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Graduation

Inspiring and meaningful gifts for adults (or almost adults)

Graduation, Seussian Favorites

Dr. Seuss’s wonderfully wise Oh, the Places You’ll Go! is the perfect gift to celebrate all of our special milestones—from graduations to birthdays and beyond! From soaring to high heights and seeing great sights to being left in a Lurch on a prickle-ly perch, Dr. Seuss addresses life’s ups and downs with his trademark humorous verse and whimsical illustrations. The inspiring and timeless message encourages readers to find the success that lies within, no matter what challenges they face. A perennial favorite and a perfect gift for anyone starting a new phase in their life!
average rating is 4.9 out of 5, based on 44236 votes, reviews

Dr. Seuss

Lovey Dovey, NY Times Best Sellers, Graduation

From brave and bold to creative and clever, Emily Winfield Martin's rhythmic rhyme expresses all the loving things that parents think of when they look at their children. With beautiful, and sometimes humorous, illustrations, and a clever gatefold with kids in costumes, this is a book grown-ups will love reading over and over to kids—both young and old. A great gift for any occasion, but a special stand-out for baby showers, birthdays, and graduation. The Wonderful Things You Will Be has a loving and truthful message that will endure for lifetimes.
average rating is 4.9 out of 5, based on 26631 votes, reviews

Emily Winfield Martin

Emotions, Lovey Dovey, Graduation, Grief

Specifically written to address children's fear of being apart from the ones they love, The Invisible String delivers a particularly compelling message in today's uncertain times that though we may be separated from the ones we care for, whether through anger, or distance or even death, love is the unending connection that binds us all, and, by extension, ultimately binds every person on the planet to everyone else. Parents and children everywhere who are looking for reassurance and reaffirmation of the transcendent power of love, to bind, connect and comfort us through those inevitable times when life challenges us!
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 20024 votes, reviews

Patrice Karst

Geoff Stevenson

Being Yourself, NY Times Best Sellers, Graduation, Celebrity Authors

A #1 New York Times bestseller and Goodreads Choice Awards picture book winner! This is the perfect gift for mothers and daughters, baby showers, and graduation. This gorgeous, lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another comes from Empire actor and activist Grace Byers and talented newcomer artist Keturah A. Bobo. We are all here for a purpose. We are more than enough. We just need to believe it. Plus don't miss I Believe I Can—the next beautiful picture celebrating self-esteem from Grace Byers and Keturah A. Bobo!
average rating is 4.9 out of 5, based on 11635 votes, reviews

Grace Byers

Keturah A. Bobo

Poetry, Graduation

Shel Silverstein, the New York Times bestselling author of The Giving Tree, A Light in the Attic, Falling Up, and Every Thing On It, has created a poetry collection that is outrageously funny and deeply profound. Come in . . . for where the sidewalk ends, Shel Silverstein's world begins. You'll meet a boy who turns into a TV set, and a girl who eats a whale. The Unicorn and the Bloath live there, and so does Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout who will not take the garbage out. It is a place where you wash your shadow and plant diamond gardens, a place where shoes fly, sisters are auctioned off, and crocodiles go to the dentist. Shel Silverstein's masterful collection of poems and drawings stretches the bounds of imagination and will be cherished by readers of all ages. This is a collection that belongs on everyone's bookshelf. Makes a great gift for special occasions such as holidays, birthdays, and graduation.
average rating is 4.9 out of 5, based on 11075 votes, reviews

Shel Silverstein

Compassion, Emotions, Graduation, NY Times Best Sellers

What the Road Said is the New York Times-bestselling comforting and uplifting picture book from bestselling poet and activist Cleo Wade. Which way do I go? That is your choice to make, said the Road. But what if I go the wrong way? The Road curved a little, almost as if it was giving me a hug, and said, Do not worry. Sometimes we go the wrong way on our way to the right way. It's okay to be afraid or to sometimes wander down the wrong path. Bestselling poet and activist Cleo Wade's What the Road Said features illustrations by Lucie de Moyencourt and encourages us to lead with kindness and curiosity, remembering that the most important thing we can do in life is to keep going.
average rating is 4.9 out of 5, based on 1961 votes, reviews

