Is it too early to be thinking about graduation presents? Um, totally not. Especially since this one is years in the making. I first saw this idea online somewhere last year, and then it popped up again (and reminded me about it) on Pinterest. As a huge fan of Dr. Seuss in the base case, any gift that involves one of his stories is a sure-fire hit. At least with me. And this book happens to be one of my favorites, right up there with Green Eggs and Ham.
But this gift is more than just gifting Oh the Places You’ll Go. See, you buy it when your child first starts school, and every year, you have their teachers write a note in it and sign it. So when you finally present it on their college graduation day, it will be filled with words of wisdom from some very important people who they met and learned from along the way. Coolest idea ever, right?
I started it last year for Madeline, and have another one for Nick. It’s not too late for you!
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.
You’ll look up and down streets. Look ’em over with care.
About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.”
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you’re too smart to go down any not-so-good street.
And you may not find any
you’ll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you’ll head straight out of town.
It’s opener there
in the wide open air.
Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.
And then things start to happen,
don’t worry. Don’t stew.
Just go right along.
You’ll start happening too.
OH!
THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!
You’ll be on y our way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.
You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.
You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
Want more Dr. Seuss?
We celebrated Dr. Seuss’ birthday in March.
And fish cookies to celebrate, back when Nick was 3-1/2.
Wow that is an awesome idea! Definitely doing this with my very future children.
PS – is it weird that reading through that just made me cry? I don’t know what’s wrong with me this morning. I think I need this on my wall.
Such a cool idea! I got that for a graduation present and had it displayed in my bookcase until recently. GREAT idea!
What a great idea!!
And you never told me!!!! I’m so going to start that.
Love this idea!
My brother Eric has been teaching high school advanced cal for years and has been reading this book to his class on their last days of high school and brought the students (some) to tears but all have left high school with a great sense of being important…no matter what they choose in life to do….Great Book…
Love this! I used the 2nd paragraph in a program for high school graduation (the school sells ad space) for both my sons. <3