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. Valedictorian Speeches, Validictorian Speeches, Salutotarian Speeches and Hi...
... and High School Graduation Speeches Your Free Graduation Speeches Online Valedictorian Speeches ... ... class in high school!. So what's next? You need to give a speech? But you don't have any idea? Don't ...
http://www.jijbab.com/

2.
Your Best Resource for High School Graduation Gift Idea Information High School Graduation Gift Idea High School Graduation ï College Graduation ï Home 2004 Graduation Gift 2005 Graduation Gift 2005 ...
http://www.mygraduationgi ...olgraduationgiftidea/

3. High School Graduation Gift Ideas - FindGift.com
... Home > Occasions > Graduation > High School Refine Search for Graduation Gift Ideas High School for Him for Her Any Price $0 - $10 $11 - $25 $26 - $50 $51 - $100 $101 - $200 $200+ Related ...
http://www.findgift.com/O ...aduation/High-School/

4. Personalized Graduation Gift
... Graduation gift idea for high school or college. Personalization available with commencement date, name and school. College logo blankets. Shipping nationwide. Keepsakes Etc - Over 1000 theme throw ...
http://www.personalized-g ...alizedgraduationgift/

5. Latest Christmas gift idea for baby News and Christmas gift idea for baby Re...
... a registry, and links to online gift shops. Christmas gift idea - ... Romantic gift idea. High school graduation gift idea. Bridal shower gift idea. Baby gift idea. College graduation gift idea ...
http://www.cute-baby-gift ...ift-idea-for-baby.htm

6. High school ged testing
... a more it shalbe either at a standstill or while idea of it may be had working out its spake as ... ... quark no printer options barrington high school graduation ceremony outdoor led school sign ...
http://high-school-ged-testing.dacus.kepno.pl/

7. Birthday Gift Idea For Man
... Bathroom Idea Associated Offers 30th Birthday Gift Idea High School Graduation Gift Idea Best Man Gift Gift Ideas For Mother's Day Present Idea Dad Gift Present For Man Mothers Day Gift Ideas Gift ...
http://www.personalizedma ...rthdaygiftideaforman/

8. Gift Graduation Idea Law School
... law school graduation gift. graduation gift suggestions. graduation ... college graduation gift idea. high school graduation gift idea. law school graduation gift ideas ... 1st Online Gifts -Gift ...
http://www.kl-gifts.com/g ...-idea-law-school.html

9. Free High School Graduation Speeches
... have reviewed in our research of Free High School Graduation Speeches and in an effort to find the ... ... you suggested that continued training is a good idea for small-business owners. That might be true ...
http://www.speaking100.in ...aduation-Speeches.cfm

10. Varsityedge.com, athletic scholarships, college athletic recruiting, high sc...
... to explain why each item and idea is important to you. We dont ... who run services that assist high school athletes. Our advice is to ... the way they calculate the graduation rate and will begin to ...
http://www.varsityedge.co ...in/v+common+questions

11. Graduation Gifts Money Clip - Gold and Silver Plated Money Clips - Personali...
... Money Clip Click to Enlarge A popular gift idea. This Brushed Gold Plated Money Clip has style ... ... This gold tone Money Clip makes a superb graduation, ... (more) Your personalized message can be ...
http://www.engravedgiftss ...ey+clip&occasion=grad

12. High-School Watches - Logo Watches Graduation Gift
... fundraising idea. Profit... for your High-School. Team Up: Colleges & Universities, High Schools and Grade Schools have for years been successfully using Logo Watches as graduation gifts, for ...
http://www.fotowatch.com/high-school-watches.htm

13. graduation high idea school scrapbooking
... event in your life or your families life with this info packed computer software on graduation high idea school scrapbooking. Click Here For More Information Most Recent Article On Graduation High ...
http://www.affordable-scr ...ool-scrapbooking.html