Cleo Wade

Lucie de Moyencourt

Graduation, Life Lessons

Filled with humorous, practical tips for getting the most out of life, this Little Golden Book "guide to life" is the perfect keepsake gift to celebrate birthdays and other new beginnings and milestones for readers of any age who cherish the classic little books with the gold foil spines! This humorous guide offers advice for getting the most out of life, the Little Golden Book way! Drawn from beloved classics like The Poky Little Puppy, We Help Mommy, and many more classics, important lessons such as "Remember to stop and smell the strawberries," "Don't forget to enjoy your wedding," and "Be a hugger" are paired with iconic images by Richard Scarry, Eloise Wilkin, Mary Blair, Garth Williams, and more.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 1383 votes, reviews

Diane Muldrow

Graduation, Thinking Big

With his stunning watercolors -- and text that resounds with universal truths, award-winning artist Jon J Muth has transformed a story by Tolstoy into a timeless fable for young readers. A perfect gift for graduation--or any occasion--by a Caldecott Honor Book Artist!"Quietly life changing..." --The New York TimesYoung Nikolai is searching for the answers to his three questions: When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do?But it is his own response to a stranger's cry for help that leads him directly to the answers he is looking for. This profound and inspiring book is about compassion and being engaged in each moment. With his stunning watercolors -- and text that resounds with universal truths, Jon J Muth has transformed a story by Leo Tolstoy into a timeless fable for readers of every age!
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 970 votes, reviews

Jon J. Muth

Seussian Favorites, Graduation, Bravery

A perennial favorite and a perfect gift for anyone starting a new phase in their life! Dr. Seuss tackles the struggles of everyday life’s—difficult people, bullies, bad weather, political unrest, even crowds—in the rhyming picture book I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew. When our hero stubs his toe, he decides to find a less troublesome place to live. Soon he's off on a journey "to the City of Solla Sollew, on the banks of the beautiful River Wah-Hoo, where they never have troubles! At least, very few." But between his encounters with the Midwinter Jicker and the Perilous Poozer of Pompelmoose Pass, he soon finds out that confronting his problems might actually be easier than running away from them. A funny story that can be read purely for entertainment, I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew is ideal for sparking discussions. It’s message—that the best way to deal with an obstacle is by tackling it head-on—makes this an perfect gift for all ages and occasions—especially graduations!
average rating is 4.9 out of 5, based on 922 votes, reviews

Dr. Seuss

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Art, Growth Mindset, Graduation

Zoom meets Beautiful Oops! in this memorable picture book debut about the creative process, and the way in which "mistakes" can blossom into inspiration One eye was bigger than the other. That was a mistake. The weird frog-cat-cow thing? It made an excellent bush. And the inky smudges… they look as if they were always meant to be leaves floating gently across the sky. As one artist incorporates accidental splotches, spots, and misshapen things into her art, she transforms her piece in quirky and unexpected ways, taking readers on a journey through her process. Told in minimal, playful text, this story shows readers that even the biggest “mistakes” can be the source of the brightest ideas—and that, at the end of the day, we are all works in progress, too. Fans of Peter Reynolds’s Ish and Patrick McDonnell’s A Perfectly Messed-Up Story will love the funny, poignant, completely unique storytelling of The Book of Mistakes. And, like Oh, The Places You’ll Go!, it makes the perfect graduation gift, encouraging readers to have a positive outlook as they learn to face life’s obstacles.
average rating is 4.7 out of 5, based on 842 votes, reviews

Corinna Luyken

Graduation, Famous Quotes

Pete the Cat’s guide to living a groovy life! Everyone's favorite cat shares his inspirational and feel-good quotes in Pete the Cat's Groovy Guide to Life—a fun graduation gift for groovy cats of all ages. Pete's glass-half-full outlook on life shines through as he adds his fun take on well-known classics attributed to luminaries from Albert Einstein to Confucius to Abraham Lincoln to Shakespeare and more! Fans of Pete the Cat will delight in this amusing look at quotes that are accompanied by Pete's witty responses and Pete illustrations by New York Times bestselling artist James Dean.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 608 votes, reviews

James Dean

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Boynton Bests, Graduation, NY Times Best Sellers, Perseverance

