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. High School Graduation Gifts
... and favors for the best graduation party ever from Party411.com. Monogrammedgifts.com has personalized monogrammed and engraved graduation gifts for high school, college or special event ...
http://www.hwashen.com/Hi ...-Graduation-Gifts.htm

2. Olson and Wilcock family photo gallery
... enlargement & caption. Charles Olson's family of origin Connie Wilcock's family of origin The Washington years Kate Kate's high-school graduation party Connie Memories of Charles Olson | contents page
http://charlesolson.ca/fi ...milyphotogallery.html

3. Sedona Journal of Emergence
... My son returned from an all-night high-school graduation party with a Sony PlayStation he had won in a drawing. Although it was the second largest prize, it was the one he really wanted. He explained ...
http://www.sedonajournal.com/sje/news.cfm?id=31

4. Source of the Nihil - Texas Anti-Drinking Law Spawns Rager
... thought they were doing their oldest son Eric a favor then they offered to host his high school graduation party, and to provide alcohol for him and his friends, as long as nobody drove drunk. In ...
http://www.sourceofthenih ...ndex.cfm?articleID=26

5. Livermore class pictures: listed by year of high school graduation
... links: Year of high school graduation: 1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 ... class minstrel show, Livermore High School, 1954-1955 Elementary ... Elementary School, 1944-1945 Related pictures: Pool party at Arlene ...
http://www.livermoreclasspics.org/index_class.htm

6. Good High School Graduation Songs First of and more about Good High School G...
... Songs >> Music Directory Good High School Graduation Songs- Good Holiday Songs- Good ... ... Good Music Rap- Good Music Techno- Good Party Songs- Good Portable Am Radios- Good Pump Up ...
http://www.music18.find-more4.biz/music-46.html

7. Treehouse For Kids - Little Wishes
... Little Wishes "Wish List" High School Yearbook and ASB fees: $105 School Pictures: $22 6th Grade Outdoor Camp (Camp Thunderbird): $170 High School Graduation Party Fee: $50 School Uniform: $70 Piano ...
http://www.treehouseforki ...ograms/little_wishes/

8. A Beat Away Entertainment
... Sincerely," Kathy Drew High School graduation party Private Party =================================================== "Dear Joe, you were a delight and very professional! You were very easy going and ...
http://www.abeataway.com/references.cfm

9. Jennifer's High School Graduation Party - 2000
Jennifer's High School Graduation Party 2000 ( Click on the small version of the picture to see a larger picture ) Jennifer unwrapping her graduation presents. The bunch. Jennifer and Micki. Judy ...
http://www.checketts.net/ .../gradparty/index.html

10. A High School Graduation Present: Israel and Egypt - Travelogue
... Graduation Present: Israel and Egypt A High School Graduation Present: Israel and Egypt - Travelogue ... ... After the ceremonies more people for the wedding party arrived onto the table our group was using, so ...
http://www.travel-library ...ael/balabanov+15.html

11. Karaoke DJ - A Sound Investment DJ
... it!" Mary/All-night High School Graduation Party "It was so much fun. You had both old songs and new songs that everyone enjoyed singing, or listening to others sing. The best part was how you kept it ...
http://www.asoundinvestment.com/karaoke.htm

12. It's A Wonderful Life (1946)
... At Harry's 1928 high-school graduation party, George is heartily greeted by old friends including Sam Wainwright (Frank Albertson), a recent college graduate. Sam is known for prefacing conversations ...
http://www.filmsite.org/itsa.html

13. Matt's High School Graduation Party
Matt's High School Graduation Party 6/21/2003 Back Movie - Not much picture, but there's sound Movie 2 Movie 3
http://www.nordlingphotos.com/mattgraduation.html

14. High school graduation party ideas
High school graduation party ideas Host a spectacular high school graduation party without breaking the bank. It can be done! Got teens? Got a senior in high school expecting to graduate soon? If so ...
http://www.webguru.com/sc ...ation-party-ideas.htm

