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!

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Click here for great Father's Day Gift Ideas!

1. Graduation -
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2. Gifts and Collectibles - Graduation - Find, Compare, and Buy at DealTime
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4. Eastside High School - Gainesville, FL
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5. HEM Online
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6. brokenclay.org/journal » 2004 » May
... that unlike sometime in our agragrian past, high school graduation is pretty much a minimum (sub ... ... it. So were going to graduation, and hes going to wear the cap and gown (his choice) and he and ...
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8. WFU | WFU News Service
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9. Men's Clothes - Other Men's Clothes items
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10. Laura's Gallery - High School/Graduation Day
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11. Saint of the Month
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12. High School Graduation Gifts - WestPortStyle.com
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14. Marine Denied Right to Wear Uniform
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15. Going Back to School
... One teacher we know shows his new students a picture of himself graduating high school - a grinning ape in a red graduation cap and gown. This usually makes the kids laugh, and it's a good way to ...
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16. Leah's 100
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18. Prom Dress - Hot or Not -- Prom Trends for 2004
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20. Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Opinion: Editorials
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21. Tree of Life Christian Schools > Calendars > School Wide Calendar
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22. P-CCS | High Schools
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23. brightroom event photography
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24. Karate Kid II Missing Scenes
... FADE TO SIX MONTHS LATER EXT. HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION DAY All the pomp and circumstance of an outdoor graduation. The graduating class sits in cap and gown listening to the graduating address ...
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29. Mom & Baby Gift Baskets P3
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30. AXCESS SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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33. Peninsula High School - Career and Guidance Area
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36. Are You A Disappointment To Your Parents?
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37. Graduation Cake
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38. The Sikh Coalition
... Officials at Alexander Hamilton High School in Los Angeles ... graduation ceremony. Citing a school district policy ... issue him a graduation gown until he agreed to wear a cap to the ...
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39. In Memory of Jacob J Hogencamp Sr
... He's there for several things in your life. He's there at your high school graduation... To see you in your cap and gown, And as proud as anyone can be When you receive your diploma. He is ...
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40. Graduation Cap And Gown Clipart
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41. deseretnews.com | Horizonte — where dreams come true
... Tom Smart, Deseret Morning News Candelaria Ramirez, 42, dons a cap and gown for her high school graduation. Now, with years and miles separating Ramirez from her small-town youth in the Mexican state ...
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42. http://www.libertyacademy.net/lcafaqs.htm
... Faculty (Parents) and Students School Pictures and ID Cards Promotion Celebration High School Cap and Gown Graduation Ceremony and Diploma for Seniors Secured Website Curriculum Help Resource Library ...

43. GRADUATION
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46. Graduation Cap
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47. Kindergarten and Senior Graduation 2004 CHASE SC Home School Association
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48. Recommended Gifts - Graduation
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49. 87 Maysville Wolverines - Senior Graduation Cap and Gown
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50. Lancaster Eagle-Gazette - www.lancastereaglegazette.com - Lancaster, OH
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51. American Courage Newsletter #101 - July 14th, 2005
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53. Clio Area Schools Calendar
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54. HomeLife Academy :: View topic - HOMESCHOOL SUPPORT GROUPS
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55. Index of Gifart Clipart
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56. Gowns - compare prices, reviews and buy at NexTag - Price - Review
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57. College Graduation Gifts
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58. Senior Portraits-San Antonio-Graduation Portrait-Seniors-San Antonio High Sc...
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