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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1. Hollins | Admissions & Financial Aid | Need-based Scholarships
... For a rising junior or senior majoring in history who has ... U.S. Armed Forces. Created by a gift from the parents of Helen Gail ... who, within one year of graduation, returned to Hollins as ...
http://www.hollins.edu/ad ...arship/need_based.htm

2. United Press International - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper
... Employment Health Tourist Guide Holiday Gift Guide Insider Politics Blog Riffologist ...
http://www.washtimes.com/ ...0603-104326-1398r.htm

3.
http://campaign.clarkson. ...ends_scholarship.html

4. Gourt :: Reference :: Education :: Products and Services :: Graduation
... products, awards, and gifts, includes product catalog, college index, and student gift service. Senior Class: Graduation announcements, invitations, senior class mementos, caps and gowns, honor cords ...
http://reference.gourt.co ...vices/Graduation.html

5. Home Page
... mothers frame,father's day frame,fathers day frame,father frame,graduation frame,diploma frame,college frame,senior gifts,senior gift,senior frame,class of 2005,class of 2005 frame,class of 2005 ...
http://www.americangiftmall.com/

6. The Record, June 6, 2005, V13.23
... wearing their pins.î The Senior Gift Campaign is one of many giving ... binding. Toni Marshall is a senior majoring in public relations ... impact on the persistence to graduation rate for our minority ...
http://www.mtsu.edu/~prof .../rec1323/rec1323.html

7. Student Programs
... Seniors can also order regalia and graduation announcements, as well as receiving information from the LaVentana, Career Center, senior class gift and Kaplan test prep services. University Day Each ...
http://www.texastechalumn ...rograms/saaboard.html

8. San Diego State University - Senior Class Gift
... 20.05 to this year's Senior Class Gift will receive this "Senior Spirit Card" with the SDSU Alma Mater and an embroidered Aztec logo that you can peel off and place on your graduation cap. SCG Home ...
http://advancement.sdsu.e .../srgift/involved.html

9. Adoption/
... com First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Online Bingo golf clubs casinos video poker first aid vehicle transport Tech School senior graduation gift - classmate classmates.com classmatesconnections cheap ...
http://www.teatro-limonai ...t/adoption--adoption/

10. Class of 2004 - Principia Alumni
... the Writers' Cabin, Booth noted that the senior gift helped make the project a priority. The ... ... in contact with those few close friends after graduation, but donít you want to stay in touch with ...
http://www.prin.edu/reunions/index.pl/2004

11. Donation Campaigns :: Alumni :: The College of New Jersey
... More ª Senior Class Gift Campaign This campaign allows seniors graduating in 2006 to donate to the Annual Fund. Weare asking seniors to donate at least $20.06, representing the graduation year, and ...
http://www.tcnj.edu/~alumni/donate/index.html

12. A unique Scottish Gift - own a little piece of Scotland
Home History of Sanday Frequently asked questions Order on-line Mail/fax order form Contact Us Sitemap Gift Resources senior graduation gift Top senior graduation gift Resources Our Recommended ...
http://www.scottish-laird ...-graduation-gift.html

13. Ultimate College Checklist
... Room for personalized label on cover Imprinting available on orders of 1000 minimum Booklets have many uses: PTA senior class gift Graduation present / stocking stuffer Fund raiser As a resale item ...
http://www.solutions4orga ....com/Pub Ultimate.htm

14. Graduation and Commencement Information, University of Maryland
Quick Links Apply for Graduation Cap and Gown Info Graduation Photos Contribute to Class Gift Senior Events Senior Marshal Program UMSenior Digest Email Home | General Information | For Graduates ...
http://www.commencement.u ...fo/seniormarshals.cfm

15. Gift | Gift Idea
... Books & Study Guides Graduation gift ideas Graduation gift ideas. Copyright 2002 by PageWise Inc ... ... for Mother's Day" Page. "Every good gift and every Senior Gift Ideas gifts ideas and presents for ...
http://www.afastgift.com/giftideas/

