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. Gibberations : August 2002
... Association, souvenirs from the Big Game, golfing paraphernalia, my Stanford graduation tassel, high school awards, ad infinitum. I have left it all here to age in silence and darkness ...
http://www.cyber-gish.com ...archives/2002_08.html

2. Pick Me! » 2004 » February » 08
... kind of cards that we got in high school at graduation. I still have half a box of cards that say: Laura Susan Lund on them. They sit useless in a box with my tassel and diploma. What were we ...
http://www.laura.moncur.org/archives/2004/02/08/

3. Graduation - High School Graduation Gift
... Project Graduation Unique Graduation Gift Graduation Supply High School Graduation Speech Graduation Song Lyric Graduation Tassel Graduation Photo Graduation Pool College Graduation Poem High ...
http://graduation.researc ...schoolgraduationgift/

4.
... Day! It's just weeks before high school graduation and members of ... Halloween, Casual Canine Graduation Costumes are first in their ... The cap features a gold tassel and a comfortable, stay-on ...
http://www.collectible-mo ...m/mkw/graduation.html

5. graduation gifts - presentpicker.com
... Ideas Gift Wrap Party Decor High School Graduation Gift Ideas ... you want to encourage that school can be enjoyable and they ... Add a festive graduation card and a tassel and you will have ...
http://presentpicker.com/ ...ation/graduation.html

6. College Graduation Announcements, College Graduation Invitations, University...
... Card Search Good Sites Site Map (Email) Graduation > Graduation Cap Tassel Graduation Cap Tassel For High School graduation and college graduations with a Bachelor's Degree, the tassels are ...
http://www.graduationcard ...assel.php?maincatid=1

7. graduation results by www.birthday-site.com
... All on sale at this site. wholesaletrims.com Tassel: Compare Prices Shop for over 30 million ... ... Graduate Personalized Anniversary Graduation Presents High School Gift Ideas Banners Diploma Robes ...
http://www.birthday-site. ...rthday-site.com&cat=1

8. Newsletterletter26
... the ears for security and is finished with a tassel dangling smartly from the tip of the nose ... ... padded hope chest from his bride's high school graduation as the eyesore. The new green and gray ...
http://www.greenlightwrite.com/newsletter26.htm

9. Madison Central High School-Richmond, KY
... E-Mail Policies, & Web Page Policies) MADISON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL GRADING SCALE 92 100 A 83 91 B 74 82 C 65 73 D 0 64 F GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Class of 2005 Members of the class of 2005 ...
http://www.madison.k12.ky.us/mc/handbook.htm

10. Wallace College - Press Releases
... 2005-10-11 Veronica Johnson (right) adjusts the tassel of her best friend Leigh Nolin as the two ... ... son James Radney, Jr. prepare for his ìhigh school graduation.î Radney and 30 other students ...
http://www.wallace.edu/ne ...tions/press_releases/

11. tropical wedding invitation 50th anniversary invitation sample wedding invit...
... choice of design, ink color, tassel color and verse. Bookmarks ... Shower Invitations College Graduation Invitations 50th Wedding ... Wedding Announcements High School Graduation Announcements ...
http://wedding-invitation ...l-wedding-invitation/

12. homemade wedding invitation wedding invitation verse announcement free onlin...
... Invitations Wedding Announcements High School Graduation Announcements Personalized Stationery ... ... with your choice of design, ink color, tassel color and verse. Bookmarks may be arranged at ...
http://wedding-invitation ...e-wedding-invitation/

13. Graduation
... Metallic Gold and silver Tassels, Party Hanging Tassel, Wedding Tassels, Classic Tassels, Tinsel ... ... htm 20. Graduation Gift Ideas - Buy College and High School Graduation Gifts Online ...
http://www.realgraduation.com/

14. New Page 1
... Portrait samples High school graduation is a ... provide an exclusive, high quality service that ... here to view more graduation accessories 2006 ... for your name card and tassel. A gold-tone ...
http://www.hleon.com/html/Seniorpictures.html

15. Central Catholic | Family Handbook
... appearing on Central Catholic High School's Summa and Magna cum ... for the major violation of school policy. Members would be ... recognized with a gold tassel at graduation and acknowledged in ...
http://www.centralcatholi ...andbook/Academic.html

16. graduation
... graduation standards vitamin c graduation lyrics early high school graduation graduation clipart good graduation songs graduation tassel ohio high school graduation requirements personalized ...
http://www.craft-wire.net/mkw/graduation.html

17. Tim Wesemann
... Birthday... Let's Celebrate!" "Tassel-Free Living for Grads; God's ... at Christian elementary or High schools - 6 times Spoke to ... Keynote Messiah Lutheran School Graduation Speaker St. Charles ...
http://www.timwesemann.com/etc/etc.html

18. Moto Photo Shaker Heights - High School Senior Portraits
... A La Carte Portraits Quantity Portraits Graduation Announcements Special Notes Pricing Shaker ... ... take a couple of pictures with the high school cap, gown and tassel. We will provide the cap, gown ...
http://www.motosh.com/seniorportraits.htm

