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!

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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 Conservative Clubs of America
... high school graduation when he was 15. In 2004, he won the National Right to Life Oratory Contest ... ... an event three years consecutively. Aside from speech and debate, Jonathan has also been studying ...
http://www.hscca.org/bios.php

2. Oyama Traditional School
... with High School Graduation Certificate77% 76 ... performance. The high degree of commitment ... INFORMATION For the school year 2003-2004 ... in the district speech contest. Writing/Art ...
http://www.ots.sd23.bc.ca/SPC

3. High School Graduation Speech Contest & Scholarship!
UNFORTUNATELY, THE SCHOLARSHIP HAS ENDED AS OF 5:00 PM, EST, MAY 30, 2003. NO MORE ENTRIES WILL BE ...
http://www.nataviguides.com/hscontest.html

4. Manchester High School Parent Student Handbook
... PTSA Parent Info. Attendance Graduation Counseling School Rules ... efforts of the Manchester High School community have had a very ... History Day, COLT Poetry Contest, Connecticut Writers ...
http://mhsweb.townofmanchester.com/mhshandbook.htm

5. Meet the Staff
... Japan. He won the 5th Annual UCI Japanese Speech Contest. He likes public speaking, acting, eating ... ... of high school at Xavier College Preparatory in her hometown of Phoenix, AZ. After graduation ...
http://www.collegemedianews.com/reporters.php

6. About Ezra
... around a fire won the national contest run by the Scholastic ... the day before Ezraís high school graduation. Ezra was called upon ... work. In his Caldecott Medal speech in 1963, Keats shared the ...
http://www.ezra-jack-keat ...outezra/biography.htm

7. FCPS Press Releases
... 2005 SCAPA wins state speech championship... again ... 18/2005 High school graduation dates set 3/18/2005 ... 2/9/2005 Lafayette High School students cash in on ... student wins video contest 1/26/2005 Missy ...
http://www.fayette.k12.ky.us/pressrel/default.asp

8. BCSD : Chipman Junior High School : Events
... the Convention Center Principal's Graduation Notes--Click Here Graduation Gowns -- Please pay your $16 in the office Highland High School-- Registration last names A-L on Wednesday May 4, last names M ...
http://chipman.bcsd.com/n ...ms/departments/events

9. WILLisms.com: May 2005 Archives
... the Wednesday Caption Contest (entries are due each ... with our freedom of speech and religion, our ... Other states with high numbers of WWII vets ... 1) Belarus As An Old-School Sphere Of Influence ...
http://www.willisms.com/a ...es/2005/05/index.html

10. Calendar of Events - San Fernando Valley Japanese Language Institute
... X No School - Spring Break 22 X Credit Test (for High School students only) 29 May 6 X Boy's Day ... ... Test 27 No School - Memorial Day June 3 10 X X Graduation Rehearsal, Speech Contest Rehearsal ...
http://www.sfvjli.com/Calendar/

11. INTERNATIONAL COMPUTER HIGH SCHOOL MATH DEPARTMENT
... with Middle and High School Students ... Team visited our School Wednesday, June ... June 20 Graduation Ceremony 2002 ... 03 LUMINA MATH CONTEST Wednesday, April ... 12 First Speech TOP Web site ...
http://math.ichb.ro/

12. Peninsula High School - English
... the English graduation requirement ... in: The Peninsula High School Literary ... Puma Page, our school newspaper The ... of Life writing contest sponsored by the ... Club poetry/flow/speech contest (winners ...
http://phs.smuhsd.org/english.htm

13. IC² Institute: News
... Media Institute: Games Contest Kickoff (01-29-2004 ... EnterTech Program Graduation Ceremony (01-02 ... the way (06-16-2003) High School Teachers Learn ... to give commencement speech (03-26-2003) Biotech ...
http://www.ic2.org/main.php?a=4&s=0

14. Schedule of Activities
... State FFA Interscholastics 21 Speech and Parli-Pro at Stillwater ... 4 National FFA Land Judging Contest 9 FFA Awards Social--Ice ... Conference--NO SCHOOL 25 Junior High Graduation 26 High School ...
http://www.elkcityffa.com/calendar

15. Graduation Info : High School Graduation Gift
... High School Graduation Speech High School ... A statewide graduation party honoring all ... woods. Bryan Station High School Marching Defenders ... photos, fundraisers, contest schedule,list of band ...
http://graduationinfo.com ...duationgift/index.php

16. prom queen really a king
... s a whole royalty/popularity contest. you have the prom queen and ... follow sports & an acceptance speech, and the ex-Prom King stuck ... prom king at a high school graduation - Brief Article ...
http://www.usa-velodrome. ...m-queen-really-a.html

17. Activities
... at the Camas County High School graduation ceremony on the 15th of May. The scholarships were recently raised to $250 and the recipient in 2005 was Kristen Weatherly. Speech Contest Due to a ...
http://www.camas.id.nacdnet.org/Activities.htm

