Graduation books are children’s books that share a common theme or exploring the world, moving on and growing up that parents buy and ask teachers to sign at the end of each school year. They are sweet and encouraging, full of wisdom and hope for the future. And even though most of them talk about the next adventure and hopes for the loved ones who are growing up, many of them also bring up the point that there is someone waiting for them at home ready to welcome them back and hear about their adventures.
The perfect time to buy one of these books is when the child starts kindergarten or high school. Then about two months before the end of the school year or the semester, ask each of your child’s teacher to sign the book without your child’s knowledge. You can ask the teachers to write a short note to your child that includes their best memory of your child, something they loved about him or her, or a few words of wisdom for the future. It is also good to add the subject the teacher taught and grade or year. These books signed by teachers make a very thoughtful and memorable graduation gift.
A few years back an article entitled One Dad’s Ultimate Graduation Gift took 13 Years to Make. What Have You Got? flashed in front of my eyes as I was scrolling through my Facebook feed. Over the few years many parents used this idea to start similar tradition for their kids. Dr. Seuss’ Oh, The Places You’ll Go is probably the most popular book parents ask teachers to sign when starting this unique tradition. However, there are many other wonderful books that may suit your child even better. Here are some of the best books for teachers to sign each year.
Amazing Kid’s End-of-the-Year Books for Teachers to Sign
I Wish You More
I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld is a perfect gift. It talk about the “wishes for curiosity and wonder, for friendship and strength, laughter and peace. Whether celebrating life’s joyous milestones, sharing words of encouragement, or observing the wonder of everyday moments, this sweet and uplifting book is perfect for wishers of every age.”
I wish you more ups than downs.
I wish you more give than take.
I wish you more tippy-toes than deep.
I wish you more we than me.
I wish you more hugs than ughs.
Yay, You! Moving Up and Moving On
Yay, You! Moving Up and Moving On written by Sandra Boynton is another great book for teachers to sign each year for your child as it was written by the author for her son as a graduation gift. The book is lyrical yet logical. It encourages children to celebrate who they are, find what they want to do in life and to go after it. So why not send your child off into the world with these wonderful words:
You did it!
You’re done!
You made it!
You’re through!
Whatever you do, whether near or so far, I know you’ll be great.
You already are.
I Knew You Could!
Remember Little Engine that Could? Well, I Knew Your Could!: A Book for All the Stops in Your Life by Craig Dorfman can be considered a revisited version of this wonderful classic. The book brings the reality of life to the forefront by reminding us that sometimes we don’t stay on the path we chose and we keep looking for new paths to follow. And it encourages kids to persevere and to believe in themselves.
There’s more about life that you’ll learn as you go,
Because figuring things out on your own helps you grow.
Just trust in yourself, and you’ll climb every hill,
Say, “I think I can” and you know what?
You will.
The Wonderful Things You Will Be
Emily Winfield Martin puts courage of the heart and kindness above all else in this wonderfully written and illustrated book. The Wonderful Things You Will Be “… expresses all the loving things that parents think of when they look at their children.” It also encourages children to look at things with open mind and open heart while celebrating child’s nature and personality. Because of that it is comes highly recommended as one of the books for teachers to sign each year as they too want your child to become a kind-hearted adult.
Will you learn how to fly
To find the best view?
Or take care of things
much smaller than you?
The North Star
The North Star by Peter H. Raynolds is a great book that shows the reader that just because there is a path before you, it does not mean that you have to take it. It encourages kids to consider their dreams and decide on their own path in life instead of following the crowd. A truly perfect book to consider for a graduation present.
“Well… I’ve been following the path.
It seems as if many people have taken it before me,
and there have been many signs along the way…
and a very helpful cat guided me back to the path
when I started to wonder”
The Crickets fell silent as the bird asked,
“But where do YOU want to be going?”
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Your Magnificent Chooser
Your Magnificent Chooser: Teaching Kids to Make Godly Choices written By John Ortberg is another excellent choice for a book to give teachers to sign. It’s a wonderful story that shows kids that the choices they make today will have impact on the adults they will become tomorrow. It teaches them to trust their intuition and to realize that they can always change their mind about the decisions they made.
There are wonderful things
That your Chooser can do
For your Chooser you see
Is what makes you just you!
What Do You Do with an Idea
Kobi Yamada did a wonderful job exploring the idea of believing in oneself and inspiring kids to persistently follow their ideas. This amazing book encourages kids to dream big, to have the confidence to go after their dreams and to let their heart and their feelings guide them. After all, many ideas, no matter how small or elusive, can change any situation.
But there was something magical about my idea.
I had to admit,
I felt better and happier when it was around.