14. Highschool Dance - music DJ service in Saskatoon Saskatchewan for High Schoo...
... just the tunes spinning. We entertain more high school students in Saskatchewan every year than any ... ... Have you ever been to a party where your DJ's idea of a good time was playing the "Chicken Dance ...
http://www.nightowlaudio. ...highschool_dance.html

15. How to Build A Better High School
... a few weeks before graduation, says it was a ... and aim for medical school. Parents and even ... might cringe at the idea of turning adolescence ... the American public high school, a 184-year-old ...
http://www.washingtonpost .../AR2005051001100.html

16. unique birthday gift idea
... for dad, creative gift idea, great gift idea, 50th birthday gift idea, bridal gift idea, high school graduation gift idea, first anniversary gift idea, unique gift idea, romantic gift idea, and ...
http://www.having-a-baby- ...e-birthday-gift-idea/

17. high school graduation results by www.pueblograduation.com
... Gifts For an engraved gift idea for everyone from the ... Our creative and affordable graduation banners will be the perfect ... to help celebrate the new high school grad. Secure and easy ...
http://www.pueblograduati ...ograduation.com&cat=1

18. History of Galt High School, California, CA
... which took place just before graduation. In the first two years of ... unknown Once again, the Galt High School District faces growing ... come for our area to accept the idea that a second high school is ...
http://www.galthistory.or ...ry/school/highschool/

19. E Online Classes - The High School Dalai Lama: Earn Your Online Teaching Degree
... difference in the lives of high school kids in your community ... portfolios, will give you an idea of the progress your students ... the campus route. Faster Graduation. Often times, you can ...
http://www.e-online-class ...school-dalai-lama.php

20. Laurel Springs Home School: Kindergarten - High School Home Schooling Curric...
... School is a great idea for students who wish ... the brochure under the High School courses. The ... requirements in your school district.Top How does ... yearbook, a prom and graduation, and more. Top Can ...
http://www.laurelsprings.com/faq.asp

21. Unique Personalized Graduation Gift Idea - College, High School, All Ages
... College Graduation Gift Idea ï ï High School Graduation Gift ï ï Graduation Gift For Man ï ï Graduation Gift For Woman ï ï Christian Graduation Gift ï ï Graduation Gift Kindergarten ï ï Graduation ...
http://www.personalheadli ...tideas/graduation.php

22. Personalized Graduation Gifts - High School, College Graduation Gifts & Idea...
... Our personalized graduation gifts make great High School Graduation gifts and College Graduation Gifts alike. Give a unique touch to your graduation gifts by adding free engraved initials, or for a ...
http://www.monogrammedgifts.com/graduation.asp

23. Ebco
... Page: 1 2 3 Next 20 Quick Links echo chainsaws baby shower idea high school graduation gifts Stebco wholesale sports Mrs. Fields Home | Site Map | Privacy | Contact | Product Database © 2003 All ...
http://www.itsapolka.com/more/Ebco

24. Cake decorating chat board archives...a wealth of information!
... yikes), Erotica Little Mermaid Cake EASY first birthday cake Tractor Cake Shoe cake Pink roses and leaves (choc taste) Boy High School Graduation Idea for family reunion cake Graduation from nursing ...
http://www.members.carol. ...archives/archives.htm

25.
... personalized graduation gift idea. Make your graduate smile with their own unique personalized graduation gift Looking for a great graduation gift for a high school or college student? Check out ...
http://www.hwashen.com/Hi ...-Graduation-Gifts.htm

26. graduation gifts, graduation gift ideas, college-high school graduation gift...
... Whether you need a graduation gift idea for high school of college graduation, choosing that graduation gift is a careful process for each specific grad. Crystals Gemstones Jewelry Store has the ...
http://www.crystals-gemst .../Graduation_gifts.htm

27. First Amendment Schools - Involve Your School: High School Profile
... High school, a small high school in rural ... the longer term, the school has had a greater ... referrals, a higher graduation rate and higher ... s support for the idea that the purpose of ...
http://www.firstamendment ...?item=federal_hocking

