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. stonewall jackson high school manassas
... connecticut school of bartending south davis junior high school high school graduation annoucements american school of bombay early high school graduation ford city high school high school ...
http://www.brcmschool.org ...kson-high-school.html

2. Dallas County Community College District Tuition Exemption Programs
... Foster Care Students Senior Citizens AFDC Students ROTC/National Guard Students Early High School Graduation For information concerning tuition exemption programs and the criteria for ...
http://www.dcccd.edu/cat0102/ss/fa/te.htm

3. TAA Correspondence Item
... ACTION REQUIRED October 10, 2005 To the Administrator Addressed Senate Bill 1227 and House Bill 2109, passed by the 79th Texas Legislature, make several amendments to the Early High School Graduation ...
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/taa/comm101005.html

4. Links
... Medical/Philosophy Degree Waiver (Biomedical Research Scholarship Student Waiver) Competitive Scholarship Waiver Good Neighbor Scholarship Program (GNSP) Early High School Graduation Scholarship (EHS)
http://www.hccs.cc.tx.us/ ...inancialaid/links.htm

5. TCC District Early High School Enrollment
... Once students have been admitted into Early High School Enrollment, they must meet certain ... ... in the Registrar's Office each semester until graduation. Testing Information TSI score exempt status ...
http://www.tccd.edu/neutr ...tpage.asp?pagekey=718

6. Socorro Independent School District
... Contact Us | Site Map Latest News State of the District Broadcast 2005 Employee Update Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program My.SISD.net High School Resources Early High School Graduation ...
http://www.sisd.net/index ...tent&task=view&id=241

7. RED TAPE - News from Around the State - March 2005
... to expand the availability of high-quality child development and ... standing, sustained focus on early childhood. "We need to ensure ... prepare them for success in school and in life," Marianne Udow ...
http://www.lib.msu.edu/ha ...red_tape/stat0502.htm

8. Alaska 4U - Alaska High School
... Accountability and Student Information State of Alaska > Department of Education & Early High School Graduation Qualifying Examination (HSGQE) Modified/Nonstandardized HSGQE North Pole High School ...
http://www.alaska-4u.com/alaskahighschool/

9. Increasing the Achievement of Native American Youth at Early College High Sc...
... They embraced the Early College model because it raised expectations from high school to college graduation. It is worth noting that rather than redressing perceived deficits, Early College begins ...
http://www.newhorizons.or ...ell_egawa_wortman.htm

10. Chadron State College - Distance & Alternative Learning
... per semester in 100 and 200 level course work and a total of 16 credit hours prior to high school graduation. Early Entry courses are college level and carry with them the expectations of college ...
http://www.csc.edu/dal/early.htm

11. Emancipation
... However, they must allow you to continue attending public school classes even after you take the test (unlike early High School Graduation) The test also allows you to enter a Community College and ...
http://www.bizparentz.com/emancipation.html

12. Robert Thomas Dancenter: Instructors
... Later, after an early graduation from High School, Mike moved to New York City to study and work with the famed American Ballet Theatre. Upon his arrival in NYC, he became a popular teacher at both ...
http://www.rtdance.com/instructors/

13. Scholarships- Apply for Financial Aid
... The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board offers a tuition exemption called Early High School Graduation Scholarship. Students eligible for this program will have their only tuition for college ...
http://www.lee.edu/financialaid/scholarships.asp

14. Glossary
... any college or who entered with advanced standing (college credits earned before graduation from high school). Early Admit:A student of high school age who is admitted prior to his or her high ...
http://www.montana.edu/aircj/reps/glossary.html

15. Legal Issues and Gifted and Talented Children
... Issues covered range from early school admission to early high school graduation and awarding of credits. HomeImaginationReference DeskCollege & Acceleration Gifted Resources for Educators and ...
http://www.extremeintelle ...ssues/legalissues.htm

16. KnowledgeWorks Foundation - High School Initiatives - Early College
... weíll support five additional Early College high schools in Canton ... fact not only graduate from high school, but also succeed in ... behind the nation in college graduation rates. While this is ...
http://www.kwfdn.org/high_schools/early_college/

17. Index of 1926 Fort Worth Central High Graduation, Fort Worth, TX
... 1926 Fort Worth Central High School at First ... resources: USA|TX, Graduation Lists More ... of sources such as school yearbooks, city ... ancestors -- from their early years in school ...
http://www.familytreeconn ...resources/ftc396.html

18. Learning Disabilities OnLine: LD In-Depth: Pass the Test or No Diploma: High...
... well. Since as early as the 1970s, some states have made adequate performance on exit exams a partial requirement for high school graduation. (5) Through these exams, a single, multiple-choice test is ...
http://www.ldonline.org/l ...ssessment/oneill.html

