Oh The Places They’ll Go!

At this time of year as the school year is coming to a close, we are usually thinking about gifts for teachers.  Make no mistake, we certainly believe they deserve our admiration and appreciation.  But today we have a different gift idea that we think any parent or grandparent will love knowing about.Many of you no doubt know of the Dr. Seuss book Oh! The Places You’ll Go.  We have done posts on this charming book in the past.  It makes for a lovely graduation or promotion gift for any student.  Today however, we are recommending you buy it, and gift it, in a different way.  My daughter heard of the idea to get a copy of this book for each of her children and each year, without each child’s knowledge, have their teachers write them a note of encouragement.  Then when they finally reach 12th grade and graduate from high school, she’ll give the book to them when they graduate.

We think this is a lovely and meaningful gift for any child or grandchild.  You surely know how much your Two Chums value a handwritten note, so this is a book full of them.  Of course the idea is to keep the book, and the notes, a secret until your child graduates.  And ideally you would start this process in kindergarten, or even in preschool.  But it is never too late to start it.  If your child is already far along in school you can even go back to some former teachers who you know remember your child and ask them to write a quick message.  Here is an example of some sweet notes from preschool teachers to my granddaughter Georgiana:

I can only imagine the delight and joy any child would feel reading such loving notes from the people who helped shape their futures.  It is a lovely way to send them off on their next of life’s adventures.  And…Oh The Places They’ll Go!!!