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. Georgia Graduation High Result School Test
... Orange - Butterfly Comforter Set - New York City School Board - Famous Cigar - Decoration Graduation High School - Bank Capital Federal One Savings - Cute Easter Quote - Anti Depressant Drug ...
http://georgiaghrst13.ol94.info/

2. Anniversary Gift Etiquette
... Band Wedding ... ... Wedding Decoration Wedding Dress Wedding ... print a christmas card graduation gift guide charlie brown ... AWeddingTipsInfo.html 54. High School Graduation Gifts ...
http://www.anniversarygif ...versarygiftetiquette/

3. CCCOE ROP: High School Arts
... at Monte Vista High School meets fine arts or ... requirements for graduation. Antioch High ... techniques. Albany High Clayton Valley Enroll ... fashion and interior decoration that begins with ...
http://cocoschools.org/stsvcs/rop/arts.html

4. Doubleperf | Alaska | Archives
... each floor, and some of the ugliest interior decoration I can remember. We got a tour of the place ... ... Arena, no joke, was the day of my high school graduation, as far as I can recall, and I don't ...
http://www.doubleperf.com ...hives/cat_alaska.html

5. Free Graduation Party Invitation
... party supply graduation party recipe high school graduation party graduation party game ... ... graduation party announcement graduation party decoration college graduation invitation ...
http://www.eaglewhite.com ...ion-party-invitation/

6. graduation open house invitation
... Diva ï Fashion ... Re: 18yr old son's high school graduation op... A Graduation Open House Luncheon An open house luncheon for a graduation party with decoration and menu ideas. Graduation Open House ...
http://www.rexboothill.co ...house-invitation.html

7. Party Ideas - Party Ideas
... Hawaiian Party Ideas High School Graduation Party Ideas Holiday ... Ideas Retirement Party Ideas School Party Ideas Spiderman Party ... ideas, theme parties and decoration ideas. Halloween party ...
http://www.partyideashq.com/

8. Bogatin Yakov - Augusta Free Press : Schools
... size: 10px; } a:hover { text-decoration: none; } .newstext, .nav ... an hour away from becoming a high-school graduate. And then getting ... valedictorians in the 2003 graduation class at Wilson Memorial ...
http://ken.sportsyst.com/ ...e_Press_Schools_9.htm

9. Alabama High School Weblog
... which is for the best as he is still in high school and for all I know they really are "only ... ... was proud of the little ones at today's decoration/memorial day program at church. The singing ...
http://www.alabamahs.com/blog/shajon.php

10. Renella De Fina Couture wedding dresses and bridal gowns
... elegance of each line. The character of the decoration gives the complex yet comfortable feel to ... ... include gay marriage solar energy and high school graduation exams. Its a four-week sprint said ...
http://www.elegantgowns.c ...ding_dresses_166.html

11. Party411 The Party Girl Gives Advice on Graduation
... Safe Grad Party Our high school is trying to ... the name of the school) Please advice ... POLICE ACADEMY GRADUATION PARTY FOR HUSBAND i ... WHAT TYPE OF DECORATION DO YOU THINK WE ...
http://www.party411.com/advice09.html

12. Nappanee Six Cartoonists
... in 1913 he did the decoration and cartoons for ... a student in Nappanee High School, he took a ... from the Landon School of Cartooning. His ... about 1920. After graduation from Nappanee High ...
http://www.yesteryear.clunette.com/nappanee6.html

13.
... tree was purchased before Thanksgiving and decoration begins the day after. A tree that big is ... ... his leg the day after Joe Chatigny's High School Graduation celebration, 10-28-01. He's been in a ...
http://www.jecolthurstfamily.com/news.htm

14. High School Renewal Newsletter
... core subject areas. Read Graduation Policy [PDF]. Boston Day ... boston.k12.ma.us. Burke High School JROTC Projects November and ... in Ms. James geometry class decoration were crafted around a ...
http://www.highschoolrenewal.org/newsjan05.asp