16. welcome/main
... Now to the Class of 2005 Senior Gift! December 2005 Graduates Order ... shirt Here. As a member of the Senior Class Planning Committee, you ... juniors and seniors through graduation and in becoming involved ...
http://oswegoalumni.osweg ...seniorclass/main.html

17.
http://www2.ncsu.edu/ncsu ...graduation/index.html

18. Harvard College Class of 2006 - Home
... House Carrie Petri ~ Winthrop House SENIOR GIFT CO-CHAIRS Paul Soper Brooks Washington BORN TO ... ... for the Class throughout your Senior Year and after graduation. Secretary & Treasurer Class ...
http://classes.harvard.edu/college/2006/

19. SENIORS.UMD.EDU - Maryland Seniors Website
... on-line: 1. Be sure you Select fund: Senior Class Gift when you Donate Online 2. Enter amount of gift 3. Complete payment information 4. Complete graduation information 5. Fill in home address ...
http://www.seniors.umd.edu/classgift.html

20. SAA > Students > Commencement > Senior Send-Off
... on in the region they are moving to, contributing to the Senior Gift, and meeting other classmates moving to their city after graduation. Free food and prizes were enjoyed by all. The following ...
http://www.stanfordalumni ...nts/commencement/sso/

21. USD: Undergraduate Bulletin
... Scholarship *Class Scholarships from the Senior Gift Program Coca Cola Foundation 1st Generation ... ... the loan must be made within five years after graduation. Students are recommended for this loan by ...
http://www.acusd.edu/bulletin/financialaid.html

22. Duke U-Duke Annual Fund-Gift Clubs
... qualify through their total combined giving. Gift Club Levels Cabinet Members of the Presidentís ... ... 5 to 9 years post-graduation $500 - $2,499 Young Alumni Washington Duke Club Senior year to 4 years ...
http://annualfund.duke.edu/pages/giftclubs.htm

23.
... cane, cane and walking stick, cane gift senior walking, cane fighting, antique walking stick ... ... customized, custom gift ideas, gift suggestions, personalized graduation, baby gift, personalized ...
http://www.expressgifts.c ...es-flowers-cards.html

24. University of Washington - Common Questions
... your address is listed correctly. If proof of graduation is needed before you receive your diploma in ... ... here. Q. How can I contribute toward the Senior Gift? A. Join your fellow seniors in leaving your ...
http://www.staff.washingt .../commonquestions.html

25. GraduationManiacs : TshirtManiacs. Novelty T-shirts & thongs : CafePress.com
... 2018 graduation t-shirts, senior high school t-shirts, clas Graduation Gift Items Graduation Gift items Senior items Senior t-shirts, thongs, and other gift items. Junior items Junior t-shirts ...
http://www.cafepress.com/tshirtmaniacs/574155

26. The Crystal gifts with graduation gifts and graduation gifts
... gifts gourmet food gift baskets unique valentines gifts gourmet food gifts senior gifts personalized gift graduation gift or gifts personalized gifts gift bags. Home and garden gifts angel gifts ...
http://crystal-gifts.hupex.com/

27. University of Mary Hardin-Baylor - Senior Class Info
... you will not walk in graduation if anything is left outstanding. Donít risk it! BOOKSTORE: Visit the bookstore for all your regalia, senior ring, invitation and graduate gift needs. CAREER SERVICES ...
http://alumni.umhb.edu/?SeniorClass

28. Whitney Georgina Hess
... Commencement Speaker, CMU English Dept Graduation Student-nominated May 2004 Senior Leadership ... ... s monthly faculty and staff newspaper Member Senior Gift Committee, CMUs Alumni Association COMPUTER ...
http://www.whitneyhess.com/resumes/current.html

29. Health, Weight Control, Vitamins, Religion & Other Self Improvent Links
... cane, cane and walking stick, cane gift senior walking, cane fighting, antique walking stick ... ... unique birthday gift, personalized gift idea, unique graduation gift, nostalgia gift, anecdote ...
http://www.ez-fill.com/he ...-newage-religion.html

