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. Middle Creek High School > Guidance Department
... etc. General Resources: Graduation Requirements High School Planning Guide MCHS Career and Technical Pathways: Business Technologies; Engineering Technologies; Communication Technology MCHS Promotion ...
http://middlecreekhs.wcps ...uidance/resources.htm

2. Parent Information -- Dinwiddie County Public Schools
... Science Scope and Sequence Social Science Scope and Sequence Dinwiddie High School Planning Guide - Course information, graduation requirements, and lots of information to help you and your child plan ...
http://www.dinwiddie.k12.va.us/parents.html

3. graduation photos + university of phoenix -- graduation photos + university ...
... Write A Graduation Speech Graduation Photos High School Graduation ... http://www.graduationguide.com/ List of casualties with Washington state ties ... Lifestyle NW Outdoors Photos Special Reports ...
http://www.universityofph ...suniversityofphoenix/

4. High School Graduation Party Ideas For Easy Party Planning
http://www.baby-names4u.c ...sy_party_planning.php

5. Web Detective, wisconsin census records circa 1870, . and
... indiana north high school reunion high school graduation classmates family reunion music r&b ... ... family tree / genealogy genealogy search planning high school reunion family reunion tips luna ...
http://www.advenlo-web-de ...records circa 1870=16

6. Graduation Border Clip Art
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http://www.clip4.com/graduation-border-clip-art/

7. Mauldin High School :: Guidance Department
... Counselors will discuss graduation needs, post high school planning, and pertinent information relevant to each grade level. 1. Due to the number of conferences that must be scheduled, students will ...
http://www.greenville.k12 ...mauldinh/guidance.asp

8. You can homeschool. - Useful Tips
... you need to know about high school courses, graduation requirements, record keeping, and the why ... ... by Loretta Heuer, M.Ed. Homeschooling High School: Planning Ahead for College Admission by Jeanne ...
http://www.youcanhomeschool.org/starthere/tips.asp

9. Planning for Life After High School
Planning for Life After High School Start Here Contents Welcome to Slide 2 Graduation Compulsory Credits University Requirements Math and Science Requirements Graduation Requirements Decisions ...
http://www.edu.pe.ca/gray ...t_grade_12/index.html

10. Senior High Planning Instruction
... of regulations and recommendations for planning instruction in schools. hours of instruction ... ... Regulations Senior High: High School Diploma Graduation Requirements: Schools are reminded ...
http://curriculum.epsb.ca/plan_sh.htm

11. High School Graduation Quote
http://www.quote5.com/hig ...ool-graduation-quote/

12. school reunion - articles in CAIR.INFO
... Reunions Organizing and planning of high school reunions. www ... All 23 results for: keywords: School Reunion www.amazon.ca ... Laughter to benefit Project Graduation 1960 Sun - MIDDLETOWN ...
http://cair.info/s-school-reunion.html

13. Web Site Index
... for Acceleration Handbook Secondary Publications Credit By Exam Handbook Graduation Requirements High School Planning Guide (including graduation requirements) Student Code of Conduct ...
http://www.brazosportisd.net/siteindex.htm

14. Charter Smith Flat
... list Program Information University Planning High School Counselor Forms and Information Program ... ... Policy Staff 2005/06 Calendar Course Planning H.S. Graduation Requirments UC/CSU Entrance ...
http://charter.edcoe.k12.ca.us/hsa3/

15. High School Reunion Planning
... First Name Middle Name Last Name Maiden Name Address City State Zip Code Home Phone Work Phone Cell Phone Fax E-mail Address Graduation Year School Name School City School State (we are currently ...
http://www.greatreunions. ...ntact/sales/index.cfm

16. Wake Forest-Rolesville High School
... Calendar | Student Services | SS Info | SS Staff | Graduation Requirements | College Planning | Registration | Career Wake Forest Rolesville High School Student Services Learn more about... The links to ...
http://wfrhs.wcpss.net/studentservices/info.html

17. Guidance and Counseling Department
... Testing Information Graduation Requirements Parent Guide ... Welcome to New Fairfield High School's Guidance web page. The ... counseling, career planning, post-high school planning ...
http://www.newfairfieldsc .../highschool/guidance/

18. A graduation season's tale of keeping hope
... Per, 17, graduate from South High School in Minneapolis on ... A graduation season's tale of ...
http://www.startribune.com/462/story/472887.html

19. Horizon Community Learning Center - Charter School, Phoenix Arizona
... HORIZON HONORS HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELING Horizon Honors High School Counseling office offers high school graduation planning and scheduling; grading and transcript inquiries; college planning, including ...
http://www.horizonclc.org/about_high.htm

20. NEWSCHOOLSPROJECT.ORG : CURRENT SITES
... a mentor and advocate throughout high school. Planning for the additional three schools will begin ... ... academic coursework fulfilling both high school graduation and college entrance requirements, as ...
http://www.newschoolsproject.org/current.html