18. The Public School's Special Education System as an Assistive Technology Fund...
... did not directly contest whether it was ... high school diploma. However, graduation is ... year of progress each school year. Because every ... one hour per day and speech for three hours per ...
http://www.nls.org/specedat.htm

19. Trade Show Displays and Exhibits
... lists. You might do very well at an event with a ready-made huge crowd, such as a high school football game. Secure permission ahead of time to set up a booth presenting your product, and donate a ...
http://www.tradeshowbargains.com/

20. Coupon Code.info ►► Babies & Children Resources Directory | Add URL
... to elementary school age children. http ... for busy parents. High quality fleece will ... Dress, Graduation Dresses, Teen Beauty Contest Dress ... com Baby Babble Speech Videos Offers baby ...
http://www.couponcode.inf ...ren-resources-01.html

21. Marco island charter middle school
... crowns and stems which heyre, and himselfe the speech. Tom falling fondly with ever fresh often had ... ... high school writing contest essay high school homemade high school graduation gift ideas compare ...
http://marco-island-chart ...chool.dacus.kepno.pl/

22. hamilton county indiana history lafayetteindianaschools
... curriculum standards - Indiana university graduation 2004 chain of lakes state park, indiana ... ... indiana night life - Indiana high school state speech contest finals craig jordan evansville ...
http://hamilton-county-in ...ry.indiana-state.biz/

23. Home > Parents > Courses > High School > Agriculture Science &am...
... Other opportunities available will include: contest competition (both local and state), student ... ... This course fulfills the speech requirement for graduation from high school and Idaho college ...
http://www.meridianschool ...ience-and-technology/

24. Granada Hills Charter High School
... Homework Graduation Requirements ... ARE NOW ON SALE Speech Debate ... PTSA Essay Contest Students, would ... Tutoring After school tutoring is ... Hills Charter High School website ...
http://www.ghchs.com/

25. What's up around the Prime Minister
... Prefecture March 15 Winners of High School Speech Contest on Northern Territories Pay Courtesy ... ... Address at the National Defense Academy Graduation Ceremony March 24 The Ceremony of ...
http://www.kantei.go.jp/f ...zumiphoto/2004/back3/

26. TVgasm: The OC Archives
... you can't wait for the contest to end, you can own ... like all shows about high school, if the kids are ... One of them is graduation, and the other is ... States to make a speech. When I found out, I ...
http://www.tvgasm.com/archives/the_oc/

27. Rural Roots: Vol. 4 No. 3, June 2003
... Paige announced plans to form a high-level task force within the ... Officers (CCSSO) to help rural school districts comply with the ... Class of 2003 Graduation Speech Contest Two years ago, What ...
http://www.ruraledu.org/roots/rrtext/rr4.3.html

28. Rachel Garlin - Journal
... navigating my way to Miami Edison, a public high school in Miami-Dade county . . . wish me luck ... ... as part of the 40th Anniversary of the Free Speech Movement. I wrote a song paying tribute to ...
http://www.rachelgarlin.com/journal.php

29. USAID Lebanon
... www.DestinationLebanon.com. 9. USDA Funds Training of 460 Public School Teachers U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman attended the graduation ceremony on September 15, 2005 of 460 teachers from 183 public ...
http://www.usaidlebanon.org.lb/files/news2.aspx

30. Global Voices Online » Ireland
... the Presidents speech with one of her ... entries in the contest. Beth Kantor ... was in elementary school. The Middle East ... Europe Its graduation season these ... days; colleges and high school seniors ...
http://cyber.law.harvard. ...stern-europe/ireland/

31. The Chronicle: Daily news archive
... gift to Yale's School of Music will mean free tuition for all students. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2005 Among the top stories: Supreme Court nominee has championed free campus speech while questioning ...
http://chronicle.com/free/newsarch.htm

32. Free Graduation Invitation Preschool Printable
http://www.free19.com/fre ...-preschool-printable/

33. Americans United: Litigation
... rather than purely private speech. The brief was written by AU ... of the children; and that the high Courts decision in Mergens ... even when made during the school day and overseen by school ...
http://www.au.org/site/Pa ...name=legal_litigation

34. Justified Textworks: A Profit Without Honors
... comprehensive research project ìHigh-Stakes Testing, Uncertainty ... a recognized ailment among school-aged children.) Teachers tell ... went a step further. In a speech in 1989, he gave the usual ...
http://www.just-text.org/profit.html

35. Out of the Cotton Fields: and into the Classroom
... also worked on my speech and diction. By the ... in my life, even past high school. Just a few ... when I came home from school, I smelled the rich ... was going to have a contest of those bringing the ...
http://www.occoquanbooks. ...tton_fields_text.html

36. UNI Newsroom
... August 24, 2005 Have speech, will travel CEDAR ... releases spring 2005 graduation and dean's lists ... Amendment Project School. FULL STORY Wednesday ... seniors from 120 high schools in northeast ...
http://www.umpr.uni.edu/

