Graduation is in the air and kids of all ages are getting ready to begin new phase in their lives. I've assembled some of the best and newest picture books that are good for all ages and that will help these graduates from kindergarten to college celebrate as they pursue and capture life.

Demi has two new books that are perfect for this time of year. The Magic Pillow allows a very poor boy to see into a possible future if his life is filled with wealth and power. What he discovers is that family and freedom are the true riches in this life. The beautiful artistry of gold and red are encompassed in circular frames throughout and Demi has used traditional paints in this old Chinese folktale. The Girl Who Drew a Phoenix, is Demi's most recent publication and also features the Chinese philosophy of living a virtuous life with clear sight, equality, generosity and correct judgment. The foldouts of the Phoenix feature Demi's uncanny ability to portray the beauty of Chinese art.

Seuss-isms and Seuss-isms for Success, by Dr. Seuss, are pocket-sized books suited for the graduate who wants to read something quickly, and to the point. Both books use teachable poems from the grand doctor himself making each a delightful, and often times humorous, perfect gift.

A Child's Garden: A Story of Hope, by Michael Foreman, is a wonderful story celebrating the human spirit and looking for the good on this earth. A young boy's town has been bombed and he now lives in the aftermath of rubble and broken concrete. As he looks through the wire fence at the soldiers far away, he sees a ray of life, a glimmer of hope – a plant. As he begins to nurse this tiny plant with water and love, his life and all that he knows, begins to sprout new hope. Foreman's combination of grayish to colorful watercolors (as the story progresses) creates the scenery felt distinctly by the reader!

And speaking of hope, Hope is an Open Heart, by Lauren Thompson celebrates through photographs, the simplicity and joyfulness of life. “Hope is the warmth of strong arms around you.” “Hope is remembering that you are not alone.” The complexities and difficulties of life begin to fall away as the most important things in life come into full view with this simple, yet powerful, book.

How to Heal a Broken Wing, by Bob Graham, is a wondrous book about the gift of healing, the gift of life and becoming selfless. In a city full of people, only one small boy notices a bird as it falls to the ground. He immediately begins to nurse it back to health and with the help of his mother, the wounded bird begins to heal. This sparsely written book holds great power in helping, caring and becoming sensitive to the needs of others.

The Beautiful Stories of Life: Six Greek Myths, Retold, by Cynthia Rylant, and illustrated by Carson Ellis, capture valuable lessons for ages ten and up to be learned through observing the foils of six famous myths. Pandora's curiosity got the best of her; Narcissus became obsessed with himself and Demeter's inability to let go of his grief as it takes over his life are but three of the six stories. Award winner Rylant gives us elicit accessible knowledge, along with black and white pictures sprinkled throughout, in this small-sized book.

If you're looking for an inexpensive paperback book, And Here's to You!, by David Elliott, and illustrated by Randy Cecil, is a celebratory book that creates an awareness of all that's great in this life and world. From nature to nurture, this story complements all that we have and need to always remember.

For the nervous types that have trepidation of the future, Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears, by Emily Gravett, will help dispel those anxious feelings. Through the many fears that Little Mouse experiences, the reader can learn to deal with, and even overcome, many of their own fears. The clever packaging with double-page spreads, fold-outs, maps and collages, of this book is to be treasured. (And check out the back inside covers.)

And for those dealing with friends left behind, On No! Time to Go! A Book of Goodbyes, by Rebecca Doughty, should extinguish, or at least diminish, the parting ways and moving on to other places or schools. This book hits the mark to help all ages deal with adjustment and help enlighten the understanding that life is always full of change.

The last two books deal's with the future. What's Your Red Rubber Ball?! Discover Your Inspiration and Chase it for a Lifetime, by Kevin Carroll, is an inventive way to look at all of the possibilities and successes that could be right around the corner. It's just a matter of using the unique talents that your child's been given and how to use them with a positive spin. And lastly, 10 Things I can do to Help My World, by Melanie Walsh, gives helpful hints of saving water, planting seeds and not wasting valuable assets from our earth. The book is full of eco-friendly tips with unique die-cut pages.