28. Jostens - Celebrating a High School Graduation
... going on to college after graduation, it is not for everyone ... typically available at the high school career center. In addition ... your next step is, its a good idea to do a little research on ...
http://www.jostens.com/graduation/steps.asp

29. High School Graduation Gift Ideas
... Gift baskets are a great idea for any occasion including Christmas, Birthdays, Anniversarys, Weddings, Baby Showers, High School Graduation, Housewarming, and Retirement. Gift baskets are also ideal ...
http://www.novelgiftbaske ...hschoolgiftideas.html

30. CMason High School study notes
... Charlotte Mason High School Study Guide This page is my study notes written from our group's discussion of High School the CM Way. I may also add some useful links for High School in general. Page ...
http://homepage.bushnell. ...uts/CMhighschool.html

31. graduation party idea
... idea fun graduation party idea idea for graduation party invitation wording graduation party decorating idea high school graduation party idea graduation open house party idea diane graduation idea ...
http://www.articimo.com/graduation_party_idea.htm

32. Personalized University, College and High School Graduation Gifts
... you care for the man or woman graduating from high school, college or university. You can personalize ... ... day. Give the time honored graduation present of Luggage A unique gift idea that will be remembered ...
http://www.wealthwood.com/graduation_gifts.htm

33. Basic High School Graduation Requirements
... number of credits needed for graduation to: 26 - credits for school ... Education Act (IDEA) requires that states and school districts ... there is a need to promote high expectations for all students ...
http://digital.baltimorec ...Grad_Requirements.asp

34. BrandNameGift.com ►► Brand Name Gift ● Domain Name for Sal...
... brand brand name cosmetics name brand cloths name brand sneakers unique wedding gift idea high school graduation gift idea gift idea for dad baptism gift idea christening gift idea name brand stores ...
http://www.brandnamegift.com/

35. South Atlantic High School Sailing (SAISA)
... body for high school sailing. To get an idea of the regattas ... San Diego, CA; 2nd - Antilles School/St. Thomas, VI; 3rd - St ... on Collegiate Sports - Graduation Rates of Student Athletes ...
http://www.saisa.org/

36. High School Helps
... in 1998) Sharnessa's Graduation (in 1996) LAB ... Senior / Junior High School" section of our ... Resources for Sr./Jr. High page.) NEW BONUS FORMS ... it would be a good idea for our daughter to ...
http://www.homeschooloasi ...school_helps_main.htm

37. 50th Birthday Party Idea
... party idea 1st birthday party idea anniversary party idea party favor idea adult party idea high school graduation party idea teen birthday party idea child party idea halloween party idea first ...
http://www.badparty.com/50th-birthday-party-idea/

38. Find :: Golf Gift :: Boon :: Uk Web Directory
... uk/ Try also: Birthday Gift Idea | Valentine Gift | Baby Gift Basket | Baptism Gift | Baby Gift | Gift Fruit | Wedding Gift Idea | High School Graduation Gift Home | Search | Products | UK Directory ...
http://www.boon.co.uk/advertisers/find/golf_gift/

39. High School Graduation Gift Ideas - Unique & Personalized College Graduation...
... message. Our College & High School Graduation Gift Teddy Bears ... gifts, Mother's Day gifts, Graduation gifts, Sweetest Day gifts ... or chocolate. It's a great gift idea and a creative alternative to ...
http://shop.store.yahoo.c ...tion-gifts-ideas.html

40. High School Renewal Newsletter
... She came up with the idea for the Boys Group to ... in the classroom or in school, teachers and ... have passed and graduation day is here, all ... in the fall. Fenway High School Project Week at ...
http://www.highschoolrenewal.org/news.asp

41. Retirement Gift Idea | Fun Retire.com Relax!
... gift idea, corporate gift idea, great gift idea, high school graduation gift idea, unusual gift idea, retirement gift idea, baby shower gift idea, unique wedding gift idea, groomsmen gift idea ...
http://80.funretire.com/retirementgiftidea/

