Forget the balloon bouquets and boxes of chocolates. These inspiring gift books make unique graduation presents, for preschoolers to college students to employees "graduating" to new jobs.

"Stonecutter" by Jon J. Muth and John Kuramoto; Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan; 100 pages; $14.99.

This small but thick gift book tells the unassuming, wise tale of an unfulfilled stonecutter who longs to be more powerful — he sets out to become a merchant, a high official, and even the sun and wind. But when he realizes that even the all-powerful wind can't move a stone, and the stone is strength personified, he turns back into himself.

A thoughtful and straightforward look at a man who travels to find out that what he really wants to be is exactly what he is, "Stonecutter" is a smart book for high school and college graduates.

Muth's Zen-like black and white brushstrokes are powerful, while Kuramoto's traditional Japanese folklore stays with the reader long after the book wears out. "Stonecutter" would also be a moving gift for a professional forced to take a lower paying job.

"Seuss-isms: Wise and Witty Prescriptions for Living from the Good Doctor" by Dr. Seuss; Random House; 28 pages; $7.99.

Dr. Seuss was certainly a leader before his time. (Remember the message from "The Lorax" about being kind to the environment?) In this small gift book, "the good doctor's" wisest and wittiest sayings about living are perfect for graduates.

From "Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?" come these grounding words: "Just tell yourself Duckie, you're really quite lucky! Some people are much more ... oh, ever so much more ... oh, muchly, much-much more unlucky than you!"

And the best is last, from "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" — "So be sure when you step, step with care and great tact and remember that life's a great balancing act. And will you succeed? Yes, you will, indeed! (98 and 1/4 percent guaranteed.)"

Also, in the same gift book vein, "Seuss-isms for Success: Inside Tips on Economic Health from the Good Doctor" is a timely, funny and tongue-in-cheek guide to help business-minded readers stay sharp in the corporate world.

"Three Cups of Tea: The Young Reader's Edition" by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin; Dial Books for Young Readers; 210 pages; $16.99.

By now you probably live under a rock if you haven't heard of Mortenson's biographical essay, subtitled "One Man's Journey to Change the World ... One Child at a Time." This No. 1 New York Times best-seller is about a mountain climber who stumbles into a poor Pakistan village, returning later to build schools throughout Pakistan and Afghanistan. "Three Cups of Tea" is fantastic proof that one ordinary person really can change the world for the better.

This version, aimed at kids ages 8 to 14, makes a fabulous elementary or middle school graduation present. Also available is the picture-book version, entitled "Listen to the Wind," with collages by Susan L. Roth.

"Good Luck Bear" by Greg Foley; Viking; 32 pages; $15.99.

From the creator of "Thank You Bear" and "Don't Worry Bear" comes another charming tot tale with attractively sparse pages and adorable animals. It's also a simple, smart story about finding luck in the unexpected. This surprise outcome occurs when Bear learns from his pals that a four-leaf clover is lucky, but after searching, finds a five-leaf clover instead.

A picture book that's brief, inspirational and charming, "Good Luck Bear" is one of my preschooler's favorites.

"Forever Young" by Bob Dylan; illustrated by Paul Rogers; Atheneum/Simon & Schuster; 32 pages; $17.99.

As hip as picture books go, Dylan's beloved 1974 song — made even cooler with Roger's retro funky illustrations — makes a great graduation gift for kids and adults. With vintage images inspired by classic Dylan songs and pieces of his life, including a hippy Dylan holding a sign that says "Dig Yourself," this book is indeed groovy.

What makes it inspirational? The song's lyrics, which include "May your wishes all come true," "May your hands always be busy, may your feet always be swift, may you have a strong foundation when the winds of changes shift," and "May you always be courageous, stand upright and be strong ... May you stay forever young."

To find out more about Lee Littlewood and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.