15. Graduation Party Invitations, Graduation Open House Invitations, Personalized
... Open House Invitations High School Graduation ... Announcements Nursing School Graduation ... Site Map (Email) Graduation > Good Sites ... Wedding Favors Decoration Ideas Unique ...
http://www.graduationcard ...ewlinks.php?linkid=15

16. Interior Design Degree - OnlySchools.com
... Interior Design Degree - Top Interior Decoration Colleges ... Directory Accreditation ... ... top high schools best high schools high school graduation broward community college university ...
http://www.onlyschools.co ...riordesigndegree.html

17. Grain Valley High School - Class of 1985
... found this on another school/class site here on ... Engagement, Graduation, Lottery ... Official Grain Valley High Scho The Stone Bryson ... <a style="text-decoration: none" href="/main ...
http://www.classreport.co ...ain_valley/gvhs/1985/

18. Right here 1967 hot wheel cars
... las vegas welcome back elementary school decoration mustek 1200 free download driver for scanner ... ... payment car near insurance iowa high school graduation requirements orlando international ...
http://1967-hot-wheel-cars.hade.info/

19. The Decorating ideas with cake decorating ideas and front yard landscaping ideas
... Window treatment ideas high school graduation party ideas unique wedding reception ideas wedding decoration ideas, research paper topic ideas birthday party ideas team building ideas unique gift ...
http://decorating-ideas.iemkt.com/

20. www.tog.at - Theatre without boundaries / Members
... since 1996. After high school graduation and 3 year studies of history and art history. Training in the art of woodwork. Since 1993 independent set designer and decoration constructor ...
http://www.tog.at/en/members.php3?&show=ck

21. Personalized Graduation Gift
... decoration:none} A:hover {color:#990000; text-decoration:none} </style> </head> <body link= Personalized Graduation Gifts - High School, College Graduation Gifts & Ideas ...
http://www.personalized-g ...alizedgraduationgift/

22. native american collections, inc.
... her own - with a distinctive style of decoration. Rondina won BEST OF SHOW at INDIAN MARKET ... ... after returning to Shonto after her high school graduation. She soon thereafter created her own ...
http://www.nativepots.com/h-npottery.html

23. Fraktur
... met the family's cultural need for color and decoration, as well as the desire to document the ... ... confirmation, marriage, even high school graduation. Such certificates were now in the ...
http://www.antiquesandthearts.com/archive/frak.htm

24. Ames High School Alumni Association Reunion Page
... you have photos of the 1974 graduation, how about a current action ... your reservation. ID Last (High School) Last (Now) First Middle ... font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; text-align: general ...
http://www.ahsalum.org/reunion_2004.html

25. Carrollton High School
... graduated from Carrollton High School and studied three years at ... Reserve on May 19, 1968 in graduation ceremonies at Central ... the Nation's third highest decoration for combat heroism. The ...
http://www.carrolltonhs.c ...ates/remembrance.html

26. Graduation High Party School Supply
... HOME ©1998 2004 ... To Open In A New Window ] High School Graduation Supply ... ... School Graduation Online Party Store, Party Supplies, Party Favors, And Party Decoration. Fast ...
http://www.supplies-area. ...hool-supply_5943.html

27. Sitemap
... Cameras High Heels High School Football High School Graduation Gift Ideas Hiking Boots Hilton Hotel ... ... Decorating Stores Home Decorating Tips Home Decoration Home Decoration Catalog Home Decorations ...
http://www.smartmp.com/sitemap.html

28. CyberPlainsman - Laramie High School - Front Page
... submitting a hall decoration, the sponsors had a ... 22 at Cheyenne East High School. full story > ... years ago, the all-school musical, the first ... Day Oct. 11, graduation orders, an article ...
http://www.myhighschooljo ...m.org/wy/laramie/lhs/

29. National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library - Profile of CHE
... previous year, Severa had attended a high school graduation in Cedar Rapids and was very impressed ... ... of the White Lion ñ the highest civilian decoration of the Republic ñ on Severa "for helping to ...
http://www.ncsml.org/coll ...organizations-che.htm