15. Laura's Gallery - High School/Graduation Day
... FILE 9/11 Graduation Day Me in my cap and gown. Rate this file (No vote yet) File information Filename: graduate.jpg Album name: Laura / High School Keywords: graduate gown cap party Taken with ...
http://www.smiling-somewh ...m=random&cat=0&pos=-5

16. Graduation HQ - High School Graduation Party
... Gifts College Graduation Invitations College Graduation Party College Graduation Rates Football Graduation Rates Georgia High School Graduation Test Graduation Graduation Address Graduation ...
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17. Personalized Graduation Gifts from Custom Gifts and Monograms, Personalized ...
... Towel Woman's Slippers Wedding Shower Bridal Party Bridesmaid Body Wrap Bridesmaid Head Towel ... ... Wrap Man's Body Wrap Couple's Towel Slippers Graduation Boy's Body Wrap Campus Tote Bag CD/DVD Case ...
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18. Generation Next: The New Billy Graham¬ - MSNBC TV Live - MSNBC.com
... One humid Wednesday morning in June my biggest concern was how many liters of cola should I buy for my niece's high school graduation party. 48 hours later, I was taking off on a 14 hour plane ride ...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7910424/

19. Montclair High School Project Graduation
... Project Graduation is an all-night party for Montclair High School graduates that begins immediately after graduation and continues until the next morning. It is an opportunity for the graduates to ...
http://montclairpta.org/d ....html?siteid=PROJGRAD

20. High school graduation gift - Graduation Gifts, Graduation Gift Ideas and Gr...
... Summer 2005, Notre Dame Magazine Now that's some graduation gift. By Ed Cohen. <Page 1 of 1> send-off party in Madison for area high school graduates heading to Notre Dame as freshmen. The ...
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21. 574 balance new shoes
... I had quite 574 balance new shoes new a high-school graduation party- from what I remember of it, anyway. She took the pipe back from Sam. 574 balance new shoes store Im going to need a while to get ...
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22. Democrat & Chronicle: Local News
... Another inquired about whether he had missed his older brother's high school graduation party. The party had to be postponed. Lisa Kemp, a nurse who cared for Keegan in the intensive care unit, was ...
http://www.democratandchr ...1003/NEWS01/510030318

23. High School Graduation @ The Telus Convention Centre
Formal High School Graduation @ The Telus Convention Centre (C) 2005
http://70.72.166.251/even ...04 shs grad1/cat.html

24. River Valley Club >> Lebanon, NH
... Host a high school graduation party, corporate event, reunion, dance, wedding or sport day. Capacity- 1200. POOLS Try a party, poolside! An intimate setting for a corporate cocktail party or kick it ...
http://www.rivervalleyclu ...icle/view/3839/1/456/

25. The Jim Show! - School and Camp Shows
... Joan Smith, Organizer, Canton High School Graduation Party "It's hard to find an entertainer who thrills both students and parents in the same audience, but Jim does it!! There are no worries about ...
http://www.thejimshow.com ...ts/schools_camps.html

26. Rose Hill High School - Project Graduation 2005
... Gym. The High School Gym will not be available for Graduation or the Project Graduation Party as in the past years. Graduation will be held on Monday, May 22nd at 7:00 p.m. at Century II. Project ...
http://www.usd394.com/rhh ...Graduation 2006.shtml

27. North Eugene High School: Graduation Committee
GRADUATION PARTY COMMITTEE The Graduation Party Committee is a volunteer group of parents that plans the all-night, alcohol-free, graduation party. 2005 Coordinator Karene Gottfried Karene Gottfried ...
http://www.nehs.lane.edu/1_parents/grad_commit.htm

28. New Page 1
... Lyme/Old Lyme High School, Music Room at 7 p.m. Boy Scouts: Monday, Mile Creek School at 7 p.m. Cub Scout Pack 27: Fourth Tuesday, Mile Creek School cafetorium at 6:30 p.m. Commission on Aging: Third ...
http://www.lymeline.com/regmeets.htm

29. Jennifer Kaplan graduation party from Marlboro High school
Jennifer Kaplan graduation party from Marlboro High school Date:: June 30 th 2002 Location: Marlboro, NJ Items rented: 20' x 30' Frame Tent on patio, 9' x 25' click on images below for larger picture ...
http://www.millersrentals ..._graduation_party.htm