19. High School Student Recent Graduates
... D. after high school graduation " Early Admissions Student Not yet 18 or a high school graduate interested in taking college credit courses or adult level continuing education classes " Home Educated ...
http://www.cod.edu/AdRegR ...ss/highschoolgrad.htm

20. EARLY GRADUATION
EARLY GRADUATION Any high school student who completes the number of credits and other exiting standards required by both the state and the district prior to completing eight (8) semesters of high ...
http://www.gardenvalleysd.com/early_graduation.htm

21. Colleges and Financial Aid
The Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation Compendium of Texas Colleges and Financial Aid Calendar 2005-2006 Financial Aid Programs Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program Awards of the cost of ...
http://www.window.state.t ...ars/aid/txehsgsp.html

22. Scholarships And Financial Aid For Undocumented Aliens
... Early High School Graduation Scholarships for students graduation on or after 9/1/2003 ... RMC - Financial Information Financial Information. Consumer Information and More. The Student Guide to ...
http://www.best-student-l ...ocumented-aliens.html

23. ITINERIS Early College High School :: A Jordan District Charter School
... Itineris Early College High School offers 11th and 12th grade students an engaging and rigorous educational experience on a college campus. Students can fulfill high school graduation requirements ...
http://www.iechs.org/

24. Ohio Old High School and College Yearbooks, Class Rosters, Graduation Progra...
... School & College Yearbooks, Graduation Programs, Reunion Booklets ... Schools Ada, Hardin Co. Ada High School 1916 Yearbook Ai ... Centralized School, items from Fulton Co., Ohio, Early Schools ...
http://www.old-yearbooks.com/oh/

25. Albuquerque Tribune Online
... Early high school graduation. Secretary of education post. Merit pay for teachers. More tutoring for low readers. Charter Board Authority for charter school approval. From the state Board of ...
http://web.abqtrib.com/ne ...2_news_age8stat.shtml

26. acalog4™ ACMS: GENERAL INFORMATION
... Students who have not reached their high school graduation dates should refer to the General Policy on Early Entrants below. Students who have completed an approved home school program should refer ...
http://catalog.gcc.mass.e ...p?catoid=9&navoid=183

27. SEOP - Student Focus
| Admission Requirements | Early Graduation $$ | Electronic High School | | ACT Assessment | Beta Club | Web Resources | Utah Mentor | Student Focus The single most important ingredient in planning ...
http://www.uen.org/seop/html/student.html

28. Gifted and Talented
... These programs provide very specialized accelerated curriculum and counseling that often allow early high school graduation (by several years) and therefore enable early admission to college. How ...
http://www.collegecountdownkit.com/gifted.htm

29. Interview: Jordan Hubbard
... I'm 39 years old and have just a high school education since I worked after school as a programmer and eventually took my high school graduation test early so I could go into the industry full-time ...
http://www.kerneltrap.org/node/278

30. Bloomington High School South :: Grade Policies
... Special waivers available to students in the program include 1) permit early high school graduation; 2) permit the earning of more than eight credits from correspondence courses; 3) exemption from ...
http://www.south.mccsc.ed ...demics/guidelines.htm

31. Cognitive, Academic and Personality Characteristics of Early School Leavers ...
... to leave school before graduation despite the rather hapless ... prospects. Early identification of the potential school Leaver ... will accommodate for those high-risk students. Due to the ...
http://www.ssta.sk.ca/res ...improvement/92-03.htm

32. termpaperbank.com- a databank of quality pre-written term papers, term paper...
... Dysfunctional Family E B White E Tail Vs Retail Early American Writers Early Childhood Early High School Graduation East Asian Financial Crisis East Of Eden Review Eastern Europe Russia Eating ...
http://www.termpaperbank.com/520.html

33. Antioch University Seattle | Early College High School Initiative
... Early college high schools are designed to increase high school graduation and college-readiness rates, particularly among minority and low-income youth, by providing students with rigorous college ...
http://www.antiochseattle ...ollege/factsheet.html

34.
... high school graduation exam sample graduation announcement graduation party elementary school graduation early high school graduation college graduation invitations the best college graduation gifts ...
http://www.army-posters.com/mkw/graduation.html

35. Harry Potter's magic casts a spell over London - Sify.com
... The studentówho also has his own fan siteóflew in especially on Friday as an early high school graduation present from his mother. "J K Rowling is an amazing author," said Costa's mother Julie, a 5th ...
http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=13978421

