
http://www.wam.umd.edu/~bobmerik/value.htm

47. Graduation - Etiquette Gift Graduation
... Graduation Announcement Etiquette Announcement Discount ... Announcement Template College Graduation Announcement ... Graduation Announcement Graduation Invitation Announcement Unique ...
http://graduation.researc ...quettegiftgraduation/

48. job search site ohio job search medical job search
... male escort wedding invitation wording zyrtec hair ... first job for after graduation. The answer is that ... to help with a college student job search ... casual attire Dining etiquette DECIDING ON A JOB ...
http://job-search-tip.cop5.com/job-search-site/

49. More on Graduation Announcement
... verses 31 graduation announcement etiquette 32 graduation announcements templates 33 ... ... 40 graduation announcements college 41 graduation invitation cards or announcements 42 ...
http://www.eduhistory.com ...tion-announcement.htm

50. Related Links
... Planning Software Etiquette and Customs ... school, law school, college or high school ... Birthdays, Parties, Graduation, Thank You Cards ... handmade wedding invitation company, making ...
http://www.thebomboniereshop.com/related.shtml

51. Photo Graduation Announcement
... announcement graduation invitation announcement graduation ... graduation announcement college graduation announcement ... template graduation announcement etiquette free graduation ...
http://www.eternalmemory. ...duation-announcement/

52. News & Events > Buena Vista University
... of proper cell phone etiquette. Phones should be ... West Third Street from College Street east to the ... are extending invitation to anyone ... is a requirement for graduation for students who ...
http://www.bvu.edu/calendar/bvunews/

53. 2001alumnews-spring.htm
... fishing * Alum's book on golf etiquette * Baseball returns as MSUM ... the just-as-reputable Carlton College. She dropped out only after ... School in Rochester after graduation from MSUM in 1991?one of 40 ...
http://www.mnstate.edu/pu ...01alumnews-spring.htm

54. Party411 The Etiquette Queen
... The Game Girl ïInvitation Diva ïFashion Queen ... Party Funky Holidays Graduation Party Holiday Party ... Jerusalem To ask the Etiquette Queen a question ... High School Some College Associate Degree ...
http://www.party411.com/queen.html

55. graduation wording
... Invitation Wording by Invitation Consultants With great ... & Wording samples list, Etiquette for Invitations and ... Graduation. New Home and Moving & Party411 - College ...
http://www.pecans-texas.c ...aduation-wording.html

56. Wedding photographers in western australia
... invitation response etiquette utah weddings las ... scrapbooking gift graduation idea red wedding ... custom wedding invitation last minute online ... extermination of of college-learned them, train ...
http://wedding-photograph ...ralia.cream.sanok.pl/

57. tropical wedding invitation 50th anniversary invitation sample wedding invit...
... invitations, check out our Etiquette Page for guidelines. We at ... design. announcement book invitation wedding We offer, custom ... Graduation Announcements Baby Birth Announcements College ...
http://wedding-invitation ...l-wedding-invitation/

58. Wedding - Wedding
... gift [Housewarming invitation] | Wedding program ... Accessories Disney Graduation Baby Customer ... napa register | college community napa valley ... all your wedding etiquette questions ...
http://www.atozwedding.com/wedding/

59. East Carolina University
... Academy in 1926. Commissioned ensign upon his graduation in 1930, Davis began his long military ... ... of Staff, and Naval Deputy for the NATO Defense College. The collection consists of correspondence ...
http://www.history.navy.mil/sources/nc/ere.htm

60. POINTS OF INTEREST FOR INDIVIDUAL TOURS
... gentlemen's club", and the invitation to enter by the ever ... observe oneís table etiquette. This is the Henley Park ... day) and the spring (graduation).] Annapolis offers many ...
http://www.rafino.org/visit_dc.htm