Graduation is coming up for kids of different ages and at different stages in their lives. Here are some great uplifting books to help celebrate this grand time and for all ages to learn from and enjoy.

I Can Be Anything, by Jerry Spinelli, and illustrated by Jimmy Liao, poses many unique and creative job and career possibilities of what you can become through rhyming fun. There’s the “barefooted hopper” and the “bubble gum popper” or how about a “deep-hole digger” and a “lemonade swigger”. The brightly painted watercolors, along with the brightly igniting ideas, will surely bring a smile to your face and possibly a desire in your heart!

So Many Days, by Alison McGee, and illustrated by Taeeun Yoo, is rich with all the magic and strength that lies within you. “Words will open our heart and kindness will open your soul. Air you breathe holds the breath of all things. You are hope that wants to take wing. You are stronger than you know.” The light hues of greens and blues make the illustrations match the sweet assurances of a promising future.

Weezer Changes the World, by David McPhail, is a simple story about a simple dog who suddenly changes to a very intelligent dog who teaches, instructs and edifies the world after lightning strikes him. But lightning strikes a second time, making him a normal dog again.  But did he help the world? This sweet story is painted with McPhail’s traditional soft colors and ink.

The Rabbit and the Turtle, Aesop’s fables retold and illustrated by Eric Carle, has 11 of his well known tales with the story on one side of the page and a full page illustration in Carle’s trademark style on the opposite side. The moral taught is found at the bottom of each story and is told briefly on a page. And the lessons taught can last a lifetime!

A Gift of Days:  The Greatest Words to Live By, by Stephen Alcorn, is a compilation of famous people who have impacted our lives and have made a difference. This large book, which contains over 100 pages, has these figures placed according to birthdates beginning with January. Some include J. R. R. Tolkien, Sir. Isaac Newton and Gladys Knight. Each has a simple statement of wisdom which will surely inspire and provide a year full of motivation.

Little Blue and Little Yellow, by Leo Lionni, is a classic story that was first published back in 1959 and still holds up with the beautiful message it conveys. Little Blue and Little Yellow are such good friends that when they hug, they become green. The lessons learned here are life lasting regarding tolerance and friendship.

Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya, by Donna Jo Napoli, and illustrated by Kadir Nelson, depicts a Kenyan woman, Mama Miti, who grew up in a land needing strength and help. Mama Miti, who won the Nobel Peace Prize a few years ago, helped families by having them plant a tree – one seed at a time. Napoli is one of my favorite authors and Nelson has to be one of the best illustrators on oil of our day.  In this book, he used an interesting combination of oil and fabric to showcase these Kenyan people. You’ll find a glossary of Kenyan terms, along with other information, found in the back of the book.

And finally, and most importantly, Virginia Hamilton: Speeches, Essays & Conversations, edited by Arnold Adoff and Kacy Cook.  This is a book geared for adults, but also has many insights for children and children’s’ authors. Ms. Hamilton was awarded the Newbery Medal, the Coretta Scott King Award and the National Book Award – to name a few. She gave many encouraging and uplifting speeches and wrote several essays about life and how to deal with life and live better . This encouraging book is one that should be on every home’s bookshelf.