36. Powell School District
... High School Books and supplies High School Any other expenses associated with course High School Early Graduation A request for early graduation from Powell High School may be made by a student ...
http://www.park1.net/powe ...ndbook_graduation.asp

37. Experts to Speak on Importance of High-Quality Early Child Care
... children have increased high-school graduation rates, higher levels of education, and participate in the work force with greater success. Every dollar invested in quality early child care and ...
http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/ ...stories/news3337.html

38. Texas Legislature Online - Bills By Subject
EARLY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 78th Legislature Number of Bills: 2 HB 1882Author: Deshotel / et al. Sponsor: Lucio Last Action: 06/22/2003 E Effective on 9/1/03 Relating to ...
http://www.capitol.state. ...subject/78R/P0133.HTM

39. http://www.ess.panam.edu/finaid/prospective/types/special_programs/special.htm
... with Dependent Children Program Children of Disabled Firemen and Peace Officer Program Early High School Graduation Program Valedictorian Tuition Waiver Certified Educational Aide Exemption Fifth Year ...

40. WWLTV.com | News for New Orleans, Louisiana
... Point Average 8 Core Curriculum 8 Cumulative High School Grade Point Average 10 Disabled Students 12 Early College Admission Programs 12 Early Graduation 13 Eligible Institutions 13 First Time Full ...
http://www.wwltv.com/adve ...al/challenge/tops.htm

41. *Imagine* Acceleration: Evaluating the Controvery
... school algebra and junior high math, or takes a college physics course in lieu of high school physics). Early graduation: The student graduates from high school or college in 3-1/2 years or less ...
http://www.cty.jhu.edu/imagine/accel.html

42. THECB > Rules and Regulations
... 21.959 Student Services - Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program Proposed Current Board Chapter 21, Subchapter E , Sections 21.122 and 21.124 Student Services - Texas B-OnTime Loan Program ...
http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Rules/

43. Publications of the Southern Regional Education Board
... Keywords: college readiness, high school graduation, early outreach, dual enrollment, college admission, college placement, feedback reports, financial aid Catalog information: (04E14); 20 pages ...
http://www.sreb.org/main/ ...ningstatepolicies.asp

44. VSB UBC Transition - Mini School Information
... Graduates of the two year program achieve high school graduation and early entrance to university while developing confidence in their abilities to achieve success in learning challenges, career ...
http://www.vsb.bc.ca/vsbp .../VSBUBCTransition.htm

45.
... County Community Website 2005 AEIS, District Accountability Ratings & Tables, and the Early High School Graduation Program information may be view from the General Office link. Coming events: 10/20 ...
http://irioncounty.netxv.net/

46. Early Admission, Concurrent Enrollment, and Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit
... Directory Calendars Edit This Page Search UAB Early Admission, Concurrent Enrollment, and Dual ... ... exceptional students prior to their graduation from high school when evidence can be presented that ...
http://www.main.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=38621

47. Main_frame
... Association for the Deaf Association for Compensatory Educators of Texas Scholarships Early High School Graduation Scholarship Financial Aid-Tuition Exemptions National Federation of the Blind ...
http://www.abileneeducati ...ScholarshipsFrame.htm

48. Book Review - College in Three Years
... CLEP) Colleges Where Financial Aid Equals 100% of Student Need Suggested Pland for Early High School Graduation The True Costs of a College Education Not Completed in 3 Years Attig's arguments ...
http://www.collegeconfide ..._life/three_years.htm

49. Catalog 05-07
... Academic Excellence Band Certified Educational Aide Exemption Program Choral Drama Early High School Graduation Program Salutatorian Valedictorian ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Academic Excellence ...
http://www.victoriacolleg ...507/financialaid.html

50. Information Page
... degree. For students who have completed their high school graduation requirements early, CU Succeed courses are an excellent alternative to additional high school electives or off-campus enrollment ...
http://thunder1.cudenver. ...usucceed/infopage.htm

51. HSC - Homeschooling Gifted Teens / Preparing for College
... Gifted teens often take a path that leads to early college admission, and this sometimes requires early graduation from high school. (http://www.hsc.org/chaos/teens/tests.php and http://www.hsc.org ...
http://www.hsc.org/chaos/gifted/giftedteens.php

52. Teacher gift baskets
... and the holidays so be sure to order your gift basket for a special teacher early. High school graduation gift ideas Need High School Graduation Gift Ideas? When a graduation warrants gifts ...
http://www.novelgiftbaske ...achergiftbaskets.html

53. Media Corner
... Does early high school graduation affect scholarship eligibility? Are there specific places minority students should look for scholarship information? If you wait a year after high school graduation ...
http://www.scholarshipworkshop.com/media.html