19. Education - High School Diploma
... www.wvware.com High School Diploma Tassel Frames By Wordyisms High school diploma frames with memorabilia shadow boxes for your tassel, graduation photo, high school diploma, and invitation. A perfect ...
http://www.educationpad.com/highschooldiploma/

20. Urban Connections - Mennonite Mission Network
... accountability, prayer takes teen to graduation - Wednesday, September 21, 2005 This spring ... ... watched her friend Amanda Lopez turn her tassel, high school diploma in hand as the culmination of a ...
http://www.mennonitemissi ...nnections/default.asp

21. Welcome To The Best grdauation cap Site
... Gown, Tassel for Kindergarten, Preschool, Junior High, High School ... or university, select your school name from the list below ... cap - graduatioj cap - graduation czp - grauation cap ...
http://grdauation-cap.gra ...choolworldonline.org/

22. Dedman School of Law
... in the slots in your generic high school graduation announcements ... card listing ALL university graduation ceremonies, their times ... s $40. You keep the cap and tassel in both packages. DeLoach ...
http://studentaffairs.law ...du/Advocatestory.shtm

23. Online GED Testing Service and Online High School Credit Courses
... to the alumni association Graduation gown and tassel (extra charges will apply) 7. Is this a legal diploma? back to top (CLICK HERE TO VERIFY) Yes, John Adams High School is registered to issue high ...
http://www.johnadams-edu.us/faq.php

24. Reference Education Products and Services Graduation
... photo display products including picture and tassel frame, commencement plaques, display mounts ... ... shop and newsstand two days after his graduation from high school ... Soldiers Graduate At U.S. Funded ...
http://www.mozdir.com/Ref ..._Services/Graduation/

25. Graduation Invitations, Photo Graduation Invitation, Graduation Announcement...
... NEW! Pick your colors custom photo 6x9" invitation 195-Grad Cap with Confetti 5x7 invitation 2218-Graduation Caps 5x7 invitation 973-Columns 5x7 invitation 819-Gold Rope and Tassel 5x7 invitation 71 ...
http://www.party-invitations.com/graduation.html

26.
... be on your invitation list. A cap, gown, and tassel are the perfect addition to kindergarten ... ... our products, select a category below: HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION CAPS AND GOWNS COLLEGE GRADUATION CAPS ...
http://www.capandgown.com/content.html

27. Graduation theme
... graduation schedule for the five Loudoun County High Schools with a senior class will be as follows ... ... personalized graduation theme pillowcase that features name, school initials and tassel in the color ...
http://www.simplenursing.com/graduation-theme.html

28. Hoagies' Gifted Education: Boy genius set to become youngest-ever grad of In...
... a repositioning of the tassel, Brandenn will set a ... there's a lot more to high school than computers ... them into traditional school settings leaves them ... tried out his graduation gift: a nylon ...
http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/youngest_ever.htm

29. My Graduation - ShawnAllison.com
... red and dull gray tassel. Attached to the tassel is a cheap, fake gold, "'97." On the other ... ... They are my only connection to my high school graduation. I graduated from high school on July ...
http://www.shawnallison.com/grad.php

30. Preparatory Academy
... promotion certificate and cap/tassel and gown. K & 8 th graduation ... a PowerPoint presentation at graduation. (Most drugstores can take ... on a CD for a nominal fee.) High School Tuition: Application fee ...
http://www.championhomeschool.org/CPA.htm

31. BHS: Curriculum Bluebook
... initial enrollment in high school (four years ... credit and Night School credit may be applied ... or counselor. GRADUATION WITH HONORS To earn ... track will wear a gold tassel at graduation and ...
http://www.bps-ok.org/bhs ...mics/bluebook0506.htm

32. Cabot Alumni Association 1960
... new status by changing their mortarboard tassel from the right to left side. Gross is a member of the CHS Class of 1960. After graduation from high school she attended Arkansas State Teachers ...
http://www.cabotalumniassociation.com/1960.htm

33. Silver Special Events
... Available Ribbon Charm $6.75 Available Small High School Ring Charm $9.70 Available Bells With Bow ... ... Diploma Scroll Charm $7.90 Available Graduation Cap, tassel, And Diploma Charm $14.00 Available ...
http://www.zulumoon.com/r ...atID=CH&tSubCatID=118

34. There Are No Losers Here » 2003 » August
... 11. High school graduation tassel, Class of 95 12. Pinhole camera photograph, Colleen Ayers, 1999 13. Awesome desk chair pilfered from my fathers den Comments (0) 24 August 2003 Destination unknown ...
http://jakemohan.net/archives/date/2003/08/

35. graduation : Savings and Deals
... charming graduation cap with a tassel and slight antiquing. This ... collection with this 2003 Graduation bracelet. Crafted in Italy ... bracelet holds ...... Latino High School Graduation... -- rank: 893 ...
http://www.findawidget.com/widgets/graduation

36. High School Diploma Tassel Frames by Wordyisms
... With shadow boxes for your tassel, graduation photo, invitation and high school diploma, our memento frames are the perfect graduation gift for yourself or someone you admire. landscape (horizontal ...
http://www.wordyisms.com/high-school.html

