We only have two weeks left until Noah is officially finished with Kindergarten. Where has the time gone?! I am finding it so hard to believe that the school year is almost over.
A few years ago I came across the sweetest idea for a high school graduation gift. I know we aren’t anywhere close to our kids graduating high school but this is a gift that the parents started for their child long before high school even started.
Today I am sharing my take on the sweetest graduation gift idea that you can start for your kids now.
this post contains affiliate links.
GRADUATION GIFT TO START NOW
The graduation gift is a children’s picture book filled with notes from teachers and other important mentors in your child’s life starting from kindergarten (or whenever you choose to start) and going through high school. The idea is that by the time your child graduates, they’ll have tons of encouraging words and special memories from all of the individuals who helped them get to where they are today- graduation day!
When I saw this idea several years ago, the parents used the Dr. Seuss book Oh, the Places You’ll Go!. This is a great book, and so perfect for this graduation gift. But there are so many other really sweet options, too!
For Connor, we are using the book Wherever You Go by Pat Zietlow Miller. This book is about the roads an adventurous rabbit will have to travel on as he explores over mountains and through the city. This book “celebrates the possibilities that lie beyond the next bend in the road–the same road that will always lead you home again”.
“Roads give you chances to seek and explore. Want an adventure? Just open your door.”
And the book we chose for Noah is The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin. “This book is a celebration of possibilities and the love parents feel for their children…whoever and whatever they may become!”
“When I look at you
And you look at me,
I wonder what wonderful
Things you will be.”
It is impossible for me to read either of these books without crying, especially when I read them to my boys. They are so sweet and perfectly describe the love and excitement we have for our boys as they grow and experience life.
Other picture book options:
You certainly can use any book that you want for this gift. I tried to pick books that have an overall theme of trying hard, doing your best, being brave and remembering where you came from.
I Wish You More: An “inspirational book for kids of endless good wishes. Wishes for curiosity and wonder, for friendship and strength, laughter and peace. This sweet and uplifting book is perfect for wishers of every age.”
If I Never Forever Endeavor: “Safe inside his cozy nest, a young bird considers whether or not to give his new wings a try. What if he tries and the wings don’t work, and he flails, plummets, and looks foolish? Then again, what if his wings take him swooping and gliding, sailing and flying through a great big wonderful world?”
Love The Fur You’re In: This book is so special and unique and filled with advice from Sesame Street. The book is illustrated with 50 years of art from classic Sesame Street children’s books. “Written with great heart and great humor, this hardcover book contains advice for being true to one’s self and living life with a Sesame Street perspective–finding that sunny day! Inside you’ll find treasures like: “Get out in the rain and dance!” “Don’t hide your light under a trashcan lid.”
Be Brave Little One: This story is written to honor and celebrate the bravery in your child. This book is perfect for a child just finishing school and getting ready to head out into the world.
“When I look at you,
shining bright as the sun,
I wish for you this…
be brave little one!”
Dear Boy: “an open love letter to the special boy in your life. Boys, too, need a gentle reminder that they are cool, clever, compassionate, and one of a kind.”
Dear Girl: “a remarkable love letter written for the special girl in your life; a gentle reminder that she’s powerful, strong, and holds a valuable place in the world.”
Remarkably You: This is a super sweet story encouraging us to celebrate all the things- big or small- that make us who we are.
“You might go unnoticed, or shine like a star,
but wherever you go and whoever you are…
don’t change how you act to be just like the rest.
Believe in yourself and the things you do best.”
You’re Here For A Reason: This is another one that I can’t read without crying. This book tells the reader that not only are we glad they are here but that they belong here.
“You’re here for a reason. If you think you’re not
I would just say that perhaps you forgot . . .
a piece of the world that is precious and dear would surely be missing if you weren’t here.
If not for your smile and your laugh and your heart
this place we call home would be minus a part.
Thank goodness you’re here!
Thank goodness times two!
I just can’t imagine a world without you.”
A couple of weeks before school ends I email the boys’ teachers and let them know about the gift. I ask them to write a special note to the boys on any page in the book and then return it to me. I make sure to let them know this is a surprise and ask that they don’t mention it to them. For now, I send it to school in a canvas bag and instruct the boys to not look in the bag and to just give it to their teachers. I may need to get more creative with how I get it to the teachers as the boys get older and more curious. But for now, this is working out just fine.
It is totally up to you if you plan to keep this a graduation day surprise for your child or if you want to let them read the notes as they receive them each year. I hope to be able to keep this a surprise for Connor and Noah (and eventually Audrey, too!) as long as possible and would love for them to not know about it until their graduation day.
Another thing I add to this graduation gift is a short note written by me at the end of each year. I don’t write this in the actual book because I want to make sure there is enough room for all of their teachers. Instead, I write it out on paper and keep it inside of the book. I like to include any special milestones that happened that school year in my note. And I just express how proud I am of how much they grew that year.
Have you started this special graduation gift for your kids? If so, what book did you choose?
If you haven’t started this yet and you have older kids, don’t worry! You can totally start this wherever your kids are in their school journey. Your kids will love reading the notes and words of encouragement from their teachers no matter when you start the book.
SHOP THE POST
