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. Richmond Kiwanis Club Special Events
... is Fundamental (RIF), Model High School Key Club, Leadership Madison County, Project Graduation - Madison Central High School, Project Graduation - Model High School, Hospice, Richmond Younger Women's ...
http://www.richmondkiwani ...ome/Events/Events.htm

2. South Brunswick High School - School Information - Project Graduation
... first major fundraiser for this year s Project Graduation will be the 1 st Annual Craft Show to be held on Saturday, Nov. 26 from 9am 3:00pm at the High School Over 70 crafters from various towns in ...
http://www.sbschools.org/ ...projectgraduation.php

3. Town of Kearny
... School PTA member NJ Education Association member Operation Friendship member Kearny High School Project Graduation, founding member and active participant Kearny High School Soccer Booster Club ...
http://www.kearnyusa.com/MeetmayorCouncil.asp

4. scholarship for high school student
... High School Artificial Turf (WABA) Girl Scouts Project Graduation (high school) Scholarship Fund (high school) Student Loan Fund (high school) School Parent Groups (Gibbons Fales Armstrong Hastings ...
http://www.feescholarship ...forhighschoolstudent/

5. Sequoia Union High School District - Technology Graduation Requirement: Test...
... computer Any computer related project accepted at the discretion of ... Portfolio Rubric Technology Graduation Check-Off Sheet << ... Back ] © 2005 Sequoia Union High School District. All Rights ...
http://www.seq.org/content/view/25/37/1/2/

6. 022 Pa. Code § 4.24. High school graduation requirements.
ß 4.24. High school graduation requirements. (a) Each school ... specify requirements for graduation in the strategic plan under ... completion of a culminating project and results of local ...
http://www.pacode.com/sec ...2/chapter4/s4.24.html

7. Upper Bucks Teen Help--Quakertown, PA
... all it's promise and wonder. | addiction | abuse | depression | eating disorders | pregnancy | home | links | stress | Katie Stauffer webmaster Quakertown Senior High School Graduation Project ( 2001)
http://www.enter.net/~artistlps/katie/home.html

8. Middletown High School Graduation Project
This page uses frames, but your browser doesn't support them.
http://mhs.fcps.org/MHSHo ...PowerPoint_031705.htm

9. High School Graduation Songs - Topic Powered by Groupee Community
... COMMUNITY Exploitation of Children High School Graduation Songs YOUTH NOISE Home | Terms of ... ... the views of Tides Center and its YOUTH NOISE project, or that of its staff. Home Explore Take ...
http://boards.youthnoise. ...83295355/m/6544024682

10. SUPPLEMENTAL SALARIES
... Honor Society High School Newspaper High School Parental Involvement, Coordinator High School Project Graduation, Director High School Project Lead The Way High School Quiz Bowl/Knowledge Master ...
http://cabot.k12.ar.us/Po ...LEMENTAL SALARIES.htm

11. Peter J. Mamos Magician Hypnotist Entertainer
... Pete will entertain you and your guests for your private party, corporate function, high school project graduation party or fund raiser . Please browse the site to learn more about Peter, his talents ...
http://www.petemamos.com/

12. John Glenn High School-Graduation Requirements
... year provided the student can project satisfactory completion of ... may be considered for graduation at the end of the fall ... B. Satisfactory evidence of high school or post secondary course ...
http://www.jghs.org/GUIDANCE/gradrequirements.html

13. BEST High School - LWSD Graduation Requirements for Classes of '05 and '06
... from Lake Washington School District high schools ... the districtís new graduation requirements. The ... As staff in each of our high schools have begun to ... plus the Culminating Project. The graduation ...
http://schools.lwsd.org/B ...endentgradrequire.htm

14. The planning of this project
... the life of high school sports Eden Prairie snares lacrosse ... planning of this project ...
http://www.startribune.com/526/story/404809.html

15. good graduation high school song
... graduation song... 1997 paul kane high school graduation song project ... Note: as the original recording was not of good quality (amplitude clipping), these two... http://www.ece.ualberta.ca/~jmhuang ...
http://song-1.5un.info/go ...ion-high-school-song/

16. Allen J OIiver Productions - Special Services
11/8/2005 12:00:39 PM Duncanville ISD Project Graduation High school graduation - a time of high expectations and fond memories! Seniors are elated and ready to celebrate. Special parties are planned ...
http://www.ajoproductions ...projectGraduation.asp