A New York Times bestseller! Beloved author Sandra Boynton—and a very exuberant chicken!—have an important message to share in this inspiring and highly giftable all-ages picture book for every life milestone. Whether you are learning to skate, baking a cake, or even making a mistake, this hilarious and heartfelt rhyming book reminds us that trying our best is reason to celebrate. From children trying to master new skills to adults who had a hard week at work, we all get overwhelmed sometimes and need reassurance. And who better to offer it than a chicken exclaiming: “WOO HOO! YOU’RE DOING GREAT!” The ideal gift to cheer on kids and adults through life’s milestones—both big and small—including moving up ceremonies and graduations, birthdays, testing out a hobby, starting out somewhere new, and so much more.
average rating is 4.9 out of 5, based on 383 votes, reviews

Sandra Boynton

Encouragement, Graduation

A BANK STREET BEST CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR! With Eric Carle’s signature bright illustrations featuring an array of charming animals, You Are Ready! encourages us to be open to new possibilities and be brave in the face of the changes and challenges that life lays in front of us. Like Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss, in this book Eric Carle reminds young readers that the key to achieving all they desire lies within. This book is the perfect gift for graduation or for anyone of all ages ready for their next big step. You are ready. It is time for you to spread your wings and fly. The world can seem like a scary place. But you are ready. Other favorite classic books from Eric Carle include The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Grouchy Ladybug, From Head to Toe, and many others.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 354 votes, reviews

Eric Carle

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Graduation, Fables

Ideal for graduates! A gorgeous new edition of the universal fable that has inspired seekers of all ages to follow their heart’s desire. Ask yourself where it is you want to go. . . . It is often said that life is a journey, and it’s true. But sometimes it’s hard to know which path to follow, when signs point in so many directions. In this beautifully illustrated book, Peter H. Reynolds once again encourages readers to observe, to wonder, and to consider diverging from the well-worn path—to pursue their dreams. Originally published ten years ago, The North Star has had a profound effect on its many readers. This edition, featuring all-new art, celebrates the book’s own decade-long voyage connecting people around the world. It has inspired classroom activities, a musical, and thousands more thoughtful journeys.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 309 votes, reviews

Peter H. Reynolds

Bravery, Graduation

For graduates, for their parents, for anyone facing change, here is a gorgeously illustrated and stunningly heartfelt ode to the challenges of growing up and letting go. A story of the seasons and stepping stones as poignant for parents as for their kids, from the creator of Otis the tractor and illustrator of Love by Matt de la Pena. "Long’s gentle but powerful story about a young tree who holds tight to his leaves, even as everyone else lets theirs drop, takes on nothing less than the pain and sorrow of growing up. . . . As in Long’s unaccountably profound books about Otis the tractor, a pure white background somehow adds to the depth."—The New York Times Book Review In the middle of a little forest, there lives a Little Tree who loves his life and the splendid leaves that keep him cool in the heat of long summer days. Life is perfect just the way it is. Autumn arrives, and with it the cool winds that ruffle Little Tree's leaves. One by one the other trees drop their leaves, facing the cold of winter head on. But not Little Tree—he hugs his leaves as tightly as he can. Year after year Little Tree remains unchanged, despite words of encouragement from a squirrel, a fawn, and a fox, his leaves having long since turned brown and withered. As Little Tree sits in the shadow of the other trees, now grown sturdy and tall as though to touch the sun, he remembers when they were all the same size. And he knows he has an important decision to make. From #1 New York Times bestselling Loren Long comes a gorgeously-illustrated story that challenges each of us to have the courage to let go and to reach for the sun.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 291 votes, reviews

Loren Long

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Being Yourself, Graduation

The perfect preschool and pre-k graduation gift, Hooray for You! is a celebration of You-Ness, the grand sum of mind, body and heart that makes every person truly unique by bestselling author Marianne Richmond. Look in the mirror. Love who you see. Stand tall. Smile big. Shout, "Hooray for me!" A welcome appreciation of the wonderfulness in us all in the vein of The Wonderful Things You Will Be and I Wish You More! It's the perfect kindergarten book to celebrate what makes your kids unique!
average rating is 4.7 out of 5, based on 279 votes, reviews

