These Books Make Perfect Presents for Graduates of All Ages

The Complete Tales of Winnie-The-Pooh, by A.A. Milne and Ernest H. Shepard
This gentle, honey-loving bear, who has been charming millions since the original publication of his stories in 1926 and 1928, is ready to become a part of your favorite graduate’s celebration. This substantial volume combines Winnie-the-Pooh with its successor, The House at Pooh Corner. Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, and Christopher Robin are rendered in their original forms for readers of all ages to enjoy. Fall in love with Milne’s seminal work all over again this year. We’re certain you’ll want to keep a copy just as much as you’ll want to give one away.

Where the Sidewalk Ends: Poems and Drawings, by Shel Silverstein
While the messages and rhymes are ostensibly simple and silly, Silverstein’s classic is actually a deep meditation on the simplicity and silliness of life itself. Flip through this book and you’ll realize that there’s no reason to make things so hard—life is meant to be challenging, but it’s also supposed to be enjoyable. Giving a graduate this book is the perfect way to remind her to find humor even in tough times.

The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Cherished the world over, The Little Prince is a compact volume that might just hold the key to understanding the meaning of life—a fitting gift for ambitious graduates, right? Translated from its original French, The Little Prince is the tale of a man who crashes his plane over the Sahara Desert and consequently encounters a tiny prince from another planet who possesses a tantalizing secret.

What Do You Do With an Idea?, by Kobi Yamada and Mae Besom
The eureka! moment from which a new idea materializes is thrilling, but sharing that idea with the world can be scary. This story follows one child—and his brilliant idea—on a very exciting journey. As the child grows and gains confidence, so does his idea. When the time is right, the idea, which has now matured into a full-blown concept, is released into the world, and the black and white illustrations come to life in big, bold color. Reminiscent of Shel Silverstein and Maurice Sendak, this is an exceptionally inspirational tale for graduates young and old, and destined to become a classic.

Once Upon an Alphabet: Short Stories for All the Letters, by Oliver Jeffers
From A to Z, every letter has a story, and your grad will be thankful that Jeffers took the time to articulate and interweave each letter’s remarkable tale in this delightful compendium. In fact, if you knew a grad who could actually recognize an encyclopedia, they might tell you that this book is like a Britannica volume that’s actually fun to read.

The Little Engine That Could, by Watty Piper and Loren Long
“I think I can” has become an unofficial mantra for generations of earnest children, and it’s certainly a fitting phrase for anyone crossing the stage to accept a hard-earned diploma this spring. In this edition, the classic tale of a determined little engine who believed in himself is brought to life in vivid color and sensitivity by the beloved illustrator of the Otis picture books. Once you’ve reread this special tale, it might be hard to give it away.

Rosie Revere, Engineer, by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts
This charming picture book, from one of our favorite writer and illustrator teams, features Rosie Revere, a young girl who, while small in stature, has some pretty big ideas. She dreams of flying, and late at night, when she’s supposed to be asleep, she’s is always hard at work on some gadget. This pint-sized inventor is the great-great niece of none other than Rosie the Riveter, and when Aunt Rosie comes to visit, Rosie Revere learns some very important lessons about never giving up. While the mixed media illustrations are lighthearted, they underscore a powerful message.

The Giving Tree: 50th Anniversary Edition, by Shel Silverstein
While I am still unable to read this story without crying, I do wholeheartedly support it as a gift for graduates, for while they may resemble the Boy today, someday they will become more like the Tree. Both roles are admirable and challenging. Make sure that your graduate has a copy of this book before he heads off to pursue his next set of goals—you’ll thank us later.

Oh, the Places You’ll Go, by Dr. Seuss
It’s clear to see why Dr. Seuss’s uplifting tale for “out-starting upstarts of all ages” is a perennial graduate gift favorite. The lilting verse is whimsical and wise, and the lessons in the story have never become outdated. It’s a perfect read-aloud—and read-over-and-over-again—tale, and a powerfully fun way to celebrate the members of our youngest generation as they take off and find their own way in the world.

What a Wonderful World, by Bob Thiele, George David Weiss, Louis Armstrong, and Tim Hopgood
We all know Armstrong’s rumbling baritone, and the happy feeling those first strains of this joyful song give us, but have you ever considered what that song might look like? Tim Hopgood offers a captivating visual representation of Armstrong’s classic tune in this delightful picture book, inviting us to follow a small child and his bluebird companion through a whimsical universe filled with bold yellow suns, puffy clouds, and shooting stars. Hope, love, and wonder abound in this book, which suggests to a new generation that a peaceful world is still within our reach.
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