17. Graduation Packet
Governor Thomas Johnson High School Graduation Project A Culmination of Career Exploration and Development GR. GP. GRADUATION PROJECT GR GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS GR.GP. Graduation Project Standards ...
http://tjhs.fcps.org/Reeves/GradPack.htm

18. Project 720 - Paving the Road to High School Success - PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT...
... students in all grades of the high school. The first report will ... on the 04/05 school year at the beginning the project. 2. The ... retained in each grade level Graduation rate, including number of ...
http://www.project720.org/ProjectDetails

19. Liberty High School - Graduation Requirements
... SITE COUNCIL ALUMNI CONTACT. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Graduating ... and beyond (.pdf) Culminating Project Information (.pdf) 4 Year ... by TIP © 2004 Liberty High School. 16655 SE 136th St. Renton ...
http://www.liberty.issaqu .../gradRequirements.htm

20. Salem Center Mall Event Detail Page
... Senior Center Law Enforcement for Youth Luckiamute Valley Charter School McKay High School - Project Graduation McKay High School Guardsman Band Boosters McNary High School Peer Mentors North ...
http://www.salemcenter.co ...tDetail.asp?ecd=68147

21. Bayer Consumer Care - Community Relations
... Community Children's Museum Art in the Atrium Tri-County Scholarship Morristown High School "Project Graduation" Kiwanis Club of Morristown Morristown Rotary Junior League of Morristown Junior ...
http://www.bayercare.com/htm/community.htm

22. Linganore High School Graduation Project
... SAT Question of the day Graduation Project LHS Blackboard Site ... Public Schools Alumni Linganore High Profile Entire contents © 2005 ... are subject to change by the school system at any time. Frederick ...
http://lhs.fcps.org/gradproj/

23. Rockville High School Parents Group
... encourage parents and the Vernon-Rockville Community to become involved in Rockville High School. Project Graduation 2004 Rockville High School 70 Loveland Hill Road Vernon CT 06066 Disclaimer: We are ...
http://www.rhsparents.com/photo_albums.html

24. Woodworking for Women | what our readers say
... Pa. My 16-year-old daughter is working on the project for her high school graduation project. We are just starting to pre-fab the walls in a warehouse this month. (Please note: I am the FIRST woman to ...
http://www.woodworkingfor ...INDEX(Testimonials)=6

25. High School Graduation Requirements in the U.S. for LEP Students - NCEO Minn...
... outcomes and complete a project in one or more areas of ... require students to (a) pass graduation exams, and (b) achieve the ... of statesí policies for high school graduation, we found that ...
http://www.education.umn. ...ePubs/MnReport13.html

26. Palo Alto Unified School District - Parents - Curriculum - High School - Gra...
... Publication (Yearbook), Science Research Project Honors, Stage Technology, and Teaching ... ... administrator in order to meet high school graduation requirements. Forms are available with ...
http://pausd.org/parents/ ...m/high/grad_req.shtml

27. What's Playing and What's New at the Corral Theatre in Wimberley, Texas!
... September 16, 17 and 18 Friday, Saturday and Sunday Benefit for Wimberley High School Project Graduation SKY HIGH Rated PG, for action violence and some mild language. Starring Kurt Russell ...
http://www.corraltheatre.com/atthecorral.htm

28. Williamsport Area High School | Graduation Project Booklet
... Stevens Elementary School Curtin Middle School Lycoming Valley Middle School Roosevelt Middle School Williamsport Alternative Education School Williamsport Area High School Graduation Project Booklet
http://wasd.schoolwires.com/511865102085828/

29. Reviews
... Vickie Rogers and the Montgomery High School Project Graduation Committee Thanks for a job well done!!! The kids had a BLAST. All of the adults there said it was the best hypnotist show they had ever ...
http://www.sleepwithcj.com/reviews.htm

30. Ed-Tech Insider: High School Graduation to be Webcast
http://www.eschoolnews.com/eti/2005/05/000844.php

31.
http://web.gwhs.org/www/academics/requirements.php

32. Events - thechronicle.com
... m. Nov, 3 Spaghetti dinner Windham High School Project Graduation sponsors a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. in the school cafeteria, 355 High St., Willimantic. Menu includes spaghetti and meatballs ...
http://www.thechronicle.com/site/event/2005/11/3

33. Traverse Guide: Calendar of Events for Traverse City and Northern Michigan
... offered for young children, hot beverages and other concessions, to benefit Kingsley High School Project Graduation; 560 Clous Road, Kingsley. MUSIC Traverse Symphony Orchestra presents "Rachmaninoff ...
http://www.traverseguide. ...tainment/calendar.htm