All Our Wild Wonder
The book blurb says it best: “All Our Wild Wonder is a vibrant tribute to extraordinary educators and a celebration of learning. The perfect gift for the mentors in our lives, this charming, illustrated poem reminds us of the beauty in, and importance of, cultivating curiosity, creativity, and confidence in others. ”
So if you’re looking for a book that will let the teachers know that you appreciate their role in your child’s life, this would definitely be one of the top books for teachers to sign each year for your child’s graduation gift.
She made us wonder. She made us question.
She made us proud of what we had learned.
She taught us to share.
She taught us to listen to each other
when someone else is speaking.
And then she let us go.
Edmund Unravels
Real Simple describes this fun book by Andrew Colb quiet well. “Edmund, an adorable ball of yarn, sets off to explore the world. He meets interesting people and visits exciting places, but ultimately, finds that he can’t head out into the world alone without a little support from his family.”
Even though a graduation is an end to one thing, it is also a beginning to something else. And that’s what makes it a wonderful ‘transition’ book for the teacher’s to sign.
It’s funny – when talking about a ball of yarn,
the end is actually the beginning.
Only One You
This wonderful book written by Linda Kranz is a great collection of aspirational cliches. “Adri’s mama and papa share some of the wisdom they have gained through the years with their eager son. Their words, simple and powerful, are meant to comfort and guide him as he goes about exploring the world.”
This is a great book to ask teachers to sign and to share a piece of advice, a lesson or a piece of wisdom from their own experience with your child.
Always be on the lookout for a new friend.
Look for the beauty wherever you are, and keep the memory of it with you.
Blend in when you need to. Stand out when you have the chance.
Find your own way. You don’t have to follow the crowd.
Curious You: On Your Way!
Written by H. A. Rey, this beautiful book is a perfect choice for a graduation book. “This inspirational story reminds readers young and old who are moving up or moving on that they have a special someone cheering for them as far as their curiosity can take them!”
Since the book is a gateway to new experiences, it is a perfect gift to mark a momentous occasion like graduation.
Of course the time comes when
a curious monkey needs to break free!
Even though you don’t know exactly
where you’re going…
or what will come next.
The Knowing Book
This little gem by Rebecca Kai Dotlich is a perfect sendoff book for any age. “In this inspiring story, a young rabbit travels through the wide world, experiencing joy and sorrow and wonder. Along the way he chooses a path and explores the unknown. And at the end of his journey, braver and more confident, he returns home—a place he can always count on.”
Even though your child is venturing off this little book of common sense wisdom. A great book to be ’embellished’ by the wisdom passed on from your child’s teachers in a form of short notes written inside the book.
Know this:
there is magic around you but it hides.
You might find it nestled in a wand or a spell,
but more likely in a penny or a prayer.
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An Awesome Book of Love
This wonderful book themed around love, written by Dallas Clayton, is a great way express your love no matter how young or old your children are. It acknowledges the daily challenges and at the same time reminds the reader that through it all there is love to be found. A very emotional and powerful book perfect for any life milestone.
“It’s like living life
With such strength and emotion
And knowing that waves
Are just part of the ocean”
If You Hold a Seed
Something magical happens when you plant a dream with a seed. With plenty of love and patience, they can blossom into an extraordinary gift. This book written by Elly MacKey is a perfect choice for teachers to sign each your. After all, they are often the ones who along with parents encourage their students to dream big, work hard, persevere through tough times, and to never give up.
If you hold a seed,
And make a wish,
And plant it in the ground…
Something magical can happen.
Happy Dreamer
This wonderful story by Peter Reynolds shows how much fun it is to be imaginative. It exposes the readers to all the different kinds of dreaming and encourages them to find their own, unique way to get inspired and to dream. Happy Dreamer is yet another book that will make a perfect gift for a primary or secondary graduation.
I am a happy dreamer.
I’m really good at dreaming.
Daydreams. Big dreams.
Little dreams. Creative dreams.
Dreamer maximus!
You’re Here for a Reason
This book, written by Nancy Tillman reminds its readers that they are here for a reason. It encourages them to be resilient, persistent and to never give up on their dream. A perfect book to ask your child’s teachers to sign each year. No matter what level of schooling they are graduating from, this message resinates with teens and young adults alike.
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.
You!
You! by Sandra Magsamen reminds the readers about their self-worth and encourage them to build their self-esteem through achieving their goals and counting their accomplishments. All the while it focuses on doing so while being YOU and following your path. And every kid, no matter how big or small, when ending a chapter of their life and beginning another can use a bit of this kind of encouragement. And so, this little book is yet another great choice for an end-of-the-year gift.
Look at life from
different pins of view.
Turn things upside down
if it suits you.
BONUS:
Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
This book by Dr. Seuss needs no introduction. The title says it all. It has been used by many parents a book for teachers to sign and to give as a gift to their kids for graduation. And remember to remind your graduate not to stay too long in “The Waiting Place”…
Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.
Did you find your favourite book on this list? Or maybe there is another book that you’d like to recommend? I’d love to hear from you in the comments…
