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Do you remember counting the cash for high school graduation? I was so excited for any amount because I wanted to buy a mountain bike – a Specialized Rock Hopper – which I did and it lasted me many, many years.
While I still think money is the best gift for a graduate, add meaning and wisdom without spending a fortune, and give a book, too. Here are some suggestions. And, no, I’m not going to list Dr. Seuss’ Oh, The Places You’ll Go. (I think I got three copies of that book for my graduation. We all did.)
Everything Is Going To Be Okay, a book for you or someone like you by Bruce Eric Kaplan
A perfect book for the thoughtful person who enjoys ironic humor. I liked it. It’s not your typical book; it’s picture book filled with life lessons. Better yet, it’s an illustrated book on the meaning of life. The author, Bruce Eric Kaplan, is a New Yorker cartoonist, television comedy writer, and was an executive producer for the acclaimed HBO series Six Feet Under, as well as a writer on Seinfeld. He also wrote Monsters Eat Whiny Children, a funny, off-beat book for kids.
Ish by Peter Reynolds
Learn to live “ish-ly” instead of “getting it right” says this fable from the creator of the award-winning picture book, The Dot. Inspiring for a life lived outside the lines. I’m a fan of anything Reynolds writes.
Beautiful Oops by Barney Salzberg
Salzberg, a great friend of mine, shows us how even mistakes have possibilities to be something beautiful. It’s a mantra to live by and one which we love in our house. When we mess up, we look for ways to make it “a beautiful oops” thanks to this book.
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
“We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand,” Pausch writes. This book is one to highlight for rereading and reflection. It’s one of my all time favorite books of wisdom. Ever.
Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath
To help people uncover their talents and using decades of research, Gallup introduced StrengthsFinder to help individuals discover their top five talents. I loved this book – it’s a very helpful tool in self-assessment. I used it when I decided not to go back to teaching full-time and focused on writing full-time.
Any other gift suggestions?
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Melissa Taylor is a mom and educator from Denver who is passionate about playful learning. Thanks for visiting the site!
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[...] The Best Books to Give for Graduation [...]
I am bookmarking this post. GREAT IDEAS (and graduations coming up!). I also wanted to suggest Oh The Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss. There is a special graduation edition with stuff.
http://www.pragmaticmom.com/?p=7866
My babysitter alum from Boston College said that she would have loved it as a college gift too! I wasn’t sure if she was too old for it but apparently not!
Oh… also wanted to add that my husband’s career coach had him do the StrengthFinder 2.0 when he did a career change.
The Last Lecture is the most inspiring book I have ever read.
I would like to also suggest “Rich Dad Poor Dad for Teens: The Secrets about Money–That You Don’t Learn in School!” by Robert T. Kiyosaki.
I’d add “Perfect Square” to your list.
[...] What to Give for Graduation [...]