42. SCHOOL STUDENT: High School; www.students.net
... education. The idea was first instituted ... students follow high school by attending a CGEP ... CEGEPs are three years. High schools in the ... as a requirement for graduation in Ontario. In ...
http://www.students.net/s ...school/highschool.asp

43. Midpark High School Class of 1981 - MESSAGES - Alumni Reunion - Find Midpark...
... that attends Laurel School. Would love to hear ... Forge via Ford Jr High ( Brook Park - raised ... 21 Brian Winter Great idea for the site. It was ... classmates, say from graduation parties or ...
http://www.midpark1981.co ...dpark.alumni.messages

44. 40th birthday gift idea - gift for business
... colorado gift basket ordering from a computer 40th birthday gift idea, online from the safety of your home. baby gift idea high school graduation gift jewish holiday calendar 2003 custom wedding gift
http://www.i-gift-baskets ...r-business/index.html

45. Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction home page
... Librarians Burmaster announces grant to develop school data system The U.S. Department of Education ... ... publish annual achievement, attendance, and graduation data for students in grades three through 12 ...
http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/

46. Handmade Greeting Cards :: Hand Painted Greeting Cards :: Original Poems :: ...
... idea for dad gift idea for mom teacher gift idea cheap gift ideas personalized gift idea high school graduation gift idea high school graduation greeting cardgoing away gift idea art work wholesale ...
http://www.wallacepetzold.com/

47. High School/SLC Application Process
... get their first or second choice, it is a good idea that your third choice is an "Attendance Area ... ... register for a high school program. Call 612.668.1840 to make an appointment. Graduation Requirements ...
http://highschoolchoice.m ...lication_Process.html

48. Printed personalized Reunion items, promotional items printed, favors for re...
... WEDDING / BABY / GRADUATION / MAZOL TOV ... own message, logo or idea on any item! Get it or ... By putting your school colors or mascot on ... class reunions, high school reunions, theme ...
http://www.thediscountprinter.com/reunions.htm

49. High School / Graduation Sayings - Rub-ons from Me and My Big Ideas
... and Refills Die-cuts and Frames Embellishments Idea Books and CDs Organization and Storage Paper ... ... By Theme Sale Items Clearance Items High School / Graduation Sayings - Rub-ons from Me and My Big ...
http://www.cropaholics.com/product2478.html

50. The most popular Valentines Gift http: gift.flower.lt gift-idea-for-mom wedd...
... Gifts Right Now > Valentines Gift > http: > > gift.flower.lt > gift-idea-for-mom > weddingfloweruk.htm Try These Top Rated weddingfloweruk.htm Sites: Copyright © 2003 Gifts Right Now
http://www.giftsrightnow. ...m/weddingfloweruk.htm

51. Sweet 16 Party Idea
Sweet 16 Party Idea FireRocket Search Related Searches after prom party idea anniversary party idea party favor idea adult party idea high school graduation party idea teen birthday party idea child ...
http://www.sweet4.com/sweet-16-party-idea/

52. Engagement Party Idea
Engagement Party Idea FireRocket Search Related Searches going away party idea pre teen birthday party idea anniversary party idea party favor idea adult party idea high school graduation party idea ...
http://www.dxf.org/engagement-party-idea/

53. resources, advice and articles
... LyricHigh School Fund Raiser IdeaHigh School Graduation Song ListHigh School Math OnlineHigh School ... ... Track RankingHigh School Wrestling RuleHigh Schools In Miami FloridaHighland High School ...
http://www.school-find.com/schools/

54. Memories of Peonies and My High-School Graduation
... remind me of my high-school graduation in the spring of 1955, from Buckley-Loda High School, Buckley, Illinois. I'm not ... took last year. But you get the idea. The photo shown here is from ...
http://www.barbarabrabec. ...school-graduation.htm