37. Graduation Tassel, Honor Cords & Ceremonial Accessories
... Tassels, Honor Cords, Diploma Cases, Tassel Key Chains for any graduate, high school graduation, college, cap and gown, kindergarten, graduation preschool, graduation, gown, cap, tassel, custom ...
http://www.tasselnfringe.com/graduationtassels.htm

38. Regency - Order personalized invitations and accessories online
... WGA594006 Bright white french-fold with class year, scroll and high school name. 3F-WGA62 Pearl foil embossed graduation cap and tassel on white folder. 3F-WGA7 Double panels on bright white folder ...
http://onlinewithdp.regen ...AID=127&ProductID=191

39. Today In Former Years
... s marks the eighth graduation we have attended in ... Jennifer's Nursing School Pinning, Ginny's FCCJ ... robes with a gold tassel. She was awarded a ... in America's toughest high school. She is among ...
http://www.cowart.info/to ...h in Former Years.htm

40. KMYoung.com
... maintained by 98% of high schools, the gown ... chosen based on the school's colors. In our case ... 3 weeks before the graduation. You could not iron ... degree is white. The tassel is also white ...
http://www.kmyoung.com/index.php?blogid=9

41. Graduation Gifts
... university diploma frame, diploma frame tassel, graduation diploma frame diploma frame ... ... com A guide to graduation gift ideas. Elementary School, Middle School, High School and College ...
http://www.number1-freewa ...duation_gifts_g19.php

42. High School Graduation Gowns/Middle School Graduation Gowns
... accessories for the High School and Middle School graduate. Our ... Sets - $48.00 Our special graduation package is just $17.25 and includes gown, cap and tassel. Order Now! Our online ...
http://www.graduateaffair ...-graduation-gowns.asp

43. NATIONAL QUALITY PRODUCTS - HS
... Souvenir Tassel You will soon complete four of the most demanding years of your life. Now share the satisfaction of your achievement by sending your High School Graduation Announcement to ...
http://www.nationalqp.com/hs_announce.htm

44. CAP & GOWN SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION GRADUATE School Portrait...
... By providing advanced ordering of school graduation outfits through a company we are partnered with that specializes in making high quality school and college graduation sets, a single Cap w/Tassel ...
http://www.ericphotos.com/school/GRADUATION.htm

45. NevadaMentor - Planning for College - Planner Timeline
... be required for high school graduation, most colleges require at ... is also a good idea in high school. Activities that require ... including the mortarboard and tassel design) are the registered ...
http://www.washingtonmentor.com/planning/Timeline/

46.
... The cap features a gold tassel and a comfortable, stay-on ... a damp cloth. Casual Canine Graduation Cap 'n Gowns are available ... Language Arts : California High School Exit Exam (Barron's How to ...
http://www.colorful-candl ...m/mkw/graduation.html

47. Graduation Caps And Gowns - Prom Portal US
... & the morning of graduation for students who have not purchased their cap, gown and tassel. & High School Graduation Caps and Gowns by Oak Hall providing caps, gowns and accessories for judges ...
http://prom.portal.us.com ...n-caps-and-gowns.html

48. Eau Claire Fall 2005 Graduation Information
... High School Auditorium, located at 2225 Keith Street in Eau Claire. To participate in the ceremony you must purchase a cap, gown, and tassel (approximately $26.00) at the CVTC Bookstore. Graduation ...
http://www.cvtc.edu/RegRe ...all_2005_GradInfo.htm

49. Cap Clipart Free Graduation
http://www.clipart3.com/c ...part-free-graduation/

50. Academic Graduation Regalia Caps and Gowns
... s Degree Graduation Regalia High School, Elementary & Middle School Caps and Gowns and Tassels and ... ... Graduation Cap and Gown sets, including Graduation Tassel, Year Charm and Diploma You've reached ...
http://www.blazerdepot.com/pages/acad/index.html

51. History of Graduation - Ceremony, Ring, Yearbook, Diploma, Music, Cap & ...
... case is may be gold. Below is a listing of tassel colors: Graduate School ñ black Agriculture ... ... gray How are tassels worn? For High School graduation, and basic college graduations of a ...
http://www.brownielocks.com/graduation.html

52. Hats - See entire listing of Hats - Graduation Hats
... photo display products including picture and tassel frame, commencement plaques, display mounts ... ... Pictures from his sister's graduation. www.davetsai.com High school graduation changes debated ...
http://www.entirehats.com/graduationhats/

53. Graduation invitation
... project graduation unique graduation gift graduation supply high school graduation speech graduation song lyric graduation tassel graduation photo graduation pool college graduation poem high ...
http://www.unclejohnspupp ...uationinvitation.html

54. Issue of July 23, 2002
... spend three pulse-pounding hours at the high school graduation of my niece just the other night ... ... been replaced, in a final bizarre touch, by a tassel. And now the good news: the mortarboard hat is ...
http://www.word-detective.com/072302.html