The perfect way to commemorate any educational milestone—from kindergarten to college—is to pass along ideas and philosophies not covered on a school syllabus. Whether it’s a single book or a whole stack covering a variety of topics, you can reinforce the idea that learning is a lifelong pursuit. From thought-provoking to whimsical, books say something about the giver and the recipient. This graduation season, why not help your graduate start building a library for life?
FOR EVERY CHAPTER— KINDERGARTEN THROUGH COLLEGE
Oh, the Places You’ll Go
Dr. Seuss
Picture books are ageless. This Dr. Seuss classic hits all the right notes for graduates big and small. great as a standalone gift, or pair with a travel accessory like personalized luggage tags or a passport book cover.
What the Road Said
Cleo Wade
Popular Goop host and poet Cleo Wade’s inspiring picture book for ages six and up is a tale of perseverance along the journey of life instilling lessons on kindness and overcoming fear.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
Charlie Mackesy
With beautiful illustrations and moving words, this book is a printed hug. It follows the journey of four unlikely friends and is a heartwarming tale sure to touch all ages with lessons on hope and kindness.
The Little Prince
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
This classic 1943 novella is thought-provoking for all ages and deals with a range of themes from friendship to the loss of innocence. It’s available in a number of unique and beautiful releases, including the French-language version. No one is ever too old for the sheer joy of a pop-up book—and a delightful version is available.
WHERE TO START
What Now?
Ann Patchett
This essay in book form is based on the author’s Sarah Lawrence College commencement speech. It captures the questions and precipice young adults find themselves on upon graduation. As a special bonus, order an autographed copy from the author’s Nashville Parnassus bookstore. parnassusbooks.net
A Few Rules for Predicting the Future
Octavia E. Butlers
Available in a small gift- size edition, this short essay by science fiction author Octavia E. Butler, was originally published in Essence magazine in 2000. It discusses principles for shaping the future with a realistic and hopeful tone, emphasizing personal responsibility and the unpredictable nature of life. Pair with one of Butler’s other works like The Parable of the Sower.
Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life … and Maybe the World
William H. McRaven
Motivate graduates with wisdom from a former Navy SEAL. McRaven offers 10 life lessons based on his military career—small steps that create ripples and build momentum. Touching on concepts of leadership and resilience, this book is based on his 2014 University of Texas at Austin commencement speech.
The Happiness Project: One-Sentence Journal. A Five-Year Record
Gretchen Rubin
Many versions of similar one-sentence-a-day journals are available online and at most local bookstores. The idea here is simple: Get your young grads into the habit of writing a sentence a day, and at the end of the year—or five—they can look back to see how far they have come.
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
James Clear
With the book and the workbook, the author makes a case for setting up productive habits as the framework to a successful life. This bestselling self-help book uses a science-backed framework for building good habits through small changes called “atomic habits.” Inspire graduates to design an environment that makes success easier.
THINKING BIG
Meditations
Marcus Aurelius
Some ideas resonate for centuries as demonstrated by the consistent popularity of the ideas of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and the current interest in the philosophy of stoicism. Meditations is a collection of the emperor’s writings detailing his ideas, self-improvement exercises and reflections on living in harmony with nature.
How to Think Like a Roman Emperor
Donald Roberston
Combine Marcus Aurelius’s classic Meditations with a more modern-day approach to his philosophies with this book. It uses stories from Aurelius’s life and shows how to apply these ancient ideas in practical modern-day situations.
A WEALTH OF WISDOM
Get Good with Money: 10 Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole
Tiffany Aliche
This practical ten-step plan for achieving financial security and building wealth is a good starter for young earners.
Girls That Invest: Your Guide to Financial Independence Through Shares and Stocks
Simran Kaur
Gift this guide to understanding the stock market by decoding industry jargon. It also provides a step-by-step plan to invest and build financial freedom.
The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed and Happiness
Morgan House
Encourage young consumers to look at the psychology behind spending and earning. This book on money goes beyond typical math and formulas and examines the behavioral and psychological factors surrounding finance.
The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter— and How to Make the Most of Them Now
Meg Jay, PhD
This thoughtful book explores the importance of the decisions we make in our 20s. It has been out for a decade, but a revised edition containing new studies and information was released in 2021.
CREATIVE COURAGE
We Need Your Art: Stop F*ing Around and Make Something
Amie McNee
Inspire the creative thinkers in your life with this book that encourages grads to develop daily sustainable habits to battle procrastination, perfectionism and self-doubt. Featuring a two-week reset plan and journal prompts, it’s an excellent aid to help every graduate continue to create long after school ends.
The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for An Inspired Life
Suleika Jaouad
This bestselling author offers a meditation on the questions of life and a guide to the art of journaling. Gift it alone or pair it with her inspiring memoir about her battle with illness, Between Two Kingdoms: Memoir of a Life Interrupted.