30. Articles about The Department of Bioengineering
... Major Hwang Speaks on the Roads Ahead After Graduation - Jennifer Hwang (Engineering News, May 22 ... ... News, March 8, 2004) Meet the 2004 Senior Gift Committee - Philip Hoang, Alykhan Kurji and ...
http://bioeng.berkeley.edu/publications.html

31. Welcome to the Office of Development and External Affairs
... of alumni-supported change is alive at Stevens and is now beginning before graduation. The Senior Class Gift provides a chance for seniors to commemorate their experience at Stevens by ...
http://www.stevens.edu/de ...r_class_gift_2003.htm

32. The Collegian
... the university before graduation." The personal ... rise in giving this year. "For senior class participation, the fund ... and otherwise." Smith said the gift campaign would also give the ...
http://www.student.richmo ...29Sep2005/news10.html

33. 2005 MIT Senior Class Elections
... around with the Senior Gift Campaign! May 29 - June 2: Senior Week -- It's so big, it's more than a week...come celebrate! Have you ordered your tickets? June 3: Graduation! Congratulations! Thanks ...
http://web.mit.edu/seniorelect/

34. Marymount Manhattan: Senior year information
... Events Senior Class Gift Disability services Residence ... Internships Recycling at MMC Senior year information In order to ... graduates must apply for graduation. Students who have ...
http://www.mmm.edu/current/student/senioryear.html

35. Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University - Alumni - Honor Roll for Cla...
... be in bold if they have given each year since graduation. Finally, to recognize consecutive giving ... ... 1) Kent Tai-Lung Young (1) Class of 2002 Senior Gift Contribution - 55 Donors/162 Class Roll 34 ...
http://www.pratt.duke.edu .../2000s_honor_roll.php

36. Ohio University Bicentennial: Behind the Mosaic
... s bicentennial and to raise funds for its senior gift to the University. Finding the photos of the ... ... Lab and founded the company immediately upon graduation in June of 1996. His company has created ...
http://www.ohio.edu/bicentennial/mosaic/about.cfm

37. News -- Class of 2003 Gathers for Senior Convocation
... Monday afternoon on Copley Lawn, donning graduation caps and gowns, for the fourth annual senior ... ... of the senior class flag and the senior class gift ó a ìWelcome to Georgetownî sign at the ...
http://www.thehoya.com/news/051603/news1.cfm

38. Loyola University Chicago
... can you participate? Make a gift now Thank you for supporting the Senior Class Gift Challenge! Congratulations on your graduation from Loyola University Chicago! BACK / HOME / SITE INDEX Loyola ...
http://www.loyolachicagoa ...t/seniorclassgift.htm

39. The Circle
... to Holocaust cheapens significance of latter, Hayden Bates Graduation evokes memories of firsts and lasts, Gregory Paris Senior gift can and will help future generations, Jamie Marotta ...
http://www.maristcircle.c ...ue_date/20050505.html

40. Maryland Fund for Excellence
... of their graduation. It is your last tradition as a student, and your first as an alum! Your gift, in a round-a-bout way So, how is your class leaving their mark on campus? The Senior Council, a ...
http://www.mdexcellence.umd.edu/senior/

41. Senior Gift 2005
... find the initial level of $500 to be prohibitive during the first year or so after graduation. The 2005 Senior Gift is providing a graduated plan, beginning at the $100 level in 2005, to assist those ...
http://www.utalumni.tenne ... the Senior Gift.html

42. http://www.harborhs.santacruz.k12.ca.us/student/clubs/asb/
... These individuals work solely with the Class Officers to plan prom, the senior trip, senior gift, fund raisers, the Senior Auction, graduation and class meetings. The rest of the commissions are open ...

