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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 personıs 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 Authorıs
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 poetıs life.
Here is a perfect companion to Walt Whitmanıs biography.
When I Heard the Learnıd Astronomer is a wonderfully
illustrated book by Loren Long, based on Walt Whitmanıs 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 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!
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