34. Sponsor Events
... Little Sturgis Rally along with the Union County Fair sponsored the 2nd Annual Union County High School Project Graduation. The graduating Seniors were "locked up" from 10:00 p.m. till 7:00 a.m. This ...
http://www.littlesturgisr ...et/sponsor_events.htm

35. Finish Lines: Fort Worth, Texas | www.finishlinesrunning.com
... Benefits Granbury High School Project Graduation to keep graduation night safe. Apr 16 0800 ESA CANCER AWARENESS DAY 5K / 1 MILE, Lakeside Park, Duncanville, $15/$20/$25 ($12 for18 & Under)) by 4/6 ...
http://www.finishlinesrun ...ing_calendar2005.html

36. Graduation High Party School Supply
... Challenge NHS Levindale Tile Project High School Graduation ... Grades 912 School Supply List ...www.btfiloh.org/school.htm Search results for Idea Library Search results for Idea Library ... Supply ...
http://www.supplies-area. ...hool-supply_5943.html

37. Tors Project Graduation | Ball High School
... 2005 click here The first meeting for Project Graduation 2006 has been scheduled for Thursday, November 3rd at 5:30 p.m. in the Media Center at Ball High School. . .for further information, contact ...
http://www.torsprojectgraduation.org/

38. Franklin High School Project Graduation
Franklin High School Project Graduation Project Graduation is June 8, 2005! Permission slips must be returned to the Main Office by May 25 in order to participate. [ Home ] [ What is Project ...
http://www.franklinboe.or ...tgraduation/index.htm

39. EPAA Vol. 11 No. 1 Dorn: High-Stakes Testing and the History of Graduation
... copies are not sold. EPAA is a project of the Education Policy ... testing and the history of graduation, Education Policy Analysis ... that tests required for high school graduation will have mixed ...
http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v11n1/

40. Issaquah High School: Newsletter, staff directory, activities, career center...
... com Issaquah High School: Newsletter, staff directory, activities, career center, calendar, graduation project, and library. Help build the largest human-edited directory on the web. Submit a Site ...
http://www.wunderdirector ...quah-high-school.html

41.
http://salemcenter.com/ht ...tDetail.asp?ecd=68147

42. Community Relations | CENTURY 21 MIKE BOWMAN, INC. Dallas Fort Worth Worth TX
... org) Race Car Driver - Tim Knotts Regal Opera Company Ronald Reagan Medal of Honor Award Summer Santa Texas Veterans Newsletter Trinity Cheerleading Squad Trinity High School Project Graduation ...
http://www.century21mikeb ...relations/index.shtml

43. J. Frank Dobie High School - Project Graduation
... MAP TO GRADUATION School Calendar ALL MEETINGS HELD IN THE SCHOOL CAFETERIA PROJECT GRADUATION MEETING - November 7th PROJECT GRADUATION MEETING - December 3rd -Craft Show PROJECT GRADUATION MEETING ...
http://www.jfrankdobie.org/project.htm

44. Graduation Idea Kindergarten Song
Graduation Idea Kindergarten Song FireRocket Search Related Searches tx party project graduation houston donation for project graduation high school project graduation project graduation theme ...
http://www.graduation1.co ...ea-kindergarten-song/

45. MB: Offending the masses since 1902
... It was my high school graduation project, and it almost kept me into summer school. Didn't know I was walking until ten minutes before the ceremony. A funny story. Ask me to tell you about it some ...
http://www.maliciousbasta .../archives/020205.html

46. Keene High School Project Graduation
A Proud Tradition For the past 17 years, Keene High Schoolís Project Graduation has been providing graduating seniors with a fun, safe, substance-free environment in which to celebrate this ...
http://www.keeneprojectgrad.org/

47. High school graduation
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48. Baybutt Construction - Tips
... Club Keene High School Hockey Boosters Keene High School Music Department Keene High School Project Graduation Keene High School School to Career Experience Keene High School Student Activities ...
http://www.baybutt.com/tips.htm

49. Atlanta: Profile
... to their dreams on their way to college as they celebrate a great milestone; their high school graduation. Project GRAD Atlanta is proud of all of these extraordinary students and celebrates their ...
http://www.projectgradusa ...profile=195®ion=24

50. Index of Kuna High School 1919 Graduation, Kuna, ID
... ID Published: 1919 Kuna High School Commencement ... resources: USA|ID, Graduation Lists More ... of sources such as school yearbooks, city ... records and more. This project is all about ...
http://www.familytreeconn ...resources/ftc850.html