Marianne Richmond

Graduation, Modern Men

What hopes do you have for the future? Who do you long to become? This warm, inspiring book encourages boys to shape a world so much gentler and brighter than before. Playful rhymes and tender illustrations invite them to notice nature, embrace their emotions, and use wise words as their weapons. Whether they’re dynamic dazzlers or marvelous mud sculptors, this book is an opportunity to imagine all the incredible adventures up ahead. A perfect gift for baby showers, graduations, and other celebrations, Songs for Our Sons is a book boys will treasure throughout their lives.
average rating is 4.6 out of 5, based on 155 votes, reviews

Ruth Doyle

Ashling Lindsay

Graduation, Diverse Leads

My child, my little one, Who will you be when you are grown? There's loving kindness in your eyes, like your daddy's and boldness in your heart, like your grandma's. Will you be like them? So begins this loving picture book about a mama who wonders who her child will grow up to be. Will her little one be curious like Grandpa and adventurous like Auntie Amina? Compassionate like Amy and joyful like cousin Curlena? Moving from family members to the wider community, she muses about which attributes her child will possess. A perfect gift for a baby shower, birthday, or graduation. Who Will You Be? features gorgeous artwork and gentle words that celebrate childhood and is an ode to the power of our village--and a reminder that every child is uniquely wonderful.
average rating is 4.6 out of 5, based on 150 votes, reviews

Andrea Pippins

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Graduation, Thinking Big

A perfect gift for every milestone and big moment―from graduation to new beginnings―You Will Do Great Things is a lyrical, magical picture book about the great possibilities that lie ahead for our little ones. A young boy's imagination takes off as he gazes at family photos, whisking him off on a fantastical journey. Along the way, the boy tries exciting and bold new things, ventures into unexplored worlds, and forms deep connections with his multicultural heritage and the ancestors who imbue him with the strength and courage to make a difference. Amerie has written a moving, sweeping, and deeply loving story that is inspired by her own family. It is a celebration of everything our little ones have yet to do: the great, the amazing, the strange, and the new. It's also a lasting reminder that the loved ones in our lives will always be right there beside us―and in our hearts―cheering us on. An absolutely perfect gift for special moments from baby showers and new baby celebrations, to graduations, and everything in between.
average rating is 4.7 out of 5, based on 91 votes, reviews

Amerie

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Raissa Figueroa

NY Times Best Sellers, Being Yourself, Graduation

From #1 New York Times bestselling creator Peter H. Reynolds and talented debut author Marc Colagiovanni comes an inspirational story about optimism, overcoming adversity, and forging your own path. "One day for no particular reason, nothing was going right. Absolutely positively, nothing was going right. So, I decided to go left..." Told through creative language play, and with depth and whimsy, this picture book reminds readers of their own agency and the power they have to direct their own path. Marc Colagiovanni’s lyrical text and Peter H. Reynolds's stunning art create an enduring message of strength and perseverance that is both universal and personal, and one that readers will be drawn to over and over again. This first of two new picture books created in collaboration with Marc and Peter will inspire, affirm, and reassure readers at key milestone moments in every young reader's life. When Things Aren't Going Right, Go Left makes an inspiring graduation gift as well as a must-have, uplifting read sure to bring positivity to all who read it and remind us that even when nothing is going right… we can always choose to go left.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 82 votes, reviews

Marc Colagiovanni

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Peter H. Reynolds

Graduation, Strong Female Leads, Voicing Opinions

What hopes do you have for the future? Who do you long to become? This empowering book encourages young girls to become leaders unafraid to stand up for themselves and others. The world’s been waiting for them, and there’s so much to discover! Warm, loving rhymes and tenderly detailed illustrations help readers imagine the thousands of adventures up ahead. Each new day is a chance to become a keeper of kindness and a champion of change, an imaginative explorer who listens well and speaks the truth. A perfect gift for baby showers, graduations, and other celebrations, Dreams for Our Daughters is a book girls will treasure throughout their lives.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 36 votes, reviews

Ruth Doyle

Ashling Lindsay

Graduation

meaningful additions

Children learn and hear more than we think.  Books provide context for new and potentially confusing topics, and give caregivers a way to approach complex topics.

Balanced Rocks
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