Books for Grads

The perfect gift to celebrate the places you've been with your readers!

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Oh, the Places You'll Go! By Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss’s wonderfully wise Oh, the Places You’ll Go! is the perfect gift to celebrate all of our special milestones—from graduations to birthdays and beyond!

From soaring to high heights and seeing great sights to being left in a Lurch on a prickle-ly perch, Dr. Seuss addresses life’s ups and downs with his trademark humorous verse and whimsical illustrations.

The inspiring and timeless message encourages readers to find the success that lies within, no matter what challenges they face. A perennial favorite and a perfect gift for anyone starting a new phase in their life!

The Wonderful Things You Will Be

The Wonderful Things You Will Be By Written and illustrated by Emily Winfield Martin

The New York Times bestseller that celebrates the dreams, acceptance, and love that parents have for their children . . . now and forever. This is the perfect heartfelt gift for kids of all ages, plus a great choice for baby showers, birthdays, graduations, and other new beginnings!

From brave and bold to creative and clever, Emily Winfield Martin's rhythmic rhyme expresses all the loving things that parents think of when they look at their children. With beautiful, lush illustrations and a stunning gatefold that opens at the end, this is a book that families will love reading over and over. 

The Wonderful Things You Will Be has a loving and truthful message that will endure for lifetimes and makes a great gift to the ones you love for any occasion.

Everything I Need To Know I Learned From a Little Golden Book

Everything I Need To Know I Learned From a Little Golden Book By Diane Muldrow

Filled with humorous, practical tips for getting the most out of life, this Little Golden Book "guide to life" is the perfect keepsake gift to celebrate birthdays and other new beginnings and milestones for readers of any age who cherish the classic little books with the gold foil spines!

This humorous guide offers advice for getting the most out of life, the Little Golden Book way! Drawn from beloved classics like The Poky Little Puppy, We Help Mommy, and many more classics,  important lessons such as "Remember to stop and smell the strawberries," "Don't forget to enjoy your wedding," and "Be a hugger" are paired with iconic images by Richard Scarry, Eloise Wilkin, Mary Blair, Garth Williams, and more. 

The Phantom Tollbooth

The Phantom Tollbooth By Norton Juster; illustrated by Jules Feiffer

With almost 5 million copies sold 60 years after its original publication, generations of readers have now journeyed with Milo to the Lands Beyond in this beloved classic. Enriched by Jules Feiffer’s splendid illustrations, the wit, wisdom, and wordplay of Norton Juster’s offbeat fantasy are as beguiling as ever. 

“Comes up bright and new every time I read it . . . it will continue to charm and delight for a very long time yet. And teach us some wisdom, too.” --Phillip Pullman

For Milo, everything’s a bore. When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he drives through only because he’s got nothing better to do. But on the other side, things seem different. Milo visits the Island of Conclusions (you get there by jumping), learns about time from a ticking watchdog named Tock, and even embarks on a quest to rescue Rhyme and Reason. Somewhere along the way, Milo realizes something astonishing. Life is far from dull. In fact, it’s exciting beyond his wildest dreams!

Junie B. Jones #17: Junie B. Jones Is a Graduation Girl

Junie B. Jones #17: Junie B. Jones Is a Graduation Girl By Barbara Park; illustrated by Denise Brunkus

“Hilarious. Barbara Park makes reading fun.” —Dav Pilkey, author of Dog Man
 
Meet the world's funniest kindergartener, Junie B. Jones, as she gets ready to become the world's funniest first grader! Barbara Park’s #1 New York Times bestselling chapter book series has been keeping kids laughing—and reading—for more than twenty-five years. Over 65 million copies sold! 

It’s kindergarten graduation, and Room Nine is getting bright white graduation gowns. Mrs. says to keep them in their boxes until the big day. But Junie B. Jones just can’t help herself. Then—uh-oh!—an accident happens! Will graduation be a spotty dotty disaster?

Wonder

Wonder By R. J. Palacio

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Millions of people have fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary facewho shows us that kindness brings us together no matter how far apart we are. Read the book that inspired the Choose Kind movement, a major motion picture, and the critically acclaimed graphic novel White Bird.

And don't miss R.J. Palacio's highly anticipated new novel, Pony, available now!