21. Plan, Design, Develop, and Implement Online Continuing Education Courses Fro...
... based approach reinforce the defined Ohio Graduation Test instructional strategy, which helps ... ... that includes interest assessments to high school planning, postsecondary planning, and career ...
http://www.league.org/lea .../express/inn0510.html

22. College Planning--Shades Mountain Christian Elementary School Junior High Sc...
... School Grading Scale Graduation Requirements ... Athletics Philosophy High School Middle School ... Handbook Secondary School Course Descriptions ... Success College Planning Gifts to SMCS ...
http://www.smcs.org/templ ...p?id=33431&PID=322392

23. CSUMentor - Plan for College - High School Students - Code
http://www.csumentor.org/ ...h_school/sat_code.asp

24. High Scool Planning
High School Planning Under Construction Registration Graduation Requirements Four Year Planner
http://bs018.k12.sd.us/high_scool_planning.htm

25. KIFI - Community Events
... Century High School Graduation Party Planning Event Details: 7pm Century High School Media Center Pocatello, ID Call: Melissa Mercogliano mmercogliano@gracepocatello.org Event Description: All night ...
http://www.localnews8.com/events/2541201.html

26. Event Planning - High School Graduation Party Planning
... Planning Hawaii Wedding Planning Help Planning A Neighborhood Event Help With Wedding Planning High School Graduation Party Planning Home Based Party Planning Home Party Planning Housewarming Party ...
http://www.event-planning ...duationpartyplanning/

27. Graduation Party Planning Idea
... graduation party invitation example graduation house invitation open sample high school graduation party planning graduation info party planning graduation announcments free graduation border ...
http://www.idea7.com/grad ...-party-planning-idea/

28. Connie Jo Freeman, Administrator
... and your teen with the Administrator and/or Records Keeper is required for course planning. High School graduation requires the passing of an exit exam by completion of 12 th grade; California High ...
http://www.integritychris ...hts you may have.html

29. UTA Admissions -- Preview Day Registration
... Email:* Name of High School or Junior College Currently Attending:* Year of High School Graduation:* Semester Planning to Enroll at UTA:* Select Semester Summer 2006 Fall 2006 Spring 2007 Not Sure ...
http://www.uta.edu/admissions/previewday.php

30. Graduation Area Site Map
... Inspirational School, Maryland High School Graduation Requirement, 2005 Georgia Graduation High School Test, Planning A High School Graduation, High School Graduation Rate By State, Calendar ...
http://www.graduation-area.com/site-map_1-21.html

31. LREI: High School
... closed High School Planning/Meetings Day ALL ... Tuesday 23 - 6:30 PM High School Sports Award ... ALL Monday 29 - School closed - Memorial Day ... ALL Friday 9 - Graduation ALL Monday 12 ...
http://www.lrei.org/highschool/hs_2b.html

32. Wedding Planning Help sources
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http://www.weddingceremon .../weddingplanninghelp/

33. ACT's DISCOVER Career Planning Program for Middle Schools
... to develop a high school graduation plan and review career information. Internet delivery offers the flexibility we need to get parents directly involved in the career planning process. DISCOVER ...
http://www.act.org/discover/intermed/

34. California Profiles: TechFutures
... and their families in planning for college. Now in its roll-out phase, Counseling Wizard is an online system that provides high school students with information on graduation and college admission ...
http://www.irvine.org/ca_ ...uth/techFutures.shtml

35. PVPUSD : Students : Guidance : High School Planning : Alternate Means of Obt...
... Planning > Alternate Means of Obtaining High School Credits for Graduation Guidance Information > High School Planning > Alternate Means of Obtaining High School Credits for Graduation ...
http://www.pvpusd.k12.ca. ...uidance_alternate.htm

36. Untitled Document
... High School Planning Guide Name: ____________________________________ Grade___ Plan to meet WHS Graduation Requirements and to meet your future needs. (College/University Admission or Job Skills ...
http://www.sd393.k12.id.u ...se description 07.htm

37. High School Financial planning, Certified-Financial-Planners.net
http://www.certified-fina ...ancial-planning.shtml

38. KHOU.com | News for Houston, Texas | Community
... We also provide scholarships to needy high school students and patients at The Institute for Research and Rehabilitation. We provided jackets, coats and sweaters to homeless people and heaters and ...
http://www.khou.com/commu ...shlists.880b008a.html

39. Los Gatos High School
... Topics will include high school graduation and post-high school planning, particularly college information; testing schedules, and college search. Copyright © Los Gatos High School | (408) 354-2730 ...
http://www.lghs.net/temp/juniorinfonight92905.asp