30. Word Humor & Funny Definitions
... Funny definitions: ABASH:A high school graduation party. ABDICATE:To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach. ACCOUNT:A Countess's husband. ACRE: Literally means the amount of land plowable in ...
http://www.butlerwebs.com/jokes/definitions.htm

31. Graduation - High School Graduation Gift
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32. Barbie's High School Graduation Party (1998)
This section has pictures from my friend Barbie's high school graduation party. My second co-ed sleep over! The common image of Tim and Barbie Tim Shaw and Barbie Thelen standing nose to nose. (A ...
http://www.speakerender.c ...tos/barbieGrad98.html

33. Feed Validator Results: http://www.opbarnes.com/blog/index.rss20
... cgi/2005/06/06#CornHole</link> <description>This past weekend my wife and I traveled to Cincinnati to attend my first cousin's high school graduation party (he's 12 years younger than me ...
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34. Emily's Graduation Party
Emily's Graduation Party [Home] [Up] christinahope.jpg crowd.jpg cupgame1.jpg cupgame2.jpg cupgame3.jpg dscn0762.jpg emilycuttingcake.jpg emilymeredith.jpg emilymerediththomas.jpg emilyrick.jpg ...
http://www.mohea.com/photoalbums/emilygraduation/

35. ParaPundit: Texas Has Lowest High School Graduation Rates
... high Hispanic school graduation rates. Note that 53 ... states, in terms of school performance. Now it ... much more a center for high technology in the ... the formation of a new party with clearly-stated ...
http://www.parapundit.com/archives/002225.html

36. Party Ideas - High School Graduation Party Ideas
... Ideas Halloween Party Game Ideas Halloween Party Ideas Harvest Party Ideas Hawaiian Party Ideas High School Graduation Party Ideas Holiday Party Ideas Home Party Ideas House Warming Party Ideas ...
http://www.partyideashq.c ...graduationpartyideas/

37. Graduation Invitation - High School Diploma, College Diploma, Gift Card, Par...
... com Purple Flowers Graduation Green Flowers Graduation Graduation Caps Spring Flowers Graduation Caps Balloons Celebration Rainbow & Graduation Cap School Books Graduation Graduation Party ...
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38. h
... of american education high school graduation poems historic building high school high school graduation party ideas high school drug testing high school sports medicine home education high school ...
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39. Langley High School Class of 2006 All Night Graduation Party
home candygram capitol steps tickets volunteers What: Langley High School All Night Graduation Party When: June 16-17, 2006 Where: Langley High School Every year since 1988, Langley parents, in ...
http://www.saxonangp.com/

40. The Champagne Crew: TK Series - High School Graduation
... Aug) July 4 Block Party (Jul) Weekend at DJ's ... in OC (Jun) Dub J HS Graduation (Jun) A weekend ... Sep) First day of school (Aug) Jake's ... css TK Series - High School Graduation ´ TK ...
http://www.champagnecrew. ...t/archives/000330.php

41. Gallery :: Angela's High School Graduation Party.
Angela's High School Graduation Party. 42 images in this album on 5 pages [slideshow] [login] Gallery: Gallery Album: Patty's Photo Album 1 2 3 4 5 HPIM0330.JPG Viewed: 36 times. HPIM0331.JPG Viewed ...
http://www.oleszkiewicz.n ...b/gallery/AngelaParty

42. Graduation Gifts, graduation, high school graduations, college graduations
... s for a more in-depth search Graduation gifts Birthday cards Birthday greetings Graduation gift ideas Birthday party supplies Birthdays Valentine gift ideas Fathers day gifts Birthday gifts for him ...
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43. Activities | 2001-06-16 Graduation
Curtis High School Graduation CHS Graduation
http://archives.derekrowl ...1-06-16graduation.htm