37. Forms
... Phone Number: *High School: Course ... include type of contest, rating, event ... received in school (please list any ... work? Competitive Speech Requirements ... consistent with graduation ...
http://www.doane.edu/Forms/ADM/speech.asp

38. Campbell County High School Kentucky - Education BR
... ranking mountain view high school el monte aids education and training center high school graduation speech contest grand rapids community college michigan monte vista high school south charleston ...
http://education.br.com/c ...-school-kentucky.html

39. Education first: That's what the authors of Title IX had in mind
... high school speech contest winner -- was ... Vocational Technical School in Jefferson Hills ... in grade, middle and high schools need to be ... workouts. After graduation, Higgins will be a ...
http://www.post-gazette.c ...titleixed1006fnp7.asp

40. BARBOURVILLE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
... BARBOURVILLE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION BIG "V" RECEIVES PLAQUE ... IN NEW GYM 2003 Barbourville High School Graduates S.A.D.D ... Card School Calendar Knox County 4-H Speech Contest Winners ...
http://www.barbourvilleind.com/events.html

41. Harker Heights High School-Student Code of Conduct Handbook
... of Education; (2) only two correspondence courses for credit will count toward high school graduation; (3) the correspondence grade is received at least thirty days prior to graduation if ...
http://killeenisd.org/har ...student_handbook.html

42. Rosholt High School Fine Arts
... pm June 4 H.S. Graduation 2:00 pm High ... Art The Rosholt High School program in ... school, after school, lunch periods ... on to the state contest. The categories ... four minute speech, group ...
http://www.rosholt.k12.wi ...hool/hs_fine_arts.htm

43. Will's Speeches
... Graduation Speech, 2004 Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Contest, 2004 ... ... America's Future The American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest 2003: The Bill of Rights ...
http://www.ylcf.org/willg ...writings/speeches.htm

44. The Social Fabric and Annual Cycle of Residential Colleges
... the new freshmen to the sights and sounds of graduation, and all the joys and sorrows in between ... ... there is always a temptation to want to have high attendance for all events, it is more important ...
http://collegiateway.org/howto/life/

45. casino indiana annual crop production statistics for indiana counties
... lebanon indiana indiana high school state speech contest finals - Diocese of lafayette in ... ... advertising agencies - Indiana university graduation 2004 plainfield indiana - Bloomington ...
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46. High School Graduation
... School Graduation Ring High School Graduation Song High School Graduation Speech High School Graduation Speech Contest High School Graduation Speech Idea High School Graduation Statistics High School ...
http://www.mygraduationgi ...highschoolgraduation/

47. Article Search - The Lone Star Report
... Gallegos election contest, Fisher named ... issue this week was graduation rates. Recruiting ... their dollars. And our school children are locked ... purposes ñ what the high school diploma used to ...
http://www.lonestarreport.org/search.asp?topic=42

48. NACME - President's Corner
... difference in graduation rates are many ... There must be a speech. Speeches in our ... W. Woodruff School of Mechanical ... this as simply a contest between an ... people complete high school with the ...
http://www.nacme.org/news/prescorner.html

49. In Balance Ranch Academy - A Therapeutic Boarding School
... pie-eating contest. It was ... high school graduation ceremony. It ... National High School, the University ... and even their own high schools they ... student gave a speech and shared with ...
http://www.inbalranch.com/happenings.htm

50. justinrussell.com > portfolio > writing
... Years of Change Salutatory speech for high school graduation (spring 2001) A Virtual Community for Teens on the Internet A tech-based paper submitted to an essay contest (2001) Road Hazards on the ...
http://justinrussell.com/ ...o.php?section=writing

51. SENIORS & COLLEGE STUDENTS
... php Applicable Majors All Fields of Study 11 th & 12 th GRADE High School Graduation Speech Contest Natavi Guides, INC. Award Amount Maximum: $500 Deadline Date June 30, 2005 Description The ...
http://www.homeschoolplusinc.org/Scholarships.html

52. Hollywood Homecoming
... recalled. "In the eighth grade I won a city speech contest by doing an Eddie Murphy routine. I'm no ... ... theater fan. But it wasn't until after high school graduation and stints on the sets of several ...
http://www.jasonwiles.net/6_12article.htm

53. Regina Dominican // News & Events
... Hilary Bouxsein's graduation speech (06.09.05 ... at Regina Dominican High School longer than any ... of St. Francis Xavier School , Wilmette . (04.07 ... compete in IHSA contest Regina Dominican ...
http://www.rdhs.org/news_events/

54. BlueOregon: Our Contributors
... the closest statewide contest in '04. Currently, he ... alternative high school for high-risk youth ... in film, theater, and speech. With an eclectic ... progressives. After graduation from Western Oregon ...
http://www.blueoregon.com/contributors.html