I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.
 
August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. Beginning from Auggie’s point of view and expanding to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others, the perspectives converge to form a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope.

R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a meditation on kindness” —indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.

A Letter to My Teacher

A Letter to My Teacher By Deborah Hopkinson; illustrated by Nancy Carpenter

This funny, touching picture book celebrates the difference a good teacher can make. Written as a thank-you note to a special teacher from the student who never forgot her, this moving story makes a great classroom read-aloud, and a perfect back-to-school gift for students  and teachers!

Dear Teacher, Whenever I had something to tell you, I tugged on your shirt and whispered in your ear. This time I’m writing a letter.

So begins this heartfelt picture book about a girl who prefers running and jumping to listening and learning—and the teacher who gently inspires her. From stomping through creeks on a field trip to pretending to choke when called upon to read aloud, this book’s young heroine would be a challenge to any teacher. But this teacher isn’t just any teacher. By listening carefully and knowing just the right thing to say, she quickly learns that the girl’s unruly behavior is due to her struggles with reading. And at the very end, we learn what this former student is now: a teacher herself.

From award winning author Deborah Hopkinson and acclaimed illustrator Nancy Carpenter, this picture book is made to be treasured by both those who teach and those who learn.

Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!

Hooray for Diffendoofer Day! By Dr. Seuss with some help from Jack Prelutsky & Lane Smith

Started by Dr. Seuss, finished by Jack Prelutsky, and illustrated by Lane Smith, Hooray for Diffendoofer Day! is a joyous ode to individuality starring unsinkable teacher Miss Bonkers and the quirky Diffendoofer School (which must prove it has taught its students how to think--or have them sent to dreary Flobbertown). Included is an introduction by Dr. Seuss's longtime editor explaining how the book came to be and reproductions of Dr. Seuss's original pencil sketches and hand-printed notes for the book—a true find for all Seuss collectors!  Jack Prelutsky and Lane Smith pay homage to the Good Doctor in their own distinctive ways, the result of which is the union of three one-of-a-kind voices in a brand-new, completely original book that is greater than the sum of its parts. For all of us who will never forget our school days and that special teacher, here is a book to give and to get.

Love the Fur You're In (Sesame Street)

Love the Fur You're In (Sesame Street) By Random House

Wise and witty advice from Sesame Street--perfect for graduation gifts, commencement speeches, or anyone looking to celebrate Sesame Street's 50th anniversary!

Brought to you by Sesame Street and illustrated with 50 years of art from Sesame Street children's books, this is a wise and funny guide to life that's just right for fans of all ages, especially those who grew up with Sesame Street!

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 someone's Super Grover!"--and much, much more.

The rich, full-color art showcases classic characters such as Big Bird, Grover, Oscar, Ernie, Bert, Elmo, Cookie Monster, the Count--as well as Prairie Dawn, Betty Lou, Biff and Sully, Sherlock Hemlock, Guy Smiley, and others.

The illustrations offer a look back across five decades of Sesame Street book art and give readers the opportunity to remember or discover a wide range of nostalgic art styles that took Sesame Street beyond television--and into the hands of generations of young book lovers.

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sesame Street--a truly iconic part of our culture and an indelible part of growing up--with this gem of a book!

My Book About Me By ME Myself

My Book About Me By ME Myself By Dr. Seuss; illustrated by Roy McKie

Tell your own story with a little help from Dr. Seuss in this DIY dream activity book that's all about YOU! A perfect gift to celebrate a new school year, birthdays, milestones and all the amazing things YOU accomplish!

How tall are YOU? How many teeth do YOU have? Where do YOU live? What do YOU like to eat?

Kids will answer these questions and more, celebrating their unique selves while creating their very own biographies in this classic activity book from Dr. Seuss, illustrated by Roy Mckie. With fill-in-the-blanks, lists, check boxes, and drawing prompts, this book allows readers to write and draw right on the fun-filled pages! From the number of freckles you have, to the kind of house you live in, to the silly animal sounds you can make, Dr. Seuss guides kids through an interactive reading experience with a creative spark. The perfect gift for special birthdays or for year-round fun, this book will hold special memories long after it's filled in.

Random House Teachers and Librarians