30. ipod discount
... case law community service for georgia high school graduation arkansas community colleges ipod ... ... resources discount ipod mini " style="text-decoration:none; color:white"> discount ipod mini ...
http://www.i-pod-search.com/ipod/ipoddiscount_2/

31. Graduation Cap
... template for graduation cap cap and gown for high school graduation graduation cap tassel make a ... ... graduation cap graduation annoucements graduation cap decoration graduation cap and clip art college ...
http://www.campusy.net/graduation-cap/

32. Free Directory
... party ideas group therapy ideas themes home decoration ideas hair ideas ideas for science fair ... ... name ideas for decorating baby room high school graduation party ideas holiday ideas ideas for ...
http://y.myftpsite.net/ideas2/index.html

33. Painting sea sponge
... Love chinese calligraphy Unique high school graduation gift Valentine day gift for woman ... ... now more and more popular in the US as room decoration. painting sea sponge is fantastic. And it's ...
http://www.chinesepaintin ...paintingseasponge.htm

34. ASSOCIATE DEGREE PREP PROGRAM
... on the icon and see the latest Operation Decoration news APPLIED ACADEMICS/ ASSOCIATE DEGREE ... ... direct entry into the workplace after high school graduation or continuation of study which leads ...
http://www.gactc.com/associate_degree_.htm

35. Richard Lowe Autobiography
... The Liquor Cabinet Jensenís Market High School Graduation Day College I Discover Computers ... ... serif; color: #666666; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none" title="previous five sites" href ...
http://www.richardlowe.net/

36. Idea - Computer Idea Enterprises, LLC - Home Page
... idea hypnotherapist high school graduation gift idea bridal shower idea new idea wedding centerpiece idea teacher gift idea idea pl home based business idea wedding decoration idea era hypnosis ...
http://idea.bestindexes.com/

37. Oak Glen High School Bear Facts
... thinking about early graduation. Mr. Kelsey Hayward ... yourselves of your last high school year (if you ... Doors throughout the school are covered with foil ... Holly was used as a decoration to remind the ...
http://oghs.hanc.k12.wv.u ...NEWSPAPR/December.htm

38. Identity in a Mountain Family
... Nora is a rising senior at the local high school. Cessie Snyder Moore is one of Patrick ... ... aspects of mountain culture such as canning, Decoration Day and handicrafts, most informants ...
http://www.anthro.appstat ...s/ethno97/staley.html

39. Entertaining Reviews
... daughter is graduating from high school in a couple of months (June ... quick and easy to read. Graduation: Celebrate with Style ... up to time and extreme decoration (even by 7-year-old boys ...
http://www.e-book-store.c .../Entertaining_61.html

40. Health & Fitness Information Guide & Resources Directory
... you will find the best affordable trucking school services! You can find a lot of nice homes in ... ... all of LexmarkÄôs inkjet printers, achieving high-quality output is effortless as special paper ...
http://www.healthandfitnessresourcesdir.com/

41. High School - Sports and Activities
... as they look forward to graduation. Senior activities include ... Fall Activities Night in the high school commons. Other activities ... field trips; Christmas hall decoration; election of Coalition ...
http://www.akronop.org/high/high_activities.html

42. Graduation Present
... picture graduation friends forever graduation decoration college graduation announcement graduation ... ... significant goal Whether it s a college graduation high school graduation or a home ... Graduation ...
http://www.presents1.com/graduation-present/

43. Alpha's Adventures: Wedding Archives
... o/ We wished that they could have stayed longer, but they had to come back to go to Sarah's (Greg's niece's) high school graduation. In the morning, Jo and I met up to take a scuba refresher course ...
http://alpha.kungfoohamps ...es/wedding/index.html

44. Graduation Invitations Announcements Cards, Personalized Graduation Cards
... for College Graduation, High School Graduation, 8th ... Kindergarden, Nursing School, Graduation Party ... Announcements Graduation Invitations ... Wedding Favors Decoration Ideas Unique ...
http://www.invitations-sh ....asp?linkcat/Weddings