43. Graduation-favors.com - The Graduation Favors Website - Graduation Gift
... Annual fundraising drive for senior gift to be given at graduation. Useful links and information for seniors to maximize their college experiences.. The Engraved Gifts Store. Featuring gift ideas for ...
http://www.graduation-fav ...m/graduation-gift.htm

44. Virtual EMS
... 00 AM - 3:00 PM Senior Gift Distribution 8:00 AM - 9:15 AM LS 236-01: Yoga/Power Yoga 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Offline for Maintenance 26 more Events... 1 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM Clemson Graduation (Press Room) 8 ...
http://virtualems.cu.clemson.edu/BrowseEvents.aspx

45.
... civil air patrol senior members uniform photos gift baskets ideas christmas gifts for senior ... ... dating senior citizen birthday.E cards senior graduation songs mission d3 senior inline skates ...
http://senior-services.punkevil.com/

46. Clarkson University - Giving to Clarkson - Annual Giving - North Country Fri...
... remain in the region after graduation and become a vital part of ... Initiatives for the Future FAQ Gift Clubs Matching Gifts North ... Fund Phonathon Reunion Giving Senior Gift Volunteer Miss Annie ...
http://www.clarkson.edu/g ...ends_scholarship.html

47. Webum > Reference > Education > Products and Services > Graduation
... products, awards, and gifts, includes product catalog, college index, and student gift service. Senior Class Graduation and student recognition products including announcements and invitations, cap ...
http://www.en.webum.org/R ..._Services/Graduation/

48. Graduation Gown Resource / Graduation Gift / Graduation-gown.com
... Annual fundraising drive for senior gift to be given at graduation. Useful links and information for seniors to maximize their college experiences.. Graduation Speech At The Evergreen State College ...
http://www.graduation-gown.com/graduation-gift.htm

49. California Alumni Association at UC Berkeley - Student Area
... in the body and you will be added manually. Contribute to the Senior Class Gift! Join us at the following events... Graduation Orientation Don't miss this 30-minute brown bag that will give you ...
http://alumni.berkeley.ed ...ians/Seniors/main.asp

50. The University of Tennessee: Site Index
... Knoxville) Graduate Studies (Knoxville) Graduation Graduate Students (Knoxville) Undergraduate ... ... of Theory and Practice in Teacher Education Senior Gift Smoky Mountain Field School Soccer, Women's ...
http://www.utk.edu/text/alpha.shtml

51. A Cow's Life
... and pictures, etc. as the traditional "senior gift." We also got all the other Marysville music ... ... me, since I need it to graduate. Speaking of graduation...did I mention that it is almost here ...
http://www.acowslife.com/2005_06_01_archive.php

52. Countdown to Commencement
... Madison long after graduation. Find out about the Wisconsin Union's life membership program and how to keep your connection to the Union Terrace. Contribute to a senior class gift with the help of UW ...
http://www.uwalumni.com/countdown/

53. Gift Baskets - Senior - Compare Products and Prices at MyShopping.com.au
... Congratulations Father's Day Get Well Graduation Love & Romance Mother's Day New Home Newborns Sympathy Thank You Wedding Gift Baskets - Senior Truffle Box Small Sweeten someones day ...
http://www.myshopping.com ...ts_Senior__fs_628_e__

54. Senior Class Council
Florida State University Student Government Association |Calendar|Senior Class Gift|FSU Home|Student Government Associations|Graduation Information|Statutes|Meeting Minutes|
http://www.fsu.edu/~sga/scc/

55. Carlos Ramos-Mrosovsky on Harvard and Sudan on National Review Online
... mark graduation with modest gifts to the university, in a gesture that is supposed to start a lifetime of support. This year, student divestment advocates launched a program called Senior Gift Plus ...
http://www.nationalreview ...ovsky200504190750.asp

56. Support, Give & Donate to Trinity, Trinity International University (v. ...
... Dean Washington The Senior Challenge is a student-led campaign that highlights the importance of giving to Trinity with an initial gift before graduation. The goal was to increase the percentage of ...
http://www.trin.edu/support/senior_challenge.htm