40. Christian Victory Academy of Central Florida, Inc.-Home Page
... of student records, counsel in high school planning, a formal Christmas banquet, training ... ... Tests, curriculum consultation, high school and kindergarten graduation ceremonies, and Christmas ...
http://www.cva-homeschool.org/

41. Pre-College Planning for High School
... Beginning in grade 9 through graduation, keep a record of all ... acceptable format for your high school transcript. The transcript ... public. TESTING All of the planning and preparation should ...
http://www.khea.info/kheafiles/precollege.htm

42. New Page 2
... State Mandated Testing Information Meeting Graduation Requirements Graduation Requirements Worksheet ATTENDANCE Planning High School Courses Attendance Rollsheet Policy GVCS High School Course ...
http://www.goldenvcs.org/ES Handbook Link Page.htm

43. Northside Planning Council School Board Questions
Northside Planning Council School Board Questions Arlene Silveira ... in proficiency levels and graduation rates between racial and ... children to succeed. With the high mobility rate of some students ...
http://www.arleneforschoo ...rthside_planning.html

44. Coppell High School - College Planning Checklist
... Coppell Virtual Schools Coppell ISD COLLEGE PLANNING CHECKLIST BEFORE FRESHMAN YEAR Investigate ... ... approximately $80,000) HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMAN YEAR Investigate graduation plans 4 year plan course ...
http://chs.coppellisd.com ...es/college_chklst.htm

45. High School Planning
... test (Pre-ACT test) Make graduation requirement check using ... using Choices Winter Plan high school courses you would like to ... Timeline Fall Take Career Planning Survey Check out different ...
http://vs012.k12.sd.us/future_planning.htm

46. Gift Graduation High School Senior
... Jostens High School Graduation Products - Senior Year Graduation Planning ... High School Senior year. Pay for College. Career Planning. Fantasy Football Rings. Etiquette Tips and Advice - Graduation ...
http://zz103.millions.net ...gh-school-senior.html

47. FACTS.org
... High School Planning - Selecting the right courses in high school and planning ahead is more important than ever. Qualifying for new graduation options, Bright Futures Scholarship eligibility, the ...
http://www.pinellas.k12.fl.us/Finaid/FACTS.html

48. Reunion Planning Help for Kewpies of David H. Hickman High School in Columbi...
... Association is for all attendants of Hickman High School and Charley Blackmore will try to help you ... ... games or information (based on your graduation year) to make your reunion more fun ...
http://www.kewpie.net/reunionplans.html

49. A - Z Sitemap
... Gradebook for Parents Gradebook for Teachers Graduation Dates GSAMS Guidance & Counseling H Health & Physical Education High School Planning Guide High Schools Homeless Education ...
http://www.clayton.k12.ga.us/sitemap/azsitemap.asp

50. High School Graduation Party Ideas Update And Data
... Your ultimate ideas host a spectacular high school graduation high school graduation party planning guide planning a graduation party. Party checklists and ideas high school graduation party planning ...
http://www.partysupplyspo ...tion-party-ideas.html

51. Knightdale High School :: Knightdale, NC
... year again! The WCPSS High School Planning Guide is available at ... Code: 342124 All Wake County School students have access to the ... of AP Classes Mid-Year graduation How Colleges view GPA vs ...
http://knightdalehs.wcpss.net/

52. Guidance
... Financial Search College Foundation of North Carolina Course List (pdf) Graduation Requirements High School Planning Guide New Student Registration Pathways (pdf) Scholarship Bulletins School ...
http://www.leesville.org/ ...nt_Services/index.htm

53. American Student Loan Services - About Us
... for Parents High School Planning Tools & Reference Contact ... college finance. With current high college costs, many families ... funding simple! After Graduation Help Not only can we help ...
http://www.americanstudentloan.com/about.php

54. Wedding Favors
... shower gi Related Keywords ª Funeral Planning ª High School ª Disneyland ª Wedding Gowns ... ... Rings ª Religion Magazines ª Legal Wills ª Graduation ª Schools ª Breast Feeding ª Family History ...
http://www.wawawiwa.com/wedding_favors_w09.php

55. CSUMentor - Plan for College - High School Students - Freshman Admission Req...
... Overview - Subjects - Grades & Tests - HS Graduation - International Students Eligibility Index ... ... Finances (Financial Aid - Cost) Planning Tools - High School Course Planner - GPA Calculator ...
http://www.csumentor.com/planning/high_school/

56. The Competitive Edge in College Planning...for High Schools
... Students closer to high school graduation will learn the importance of making good choices and finding a good college "fit" to increasing their odds of achieving success in the competitive admission ...
http://www.theadmissiongame.com/schools/

57. Lakeland Central School District Guidance
... high school planning program on April 3rd, 7pm at Copper Beech Middle School. Lakeland High SchoolAlternative High SchoolWalter Panas High School High School Counseling Staff Graduation Requirements ...
http://www.lakelandschools.us/do/pkavanagh/