44. Graduation Party Invitations, Graduation Announcements at Announcements and ...
... Vellum Designs Vellum Jackets Graduation Party Invitations Personalize these party invitations for a high school graduation party invitation, college graduation party, graduation announcement, pre ...
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45. BobtheKing Dot Com: Craig High School Graduation Parties
... page for all the Craig High School graduation parties. I seem to be ... meaningless come June 9th when school is over. Plus this way we can ... days. Feel free to come to my party on the 25th if you're in the ...
http://www.bobtheking.com ...raduation-parties.php

46. David Fotland's Home Page
... I met Wendy Rubin on May 31, 1975, at a high school graduation party, and we were married on May 15, 1982. We have two sons, Jonathan (born March 6, 1990), and Alexander (born October 25, 1992). My ...
http://www.smart-games.com/david.html

47. Orlanod Prom Night Limousine Service - Prom - Graduation - H2 Hummer, Kissim...
... Web Design by 911 Solutions, LLC Our Keywords Prom Night, Orlando, Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista , Winter Springs, Daytona, High School Seniors, High school graduation party, Lake Buena Vista Limo ...
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48.
... Cards with Banner HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATIONS High School Graduation Invitations High School Graduation Party & Open House Invitations High School Graduation Announcements High School Graduation ...
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49. Graduation - graduation invitation sample
... 2005 Graduation Charm 2005 Graduation Song 8th Grade Graduation Party After College Graduation Announcement Card Graduation Arkansas High School Graduation Knight Player Rate Graduation Open House ...
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50. Education Information - Your resource for finding great education articles
... High School Graduation Poems (15) ...some will be good and some will be bad; these poems will share powerful memories with the entire class. When someone writes a graduation poem, they usually do so ...
http://users.telenet.be/education/

51.
... Garden Forums| Home Forums| Hortiplex| FAQs| Glossary| Resources Return to the Entertaining Forum | Post a Follow-Up High School Graduation Party Posted by Crystal01 (My Page) on Tue, Feb 8, 05 at 10 ...
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52. High School Graduation Announcements, High School Graduation Invitations, Cards
... Homeschool Graduation Announcements Invitations 8th Grade/Middle School/Junior High School Graduation Party & Open House Invitations High School Graduation Announcements Invitations ...
http://www.graduationcard ...party.php?maincatid=2

53. The History of Fremont New York by Peg Hogan
... Today we go with our niece to another nephewís high school graduation party. As you can imagine, all this fun has cut deeply into the time I would have spent researching and writing this book. Now it ...
http://www.fremonthistory.com/

54. Blue Sky Limos 2004 Bishop Mcnally High School Graduation Limousine Service
... Your Bishop McNally High School graduation may take place in the afternoon and evening ... ... Telus Conference for one Bishop McNally High School Limo Party Bus Package Price. Contact Information ...
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55. good graduation high school song
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56. We have the perfect high school graduation gifts for every occasion
... Ideas | Graduation | Groomsmen | High School Graduation | Home Interior | Housewarming | Irish ... ... Wedding Gift Ideas | Wedding Gifts | Wedding Party | Wine Gifts | Wine Accessories | This site was ...
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57. Features
... Can't Hardly Wait is set at a high school graduation party where teens that wouldn't usually get together do. There's the jocks, the white kids pretending to be gangsta' rappers, goths, preppies, etc ...
http://www.dangerousuniverse.com/features.asp

58. No Gift Here: Can't Hardly Wait Graduation Party Film
... mix. A boy tries to get the girl he has a crush on to finally notice him at this high school graduation party. There are your jocks, nerds, goffs and the like all sloshing around together drinking and ...
http://www.college.coolfreepages.com/p10.html

59. Past Performances
... Celebration - Nickerson, KS City of Caldwell Celebration - Caldwell, KS Andrew Breer's High School Graduation Party - Salina, KS Victorian Tea - Peabody, KS The Spartan - Newton, KS Morgan House ...
http://www.thefreestaters.com/past gigs.html

60. ☺ We've got high school graduation gift ideas - UK
... give away' online games and fun always a popular section. The Party starts at our Joke Shop. Wigs, high school graduation gift ideas masks, fancy dress, practical jokes and Billy Bob teeth ...
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