45. graduation gifts - presentpicker.com
... Gift Wrap Party Decor High School Graduation Gift ... want to encourage that school can be enjoyable and ... gift for any type of graduation event, formal or ... a wrap or package decoration that matches there ...
http://presentpicker.com/ ...ation/graduation.html

46. Thank You Gift Ideas - Gift Ideas for Thank You - Thank You Presents and Gif...
... and cakes. If he or she likes interior decoration than you can gift them some good showpiece ... ... Anniversary Get Well Soon Good Luck Graduation High School Graduation Housewarming I am Sorry New ...
http://gift-ideas.ilovein .../thank-you-gifts.html

47. Give Me Some Ideas On Interior Designs - RHC.com
... ideas science project ... http://wedding-decoration-ideas.yazdian.com/ 19. Interior Designs ... ... decorating ideas graduation gift idea sweet 16 party ideas high school graduation party ideas ...
http://www.redhotchilli.c ...-interior-designs.htm

48. Easter 2003 Transcript
... that rivals any high mass And then it's high school graduation, college, the wedding rehearsal--you ... ... a cultural ritual--good music, breathtaking decoration, the heyday of both the florist and the ...
http://www.goodshepherd.kp.net/easter_2003.html

49. Family Works!: Post-High School Options
... to graduate from high school or you're a recent ... think that, upon graduation, they have two ... adults, apply to young high schoolers as well ... interior design and decoration, art, healthcare ...
http://www.princetononlin ...columns/posthigh.html

50. Finland Diary
... American high school graduation. Only the white ... The two graduated high school last week. (Lucian ... to the sea. With a good high-speed Internet ... magnificent interior decoration. We left on this ...
http://blogs.washingtonpo ...ary/travel/index.html

51. web page design school | our resources about web page design school
... Country: * High School Graduation Year: Select one: 2010 2009 ... company straight from high school and learned the tricks of ... org.uk ... co.uk Interior Decoration and Design Consultancy ...
http://www.2.web-design-p .../webpagedesignschool/

52. xmas stockings
... dinner party gifts graduation gifts high school graduation gifts for boys www jingandmike com ... ... 40th birthday good gifts for boyfriends xmas decoration oriental gifts valentines day gifts for ...
http://www.swaralaya.org/xmas-stockings.html

53. Everything Online Page 48
... football scouting software rope bed high school graduation announcement auto mechanic college crt ... ... mountain thermometer bass fishing wedding decoration travel poster milwaukee tool wicker ...
http://www.everything-online.com/4/index48.shtml

54. Gift Shop Online Store
... Gift Shop Hallmark Gift Store Halloween Decoration Gift Halloween Gift For Teacher Hand Painted ... ... Gift Registry Hershey Chocolate Gift High School Graduation Gift Idea History Of Valentine Day ...
http://www.giftshoponlinestore.com/index4.html

55. North Carolina State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners
... and the hands and feet, including the decoration of the fingernails and the application of ... ... of a high school diploma or a high school graduation equivalency certificate. (2) Payment ...
http://www.nccosmeticarts ...genstats/genstats.htm

56. Stonewall Jackson High School - SJRaiders.org
... spirit week decoration, class dances, graduation activities ... the class is a member of the school planning council. SPANISH ... Spanish, juniors and seniors in high school. All members must be ...
http://www.sjraiders.org/activ.htm

57. Vietnam War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Sgt. Peter C. Lemon
... of Honor -- the nation's most prestigious war decoration, donated it to the high school to inspire ... ... grade point average. After his high school graduation, Lemon went to work in Saginaw for a ...
http://www.medalofhonor.com/PeterLemon.htm

58. NSCC Programs & Courses -
... the admission requirements? High School Graduation Diploma, or ... tools. As a requirement for graduation, students must obtain ... Dessert I 45hrs COOK 1108 Decoration Work I 45hrs COOK 1109 Pies ...
http://www.nscc.ca/Learni ...g=BPAT&pln=BAKPASTART